How To Master Dual Enrollment In High School

Ever heard of the term “dual enrollment?” Many parents ask about this fantastic opportunity all the time and there are many misconceptions and challenges to go along with it. In this article, I will help you navigate the dual enrollment world by explaining what it is, common misconceptions, challenges, and ways to overcome them. Your student will learn how to master dual enrollment in high school!

What is Dual Enrollment?

Most commonly, dual enrollment refers to high school students taking college or university courses while still enrolled in secondary school. Imagine a motivated high schooler attending algebra class in the morning and then zipping over or logging onto a college campus for a physics lecture in the afternoon. If these students successfully complete their college courses, they can earn both high school credit (toward their diploma) and college credit (which may be transferable to a postsecondary degree program).

Sometimes, you’ll hear the term “early college” used interchangeably with dual enrollment. Essentially, it means the same thing: high school students diving into college-level material. In essence, dual enrollment serves as a bridge between high school and college, offering students the opportunity to explore higher education while still completing their secondary education.

Pros To Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment can be a fantastic opportunity for homeschool high school students. Here are some key benefits:

Enjoy Accelerated Learning:

Students can take college-level courses that count for both high school and college credit, allowing them to advance their education more quickly. I have two teenagers currently doing this. Here is how I have their schedules set as of this year:

Typical Freshman Year	Dual Enrolled Freshman Year
Course Title	Course Title
Bible (optional/Christian homeschoolers)	English 1 Reading & Comprehension 4units
English 1 9th Grade	Math 45 Collage Algebra 4 units
Algebra 1	Art 15 Beginning Drawing 3 units
U.S. History	Physical Geology 3 units
Biology	U.S. Government (homeschool course 1 credit)
Health	Sports Nutrition 1 unit
Art	Intro To Content Management Systems (elective class that counts towards major 3 units)
Physical Education (P.E)	Bible (optional/Christian homeschool course 1 unit)

You Can Save Money Overall:

Many states offer dual enrollment programs at reduced costs or even for free, which can significantly lower the overall cost of a college education. Especially if your students field of choice requires more than the typical four years of college.

The best place for dual education is your finest, but nearest in state college or university. Most of the time it’s FREE. That’s how your students can advance with dual enrollment!

Exposure to College:

Dual enrollment provides students with a taste of college life and the rigors of college coursework while still having the support of their home environment, especially if your student is taking online courses. It also helps to reduce the indoctrination that many on campus students face when attending college. If your Christian faith is important to you, this is a way to help your student navigate faith and education in a non-Christian environment, unless they attended a Christian university.

Enhanced Transcripts:

College courses can strengthen a homeschool transcript, making it more competitive for college admissions. This is a win for those students desiring an elite education. Just make sure all courses are transferable to their desirable schools and all the G.E. or general education courses are completed.

But most importantly, your student can actually earn their AA before ever graduating high school. They will only have two years of university life if they desire to transfer to one. Some students might get a degree and go right to work after high school making close to six figures! Yep, especially the computer science majors like my students.

Exploration of Interests:

Students can explore subjects of interest in greater depth, which can help them make more informed decisions about their future academic and career paths and what interests them. They might try a cooking class, an art class, or a piano. These will also count as extracurricular activities and go towards their AA!

Access to Resources:

Enrolling in college courses gives students access to resources like libraries, academic databases, and labs that might not be available at home. Especially if you opt to have them learn the high school sciences as dual ed classes. They will have everything they need at their fingertips.

Common Misconceptions About Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment is becoming increasingly popular, but there are still some misconceptions I would like to address:

Dual Enrollment Courses Are Easier:

Some people believe that dual enrollment courses are less rigorous than traditional college courses. In reality, these courses are designed to meet college-level standards and can be quite challenging and equal a whole year of a high school education. So be careful how many your students pile on in the beginning.

Only Top Students Can Enroll:

There’s a misconception that only the best and brightest students can participate in dual enrollment. While there are academic requirements, many students who meet the criteria can benefit from these programs. If you have a student that wants to graduate early but may not know what they want to do after high school, you can introduce them to some college course that might interest them. They can also benefit from a course on different career paths.

Dual Enrollment Credits Won’t Transfer:

Some worry that the credits earned through dual enrollment won’t transfer to other colleges or universities. While transfer policies vary, many institutions accept dual enrollment credits, especially if they are from accredited programs. That’s why the best place for dual education is your finest, but nearest in state college or university. Just make sure all courses are transferable to their desirable schools and all the G.E. or general education courses are completed.

Dual Enrollment Is Only for Public School Students:

Another misconception is that dual enrollment is not available to homeschool or private school students. In fact, many dual enrollment programs are open to all high school students, regardless of their schooling background. Some colleges and universities cater to these programs and will accept students after graduation. Again, a win-win!

Dual Enrollment Can Look Bad on College Applications:

Some believe that colleges prefer Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses over dual enrollment. However, many colleges value dual enrollment because it demonstrates a student’s ability to handle college-level work while also in high school.

Dual Enrollment Is Too Expensive:

While there can be costs associated with dual enrollment, many programs offer reduced tuition rates or are subsidized by the state, making them more affordable than traditional college courses. However, again I must emphasize the best place for dual education is your finest, but nearest in state college or university. Many times, the instate option is cheaper and many times FREE. Do your research and find out how your student can benefit. Plan in middle school so if you must save a little, do so.

