This school year, high school students have the opportunity to take up to three dual credit courses to give them a leg up for college! And we are actively working to add more courses to our offerings. Read on for more information, and join us on Registration Day for a special presentation about this program.
What is dual credit?
Dual credit is a program that allows high school students to earn college credit in their high school classes. There is an additional fee to enroll in dual credit, but it typically saves money in the long run. FRCS’s dual credit program is offered in partnership with Colorado Christian University (CCU).
Which courses and how much?
Currently, dual credit in Bible (associated with 10th grade) and History (two courses, both associated with the AP US History course) will be available this year. We are working to add more as we continue to navigate the requirements.
Each dual credit course requires a $300 fee in addition to FRCS tuition.
Are courses taught by FRCS faculty or online?
Many high schools offer dual credit by running online courses through an outside provider. We have been hesitant to build such an approach for many reasons. When parents look at dual credit programs, we encourage them to pay attention to whether the courses are in-person or online.
At FRCS, dual credit remains in-person and taught by FRCS instructors. To be approved, teachers must meet certain requirements and the course must be approved by the partnering university. Our dual credit courses are in-person and taught by our own faculty who meet such requirements.
Is the college credit transferable to other universities?
Dual credit courses and instructors have been approved by the Higher Learning Commission. Universities have different institutional practices concerning transfer credits, but it is common that dual credit courses transfer without any issue. Parents and students are encouraged to contact specific universities to learn more about their institutional requirements.
How do I register or sign up?
The registration deadline is not until September, and we will have more information and guidance directly from our partner university (CCU) once we get it.
What’s the difference between AP and dual credit?
Both solutions allow high school students to earn college credit, but they are structured very differently. AP courses are overseen and approved by College Board, and they require students to pass the AP exam at the end of the course in order to receive college credit. Universities differ as to what they consider a passing grade on the 5-point exam (some universities will accept a 3 or 4, others may require students to earn a 5). Dual credit courses are overseen and approved by the Higher Learning Commission, and students typically receive credit if they earn a C- or higher. Universities sometimes differ as to what dual credit courses they will accept or how many credits they will allow a student to earn through dual credit. The benefit of AP is that, because it is tied to an established standard, it is widely accepted across the nation. The benefit of dual credit is that it is accessible to students. In both options, students must engage in rigorous learning, but dual credit does not require the additional AP exam.
Who do I ask if I’ve got questions?
On Registration Day, we will have a dedicated session specifically for dual credit and AP courses. We encourage you to attend that session. In the meantime, if you have more immediate questions that regard your specific student’s schedule or ability to take certain courses, please reach out to Aubren Self (aubren.self@frcs.org).
What should I do next?
Celebrate our college guidance counselor, Aubren Self and our dual credit teachers (Phil Schulz and Adam Peterson)! They have each done a significant amount of work to prepare and submit material for approval, and we are excited to see where this grows from here!
My student isn’t in high school. How does this impact me?
As your younger student prepares for high school, we want to be sure you’re informed about new developments at the senior high level. Knowing about these exciting offerings can help your family prepare for the future.
