Dual credit classes are classes that students can take while still in high school to receive college credit, in addition to high school credit. Choosing to participate in dual credit classes brings many advantages to students.
Students taking dual credit classes have a major advantage. Receiving college credit while still in high school will help students manage their future college course schedule with less stress. Students become aware of how much work they will have at the college level, as well as the type of assignments they will be asked to complete. Senior Yoselin Rivas said, “I’m glad to be able to have the advantage of learning about the style of college classes and receiving college credit while still in high school. It makes me feel further ahead.”
While earning college credit is an important advantage that dual credit classes offer, many students feel that the experience gained from the dual credit classes is more valuable. Senior Aubrey Green said, “Dual credit English helps me gain writing experience for future writing assignments.”
Matt Schosser has taught dual credit English 101 and 102 for several years. Schosser has seen firsthand the benefits of dual enrollment courses. “They give you an idea of how a college class operates in the day to day sense of things. You should leave with some understanding of what the expectations are, and how they will change once you leave high school. In my class, there are fewer assignments, which means the stakes for those assignments are quite a bit higher. Most importantly though, it allows you to take small steps forward in a familiar environment, meaning that you can try college things while still in high school.”
Independence is also gained from taking dual credit classes in high school. It gives students who take these classes the opportunity to work at their own pace and to learn time management. Rivas explained, “I enjoy the freedom of writing on my own time. We have due dates, but they are usually long periods of time before an assignment is due, so I don’t feel pressured to have my writing done as soon as possible. This gives me more thinking time, which I feel like improves my writing.”
A dual credit schedule can look different, depending on the needs of students. Some students may want to try a single dual credit course to get comfortable with college level systems. Others may choose to dive right in and have a full-time load of dual credit classes as a senior. GCHS currently offers dual credit classes for English, math and history on its campus, but if students want more opportunities beyond those three offerings, they have the ability to attend class in person at schools like BCTC, Midway, Georgetown College, or to choose an online course.
Many families like the financial benefit that comes to high school students that choose dual credit courses. The state of Kentucky offers a scholarship to juniors and seniors that allows students to cover the majority or all of the cost for two dual enrollment courses a year.
Dual credit classes are all around a good opportunity students should take advantage of if given the chance. It will help them prepare for their future, gain experience and independence. For more information on dual credit options, students are encouraged to contact their school guidance counselor.
