The Truth About Dual Enrollment

As a seasoned homeschool parent educator with over 12 years of experience—and as the coordinator of 5 Arrow Homeschool Academy, I’m excited to share how dual enrollment rocked our lives. Whether you’re just beginning to explore this opportunity or already navigating the ins and outs with your student, I hope my story, The Truth About Dual Enrollment, provides you with both insight and encouragement.

What Is Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment lets high school students take college-level courses, earning credits while still enjoying the flexibility of homeschool life. It’s a unique opportunity that not only propels academic progress but also introduces both students and parents to the challenges and joys of early college experiences. If you’re new to the concept, I invite you to check out my article How To Master Dual Enrollment In High School for a more detailed introduction.

Preparing Your Student for Success

A successful dual enrollment journey starts at home. Here are some of my tips to help you and your students get ready:

Encourage Independence

Guide your child to work independently and follow directions. It’s perfectly normal for them to need a little help at first, but too much assistance can become overwhelming for both of you.

Familiarize with Resources

Make sure your student knows where to find free on-campus tutoring and gets comfortable using online platforms like Canvas. A practice run before classes begin can work wonders!

Communication is Key

Empower your student to speak up for themselves. They need to learn how to construct clear, respectful emails and effectively communicate any issues with their professors. Teaching them the “subtleties” of adult communication, like adjusting their tone based on the professor’s personality, can make a huge difference. Trust me in this!

Remember Who’s in Charge

Despite the college setting, you remain your child’s teacher and advocate. Keep a watchful eye on assignments, and don’t hesitate to step in if the work doesn’t meet your standards. After all, college professors see only the work, not the effort behind it.

Stay Actively Involved

Don’t just let your student “go it alone.” Even if they are enrolled in an online course, monitor their progress, remind them of due dates, and be available for questions. Your proactive involvement is essential, especially when your child is still navigating the adult world of college coursework.

Planning Ahead

Good planning is the key to turning challenges into victories, especially in dual enrollment. If it were not for my planning, we would have really suffered. Here’s how we tackled it:

Choose the Right Courses

Start by figuring out which classes align with your student’s degree goals. Many colleges offer a list of recommended courses, but if these don’t match your student’s plans, take time to create your own roadmap. Having a backup plan (Plan A or Plan B) can save you a lot of stress later.

Budget for Supplies

While many dual enrollment courses cover tuition, don’t forget about the extra costs. We found ourselves investing in expensive calculators for math, printer ink for assignments (over $250!), art kits, and even renting books for P.E. It’s a good idea to explore programs that offer book loans but be prepared for the possibility that only new editions may be available.

Research Teachers

A little homework goes a long way! Use websites like RateMyProfessor.com to learn more about your student’s professors BEFORE you enroll them into the class. This is an absolute MUST.

We skipped looking up one teacher as I was also busy prepping for my other homeschool students. As a result, my dual-enrolled students ended up with a very difficult math teacher. This teacher was so concerned about students cheating with AI that she insisted all math problems be solved exactly as she taught in class. Even though my daughter solved the problems correctly using her own method, the teacher required her to redo an assignment in the prescribed manner.

Exams were scheduled on Sundays!

This was during our church hours, and quizzes were held every Saturday. Consequently, my students had to work on this class nearly seven days a week for the entire 16-week course due to the teacher’s demanding schedule. Occasionally, they worked extra hard to take Fridays off for family time, but Saturday quizzes and Sunday exams left them with little respite. This situation required a lot of patience and prayer.

Though it was the most challenging class of their young academic lives, it taught them valuable lessons about college life, seeking help, and interacting with difficult adults. They passed the class with high B’s, determined never to take another course with that teacher again. Their perseverance impressed the teacher, but I wouldn’t recommend any homeschool parent or working adult student to endure such an experience.

Enroll Early

Dual enrollment classes can fill up fast. Set a reminder and be ready to enroll as soon as registration opens. Trust me—timeliness is everything!

Consider Asynchronous Classes

If you’d prefer to keep your student off a busy college campus, opt for asynchronous courses. This format allows you to blend college work with your homeschool schedule seamlessly, making it easier to stay involved and monitor progress.

Effective Monitoring

To ensure effective monitoring of their progress, I scheduled the courses to take place before my toddlers’ nap time. This allowed me to be available to answer questions, keep them on track, and ensure they were completing the required tasks on the computer.

It is crucial to safeguard your children and students as educational institutions treat them as adults. Some classes include forums for student discussions, which may feature mature content. Be prepared to assist your child in understanding such situations.

Staying on Track

Here are my ultimate tips on staying on track during dual enrolled classes:

Master the Calendar

Purchase a large 12-month calendar and mark all due dates, class start dates, and any other important deadlines. Again, Review each teacher’s syllabus with your student to ensure there are no surprises.

Teach Time Management

Encourage your student to work ahead when possible. Many colleges appreciate the flexibility, and this habit can help them avoid last-minute rushes. For us, this meant starting essays early and drafting multiple versions before final submission.

Communication is Key

Empower your student to speak up for themselves. They need to learn how to construct clear, respectful emails and effectively communicate any issues with their professors. Teaching them the subtleties of adult communication, like adjusting their tone based on the professor’s personality—can make a huge difference.

Your Role Remains Crucial

Remember, even though your student is taking college courses, you’re still the main teacher. Assist with editing drafts and offering constructive feedback. Treat other teachers as hired experts who complement your own guidance, not as replacements.

Embrace the Journey

Dual enrollment isn’t just about earning college credits, or simply early college. It’s more of a family adventure that fosters growth, independence, and lifelong learning skills. Yes, it demands careful planning, extra budgeting for supplies, and a lot of hands-on involvement. But with a little preparation and a lot of prayer, the rewards are immense! I am so proud of my students, and I am sure you will be too!

For those embarking on this path, whether it be through public school or homeschool, be sure to update your four-year homeschool plan and your homeschool transcripts (or regular plans and transcripts if NOT homeschooled). Also keep meticulous records of essays, exams, and assignments. And if you’re looking for budget-friendly textbooks, explore online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or AbeBooks.

I sure hope this helped some parents decide on whether dual enrollment is a good fit for their family.

Happy Homeschooling!

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