Thursday, December 17, 2020

Get a Jump Start on College with FREE Dual Enrollment at Your Local California Community College

There has never been a better time for high school students to get a head start on their college plans and take advantage of the dual enrollment classes offered at your local community college.

Dual enrollment allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credit for community college courses completed while still in high school. 

Here are a list of courses at Southwestern College that can count towards high school graduation credits.  A maximum of 6 college courses can count towards SUHSD graduation.

These courses can count toward a student’s high school diploma AND toward their college degree or certificate. This helps all students create a seamless pathway to college – no matter what their plans may be. And, dual enrollment courses are FREE to most high school juniors and seniors (criteria may vary so reach out to your local college for more information).

Taking college courses in high school also promotes college readiness and can make the transition from high school to college easier. Dual enrollment courses give students exposure to college level course work and expectations, helping to boost their confidence that college is within their reach. In fact, our data shows that students who take at least one college course in high school are more likely to succeed once they get to college. It’s a win-win!

Dual enrollment courses enable high school students who take them to graduate with college credits completed toward their degree or certificate so they can finish college, get into the workforce and start earning money sooner after high school graduation. And, since students who earn a degree or certificate from a California community college nearly double their earnings within three years, community college is a smart investment with big financial benefits over time.

If you’re interested in exploring your dual enrollment options, please reach out and your counselor will be happy to share more information. In the meantime, you can learn more about the California Community Colleges in this digital brochure. It highlights degree options, career training programs and student support services to help you succeed in reaching your goals.

As always, please feel free to reach out to your counselors for help with college planning and to discuss the educational options at our local community college(s).