Imagine earning college credits while still in high school. It sounds like something far in the future, but it is actually a possibility for your child who is currently enrolled in secondary education. It also may seem like something so far in the future. However, things happen faster, and your child’s education may be going by faster than you remembered your own days in elementary, middle and high school. This is why you need to start working with your young student to plan now because his or her academic future may be here sooner than you expect.
At Dade Prep Academy, our academic and guidance staffs are here to help you and your child get ready for college if that is the path they have chosen. We will let you know about the opportunities they have here, including the ability to earn college credits while enrolled in our school. This will help them forge a path for their academic careers with an eye toward future employment in the field that interests them the most.
Why earn college credits in high school?
You and your student may be wondering why you should consider earning college credits while still in high school. It is true that today’s high school curriculum can be quite challenging on its own. It is crucial that your child focus on his or her studies to earn the best grades possible in their classes. However, one thing that sets high school apart from elementary and middle schools is the more specific class choices students have, especially as they move along in the process. This allows them to move toward a field of study that interests them, and which may also dovetail with their future career paths.
The ability to earn college credits helps you get a leg up on your career path. For example, if you are considering a career in healthcare or medicine, then having earned college credits in classes like chemistry or biology may give you an entrance into these college majors before you even arrive at the university of your choice. It may also enable you to complete prerequisite classes, such as introduction to economics or basic college first year English composition.
Similarly, in order to graduate college and earn your bachelor’s diploma, you are going to need to successfully complete a large number of course credits. If can earn a number of credits while still in college, you may be able to reduce the time you need to finish your college degree. It is not unheard of for some people to enter college having already completed a semester or two beforehand. This means that you can get your degree sooner, saving you both time and money. Considering that the cost of even public universities has gone up over the years, this can be a big savings indeed.
Advanced Placement Classes
One of the most common ways to earn college credits during high school is by taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes. These are high school classes that involve a more comprehensive, college level curriculum. While they are more challenging than standard classes, they come with the added benefit of providing the opportunity for college credits for students who successfully complete the final exam.
The AP final examination is a little different from your standard grading system. Where other tests are graded either numerically from 1 to 100 or alphabetically from A to F, the AP test has a range from 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest score. In order to earn credits, the student will need to score at least a 3 on the final exam. However, this depends on the college or university where they enroll. Some are more liberal in giving out credits for AP exams than others. While the usual successful AP course will give a student 4 college credits, others that are more involved like Chemistry and Mathematics may allow them to earn up to 8 credits, again depending on the college.
The program has grown substantially over the years. Where 40 years ago the only classes were Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, American History, English, and Foreign Languages, today there are AP classes offered in Art History, Comparative Government, Economics, Music Theory, Statistics, and even Computer Science. You should check with your guidance department to see which classes are offered in your high school.
College Level Examination Program
Another way to earn college credits while in high school is through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). These are 34 different exams covering college level introductory classes. This is similar to AP in that you need to achieve a certain score in order to earn college credits. However, unlike AP, CLEP is not done through your high school. It also doesn’t involved a structured course of study. Instead, there are testing centers where you apply and take the exam at a fee of $90 per class. The student then prepares for the exams through self study. This fee is significantly less than you will pay for college credits, even at a community college. CLEP credits are accepted at over 2,900 colleges and universities across the country. If you are considering one of these colleges, then getting some credits through CLEP may be worth it for you.
Summer Programs
A number of colleges and universities offer summer classes to high school students. One of the most famous is the Cornell Summer at Cornell University. High School students from across America go to Cornell for six weeks where they live in the college dorms and take a number of different college classes. However, this option can be quite expensive and may not make sense for students here in Florida. Fortunately, a number of other universities offer their summer classes for high school students through distance learning. This is where the students complete the classes on-line through Zoom or other software. This can be a fun way to stay academically engaged during the summer, while also getting college credits from some of the leading universities in America.
International Baccalaureate and Cambridge AICE programs
Two other groups that offer the opportunity for college credits are the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) classes. These two organizations provide classes in various subjects, which high school students can take. Like CLEP, these are done independently of their high schools. So, this is not like AP classes. At the end of the coursework, students take a series of exams that allow them to earn credits that be used toward a bachelor’s degree at most colleges and universities.
Dual Enrollment
With the other options, the high school student is taking classes designed for students at their level to earn college credits in a preparatory method. Dual enrollment is completely different. Here, the student enrolls in one or more classes at a local community college, while still enrolled in high school. So, while he or she is still working toward their high school diploma, they are also taking actual college classes. The benefit of this is that they can complete one or more semesters of college before enrolling as a full time college student. The main drawback is that it will put increasing time pressure on the student’s already busy schedule. You should consult with your guidance counselor before embarking on dual enrollment.
Getting ready for your future
If your child is strongly considering enrolling in college after graduation, then earning college credits while still in high school can be a good idea. This will give them credits towards their college degree before they enroll. It will also help them place out of a number of prerequisite classes. It can even help them decide on a course of study for their college years. At Dade Prep, we will work with you and your student to give you the resources you need so your child can earn college credits while still in high school.
Sources:
https://thebestschools.org/resources/how-to-earn-college-credits-in-high-school/
