Earn College Credit as a High School Student

As the end of school approaches, Hancock Central High School rising juniors and seniors will have the unique opportunity to enroll in dual enrollment classes with Sandersville Technical College. The classes are offered at the Sandersville Technical College’s Hancock County Center, and students will receive high school and college credit.

Front Row (L to R):  Eunicia Cawthon, Instructor, Ambernecia Warren, Mary Hobbs;  Kandis Giles, Zelda Grier, Brittney Wilson, April Wright . Back Row (L to R):  JameWatkins; Avery Greene; Micquvial Clark, Jeremy Fluellen; Jasmine Birdsong; Charisa Harris, Lucious Warren, Hancock Central Vocational Instructor. (Not pictured:  Eugene Barnes)

The class areas will be Certified Nurse Assisting, Early Childhood Care and Education, and Computer Information Systems. At the end of their senior year, the students will graduate high school and will receive a Technical Certificate of Credit from Sandersville Technical College.

Students can benefit from dual enrollment classes whether they are entering the workforce, attending a two-year college, attending a technical college, or attending a four-year college. Those students who choose to enter the workforce after high school will have a credential from a technical college, will be more likely to receive employment, and will be prepared for a career.

Upon graduation, students that attended a technical college will have a head start by shortening the amount of time it takes to complete their diploma or degree credits.

Those students who are entering a two-year or four-year college will have a head start on their classmates as well. These students will have employable skills to find part-time work while attending college.

According to a study performed by the University of Georgia on the success of dual enrollment students, 91% of the dual enrollment students received an A, B, or C in those classes. In the college setting, 81% of the dual enrollment students were more successful in college and were more likely to graduate college than students without prior college experience. 75% of the dual enrollment students required no academic assistance when they attended a two-year or four-year college.

The benefits of dual enrollment extend to all high school students. The future paths those students choose may be different, but the rewards are still great.

To find out more information about dual enrollment opportunities at Sandersville Technical College, please contact STC’s Dual Enrollment Coordinator Michele Strickland at 478-553-2098, STC’s Hancock County Center Director Brenda Warren at 706-444-1253, or HCHS’s CTAE Director Mr. Lucius Warren 706-444-7009.

(2007, May 10). Sparta Ishmaelite, p7.