When current JA seniors head off to college next fall, many of them will do so with several hours of college credit already complete. In 2019, Jackson Academy signed a dual enrollment agreement with Belhaven University, allowing JA students who meet Belhaven’s admission requirements to take classes that earn college and high school credit simultaneously. The credits earned through Belhaven transfer to other accredited colleges and universities.
Zharia Hill, a senior who has taken Advanced Math and AP English Literature as dual enrollment courses at JA looks forward to having a head start on her college coursework. “Advanced Math was split between two semesters, the first being college trigonometry and the second being college algebra,” Zharia said. “I like that the classes are challenging and provide me with college-like coursework.”
Dual enrollment enables students to spend less time on general education requirements in college. By earning several of those credits while still in high school, students are free to focus on completing requirements toward a major or minor or explore other areas of interest. JA seniors and some juniors currently have the opportunity to take English Composition I, World Literature or British Literature, College Algebra, and Trigonometry.
“It’s useful in the math, especially for the kids who are not going into a math or science field in college,” said Amanda Smithers, who teaches Upper School mathematics, including a course for dual-credit. According to Smithers, the benefits of dual-enrollment go beyond earning college credit. “I think it’s important for students who haven’t taken a bunch of AP classes to see the pace and material of what to expect in a college class.”
The changes involved in going to college are significant; experiencing college courses before beginning freshman year helps students feel more confident to face those changes and challenges. “To have experience in a college course in a familiar environment has dramatically changed the way I view college courses,” senior Phoebe Guinn said. Fellow Class of 2021 member Madison Lampley agreed, saying that, “Dual enrollment has definitely boosted my confidence level and encouraged me to push and work harder to earn excellent grades.”
Jackson Academy is a college-preparatory school and strives to give each student the tools they will need to achieve their college goals. Opportunities including dual enrollment, ACT-preparation courses and workshops, and AP course offerings, allow students to practice using those tools in a nurturing and supportive environment.
