Dual Enrollment and Christian Schools
Does Dual Enrollment Help or Hurt?
As the world of higher education continues to become more and more competitive, many students are left wondering how they can get ahead and make their mark on the applications process. One way many students are working to improve their college experience is to begin taking courses before they ever step on a college campus. The world of dual enrollment college courses is one of academic excellence and major accessibility for students willing to put in the work and take advantage of the opportunity. As more schools hop on board with the idea of dual enrollment, many students are left wondering if taking these kinds of classes is the right move for them.
What exactly is Dual Enrollment?
Dual enrollment classes are classes that are taken in conjunction with both high schools and colleges. There are many ways that this process can work and the actual schedule usually differs per high school and college. Usually, students will either take college courses online while still attending high school. They may even take colleges at a local campus while still attending their regular high school campus. Some high schools also have special agreements which allows them to teach college courses to students from the comfort of their own high school.
While specifications for dual enrollment vary per school, Bayshore Christian School dictates that dual enrolled students must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher and have completed the HCC dual enrollment application with Hillsborough Community College. Students who satisfy these requirements and successfully complete a dual enrollment course will be allocated three college credits for each course taken.
Perks of participating in Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment offers a variety of perks for both students and parents alike.
- Prepares for College Life
It’s important to remember that these are actual college courses that your student will be taking. This gives them the opportunity to experience the demand level of college courses before fully committing to going. After a small taste of college life, students will be better prepared to handle the curriculum to come after high school graduation.
- Accumulate College Credit
One of the biggest reasons that many high school students elect to take dual enrollment courses in the first place is for the promise of getting college credit towards their degree. This process can help your student save both time and money once they embark on their college journey.
- Exploring Academic and Professional Passions
Another great benefit for students looking to take dual enrollment courses is the amount of opportunity there is for exploration. Students can branch out and begin exploring academic subjects that they’re truly interested in. Studies show that most college students will change their major at least once during their 4 year university career. Making strides now to figure out what your student is interested in can help save them from pressure and major career altering decisions in the long run.
Cons of participating in Dual Enrollment
As with anything in life, there are a few inevitable cons to participating in dual enrollment programs.
- The time requirement
High school is already a demanding time for a child. With advanced classes, extracurriculars, and all the normal stresses that come with being a teenager, many students don’t have the time to dedicate to dual enrollment classes. Whether experienced online or in person, dual enrollment courses are full fledged college courses, with all the homework and hours of study to accompany them.
- Marks to your student’s academic record
Dual enrollment classes are no joking matter. The grades your child gets from these courses (no matter what they are) will go on their permanent academic record for both their high school and prospective colleges to see. It’s highly important to make sure that your student understands the stakes of taking dual enrollment courses and to ensure that they are in a good enough academic space to do so. Failure to pass a dual enrollment course could not only mean a mark on their academic record, it could also affect your student’s graduation timeline or their potential acceptance at their desired universities.
- Loss of credits upon acceptance
When many people think of transferring credits, they usually assume you’re talking about university to university credit transfers. In fact, when your student takes dual enrollment courses during high school, they’re not always guaranteed that these credits will transfer to their desired institution. Some schools combat this by offering specific programs that partner with local colleges to ensure that credits will transfer seamlessly. However, if your student is looking to go to college out of state or if they’re still on the fence about dual enrollment, getting confirmation from their desired university is always a good idea if they’re planning on transferring credits after graduation. The same situation goes for AP classes and any other courses that students expect to receive credit for upon being accepted into university.
So, is Dual Enrollment right for my child?
In order to answer this question, students and their families are invited to take a closer look at their own personal situation. Ask yourself and your student the following questions if you’re still struggling to decide which path is right for them.
What are my student’s goals?
One major thing to look at when deciding if dual enrollment courses are right for your child is to consider their future educational and professional goals. If they’re not sure about what they’d like to major in, taking a college course can help them find their passion. Likewise, if they’re not sure they even want to go to college, taking this kind of class can give them a look at what a real life university class may look like.
Is my student passionate about going to college/learning this specific subject?
It’s highly imperative that the decision to take dual enrollment courses ultimately falls on your student. They’ll be the ones that actually have to follow through and make the grades. It’s important to consider their input and be supportive of their decisions regarding their own academic future.
What are my student’s goals while in high school?
It’s important to make sure that dual enrollment courses won’t affect your child’s progress and overall enjoyment of their high school experience. As we referenced above, high school is already a busy time for students and some teens simply don’t have the time to participate in yet another activity (especially one of this demanding caliber).
The world of dual enrollment courses can be a highly enriching space for your child to learn and grow as they continue their educational experience. While a great opportunity for some, dual enrollment courses aren’t for everyone. The success of these programs truly depend on each student and their own personal situation.