Dual Enrollment: Getting a Jump on College

Dual enrollment, also known in some areas as concurrent enrollment, allows students to take courses that count for both high school and college credit. High school students who take dual enrollment courses will generally take fewer classes in college as they’ve already completed some areas of their education, which often leads to saving money.

Requirements vary by state, but typically a student must be a junior or senior in high school and maintain a minimum GPA. The types of classes vary by school district, but generally, many districts offer introductory courses in humanities, English, math, social studies, and science.

It’s important to know that dual enrollment is not the same as Advanced Placement^® (AP^®) courses. The main difference between the two is that college professors teach dual enrollment classes on a college campus or online. Students who pass the course will receive credit, but there is no guarantee that the college you attend will accept the credit. Typically, students attending in-state public schools have greater success in their credits being accepted than those attending out-of-state or private colleges.

AP^® classes are taught at high schools by high school teachers. For a student to earn credit, they must receive a minimum score determined by the college they plan on attending on a standardized test.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of dual enrollment? Check out the story of how a K12 Private Academy student was able to succeed in the program.

K12 Private Academy Student Gets a Taste of College

Starting college can be very daunting. I know it was for me! But some students get an early jump on it by taking college courses while still in high school. We call this dual enrollment.

While challenging K12 Private Academy student Jasmine Chuah is happy she’s doing it. Thanks to her college courses, she has decided to major in political science, which she may not have otherwise decided on before entering college. And now, she has taken two classes that will allow her to get ahead once she starts college. She’s also excited that she has gained a sneak preview of what college courses are all about.

Are your kids looking to get ahead like Jasmine? Check out the top 5 ways to get an early start on college.