Financial Aid Might Be Available

However, do not forget about this little thing called the FAFSA. You can learn more about it here. Just don’t go into debt over your student entering college or dual enrollment, so don’t get the “parent-plus” loan. You should start working on your FAFSA as early as October 1, but definitely no later than January.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) offers Financial Aid funds  that are available for students to help them pay for their educational expenses. Most types of financial aid come from federal and state programs, which require completing the FAFSA. Financial award funds are allocated based on a student’s demonstrated need. Additionally, there are other aid programs that provide funds based on financial need or merit.

Your eligibility for financial aid can depend on various factors such as income, assets, family size, and the number of family members in college. Regardless of the reason, it is crucial to complete your application and submit the required information on time to ensure you receive the financial support you need. Additionally, students starting at age thirteen can fill the FAFSA out online, while younger students must mail in the FAFSA before the deadline.

The option for dual enrollment classes will always be cheaper than the average college students fees. Understanding these misconceptions can help you make a more informed decision about dual enrollment.

Challenges (Cons) to Dual Enrollment & How To Overcome

While dual enrollment offers many benefits, there are also some potential challenges we must consider as high school parents. In this section, I will list some common ones as well as how to overcome these challenges, so you can get the best experience.

The Workload Could Increase:

College courses can be demanding, requiring significant time and effort. Balancing high school and college coursework can be challenging for students. As parents, we need to make sure that we are teaching our dual enrolled high school students how to plan and create a schedule.

Then if your student desires a full load, write out the classes they want from college for the year. Then divide them by what’s possible in a semester, since one semester is a full high school year. Put only one to two hard classes with easier classes per semester.

Using the example dual enrollment courses listed above, here is how I would divide the academic school year for my student:

1st Semester	2nd Semester
Course Title	Course Title
English 1 Reading & Comprehension 4units	Math 45 College Algebra 4 units
Art 15 Beginning Drawing 3 units	Physical Geology 3 units
Sports Nutrition 1 unit	U.S. Government (homeschool course 1 credit)
Intro To Content Management Systems	Exercise or P.E. (homeschool course 1 credit)
Exercise or P.E. (homeschool course 1 credit)

As you can see, anything challenging for my students is paired with other classes not so challenging. In this way, they can have more study and focus time on the main class of the semester.

Teach your student effective time management techniques. Using planners, setting priorities, and breaking tasks into manageable chunks can help balance high school and college coursework.

You Can Lose Control

As homeschool parents, we are used to having control over our child’s education. With dual enrollment, the college sets the curriculum, schedule, and grading, which can be an adjustment.

To gain a little more control, help your child open and manage their academic emails, store passcodes and any information needed to access their accounts at any time. Remember, just because they are entering college, doesn’t make them adults.

Schdule online classes that are fully asynchronous, meaning the student determines when to join in class and there is no scheduled time for the class. This will allow you to help them plan a time for their own class, in between homeschool classes. If you choose a class with online meeting times, learn how to schedule around them.

While FERPA limits parental access to academic information, we can still be involved by discussing course progress and challenges with our students regularly and setting them up so we can be involved.

Is Your Student Mature and Ready:

Not all high school students are ready for the academic and social environment of college. They need to have strong time management and study skills.

While this may be true, you can also start them off with an online class safe at home. You have the opportunity to tune in and make sure your students are focused and learning. This also ensures your faith, and values stay with your student.

Exposure to Different Values:

College courses may introduce students to ideas and perspectives that differ from their home environment, which can be challenging for some families, so make sure you talk to your students, incorporate family Bible studies or unit studies. We have plenty in our shop. Students can also do a full Bible curriculum that helps them strengthen their theology.

Prepare your student for exposure to diverse ideas and perspectives. Discussing these topics with truth and the truth of God’s Word, at home can help them critically engage with new information while maintaining their faith and values.

Administrative Hurdles:

The registration process for dual enrollment can be complex, and students may need to navigate different procedures compared to traditional college students.

Before enrolling, research the courses and instructors. Websites like Rate My Professors can provide insights into teaching styles and course difficulty.

Make sure to research and prepare. Reviewing syllabi and required materials in advance can also help set expectations for you and your student.

Overcoming other challenges

Support Systems: Help your student establish a strong support system. This can include regular check-ins with parents, tutors, or mentors who can provide guidance and assistance with challenging subjects.

If your student is struggling with mental health, don’t be afraid to stop, evaluate and seek help with a counselor.

Communication Skills: Encourage your students to communicate effectively with their college instructors. This includes asking questions, seeking clarification, and utilizing office hours for additional support.

Gradual Transition: Start with one or two college courses to allow your student to adjust to the new environment and workload gradually. This can help them build confidence and develop the necessary skills for success.

Counseling and Advising: Utilize college counseling and advising services. These professionals can help navigate administrative processes, course selection, and transferability of credits.

Administrative Navigation: Familiarize yourself with the dual enrollment registration process and requirements. This can help avoid administrative hurdles and ensure a smooth enrollment experience, making the process easier, manageable, and enjoyable.

In Conclusion

Despite these challenges, many families find that the benefits of dual enrollment outweigh the drawbacks. By implementing these strategies, you can help your homeschool student make the most of their dual enrollment experience while minimizing these potential challenges.

I hope this article helped you figure out the dual enrollment world and how you can navigate it with your student. You can do this!

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