Concurrent Enrollment and Your Teen

Concurrent Enrollment and your Teen

What is concurrent enrollment? (also known a dual enrollment)

Credit hours earned when a high school student takes a college course for both high school and college credit, during high school.

Let's discuss some reasons why high school students should take advantage, opportunities and experiences that concurrent enrollment offers. as well as reasons why these opportunities may not benefit them.

It's essential to weigh these pros and cons before enrolling in these courses.

High school students in both public school and homeschool have the option to participate in concurrent enrollment, also knowns as dual credit courses. These courses can be found online or at college and universities, as well as in some private and public high schools and can provide an excellent opportunity for students to begin their college education while they are still in high school.

Before you enroll your teen in one or more of these classes, here are some important fact about concurrent enrollment, courses that you need to know.

In concurrent enrollment classes, your teen will experience college academics first-hand: read a college textbook, take college exams, write college papers, and learn how much studying is needed to pass a college class. CE classes are taught by college instructors.

Why should your teen take these courses?

Here are a six reasons for your teen to take concurrent enrollment courses.

• Earn College Credit: Your teen will receive one high school credit hour for each concurrent enrollment class passed thus earning college credit while in high school.
• Faster Graduation: Concurrent enrollment can speed up a student's path to a degree. Possibly speeding up the high school graduation as well as college graduation.
• Save Money: Less time and credits needed once they enter college which can lower the costs of college and hopefully, the amount of time in college. (that's if they don't change majors 3 times, the national average!)
• Boost High School Transcript: Your teen’s transcripts will get quite a boost with the inclusion of college classes. Not only does a college class show their academic ability but it helps the skeptic who might wonder if your transcript, done by mom or dad, shows grades that were actually earned.
• College-Readiness: This experience will help equip them with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a higher education setting.
• Diverse Course Options: Teens can explore a wide range of subjects and interests through concurrent enrollment, allowing them to tailor their education to their passions and future career goals. Whether it's advanced mathematics, foreign languages, or specialized fields, the opportunities are endless.

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Because concurrent enrollment classes are rigorous courses, taught by college professors at a college level, consider the following before enrolling your student.

• Is your student academically ready?
• Is your child hoping to receive an academic scholarship? Remember, these classes will count as part of their high school GPA. College courses can be quite challenging and could possibly lower their high school GPA, hurting their chance of receiving an academic scholarship. But if your teen does well, it will boost his GPA.

Although the benefits are many, it is very important to weigh the benefits and disadvantages before enrolling your student.

Concurrent enrollment is a remarkable opportunity for teenagers to get a head start on their college education and personal development. It not only saves time and money but also equips them with the skills and experiences they need to succeed in the increasingly competitive world of higher education and the job market.

Through concurrent enrollment in our homeschool, my teens spent their senior year primarily taking dual enrollment courses. This class schedule allowed them to alos focus on strengthening the skills they intended to use after graduation, while earning both high school and college credit simultaneously.

Unlock new academic horizons with Dual Enrollment Classes offered through a collaborative partnership between True North Homeschool Academy and Excelsior and University of the Incarnate Word.

Science

Foreign Language

History

Electives

Math English

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Earn high school and college credits simultaneously. Whether you teen choses college or not. The experience of dual enrollment will hep them mature.