Dual Enrollment creates an opportunity to receive both high school and college credit. It allows high schoolers to complete college coursework before they have graduated, and provides students with a glimpse into the college experience. According to Costa’s Dual Enrollment Counselor, Alyssa Skipper, dual enrollment courses are instructed by a faculty member of a community college or by an approved high school teacher.
If high school students want to fulfill their credits, get ahead in particular courses, or take classes that are not currently available at Costa, dual enrollment is a pathway which allows students to do so. Costa’s upcoming partnership with El Camino College will allow students to enroll in courses at both schools simultaneously.
“Dual enrollment is defined as a student who is enrolled as a high school student and a community college student at the same time,” Skipper said. “We are able to do this by classes that are taught on our campus, or by a student going off campus to take a class at the community college.”
Courses are available in person and online, and can be taken any time of year at any community college in California. El Camino offers two, six-week,summer sessions during which students can recieve a maximum of 8.0 college units.
“In terms of GPA we do not currently give a bump that you would receive in an AP or an honors class,” Skipper said. “If it is an approved course which would be considered a yearlong class at Costa, it gets you ten credits. If it’s something that is a one semester class then you would get five credits.”
There are no enrollment fees, but students have to purchase any necessary instructional materials. This is
an affordable alternative to expensive courses offered by other programs such as UC Scout or Fusion.
“The price factor is definitely a nice benefit,” Skipper said. “But also the rigor aspect of it is really important. There is a big difference when colleges see a community college course and a course taken elsewhere through a non-Costa high school program. Still, both are great options for completing requirements to apply to college.”
Costa recently organized a parent informational webinar and discussed the update to Costa’s Dual Enrollment Policy. This school year marked the first year that Costa’s three Engineering Pathway courses were approved, and next year will be the first time that Years 1 and 2 of Biotechnology will be approved as well.
“While students are welcome to take any course of their choosing off campus, only certain approved courses will be added to the Costa transcript for high school credit,” Skipper said. “Approved summer advancement courses that are equivalent to a course already offered at Costa are allowed for all grade levels. Approved enrichment courses that are not equivalent to a course already offered at Costa can also take the place of 1 class period at Costa for juniors and seniors.”
More information can be found on the new Dual Enrollment tab on the MCHS website. Costa sophomore Naomi Dimalanta completed her dual enrollment registration and will begin her courses this month.
“I wanted to take an extra class but I didn’t have any room in my schedule for another advanced class,” Dimalanta said. “I’m taking Physics 11 and 12 over the summer through El Camino. It will give me a sense of what a real college class is like and I am so grateful and excited for the opportunity.”
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