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What should high school students consider?
Nearly one-third of the high school Class of 2025 — 165,000 students — earned college credits through their local community college during their time in high school.
Over the past seven decades, programs have allowed students to enroll in community college classes and have a head start on completing college credits. In the past few years, the number of high school students participating in these programs nationwide has skyrocketed to 2.5 million students.
In California, students generally select from two paths: concurrent enrollment and dual enrollment.
Dual enrollment classes are offered at a student’s high school campus, taught in-person by either a college professor or a high school teacher who meets the community college’s credential requirements. All dual enrollment classes count for high school and college credit — students are typically not responsible for any fees.
Some schools have established dedicated dual enrollment pathways for students to complete the requirements for an associate’s degree upon graduating from high school.
Concurrent enrollment classes are taught fully asynchronously, virtually or in-person at the local community college by a college professor. Students are typically expected to cover textbook and other student fees. Only some classes will additionally count for high school credit.
College credits earned through dual or concurrent enrollment will generally transfer to the University of California or California State University systems, as long as the classes have been approved for transfer through existing agreements between the institutions.
However, whether the college credits will transfer to out-of-state or private schools depends on the institution.
Students who take Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes have to pass an exam to receive college credit. Although the type of credit or placement varies by institution, AP and IB scores are generally more widely recognized across public, private and out-of-state schools compared to in-state transfer agreements for dual/concurrent enrollment classes.
Both AP and IB exams cost around $100 without fee waivers, meaning dual and concurrent enrollment can be a cheaper alternative for college credit if a student passes a class, rather than relying on one exam.
Things to Consider
Although these programs can be an enticing opportunity for high school students to get a head start on earning college credits, there are several considerations for students deciding whether the classes are right for them.
First of all, these classes all award college credit, meaning grades will permanently affect students’ college transcripts and GPAs.
Given that in-person class times may heavily overlap with a high school schedule, students should consider if they’re prepared for classes that may be taught remotely or asynchronously. Furthermore, a high school curriculum spanning an entire school year may be condensed into a single semester.
Some high schools are increasingly offering dual enrollment classes during the school day on their campus. For example, students can take health, government or English classes throughout the school year with their high school teachers, ensuring they’ll still receive structured, in-class support in lieu of a virtual class format.
Secondly, some students may believe that taking virtual, four- to eight-week classes over the summer can help quickly eliminate their high school graduation requirements. However, students should only take these classes if they’re willing to remain dedicated and intrinsically motivated to engage with the material.
Still, concurrent enrollment classes can be an opportunity for students to explore classes in fields not offered at their high school, including philosophy, public health and sociology.
By Uy Pham
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