LVLA is now offering early university courses to students as part of the Dual Credit Program. This school year, LVLA is excited to collaborate with San Jose City College to give students the opportunity to take two college-level courses. 

 

Intro to Race and Ethnicity - ETH 20

Intro to General Psychology - PSYCH 10

 

The program fills a unique niche in high school education. Certified, experienced college professors come to LVLA and teach their college courses to high school students. These courses are part of the student’s high school schedule and require no extra instruction time outside school hours. Upon completion of the courses, LVLA students receive college credit that is transferable to any university in California and most across the country.

 

Dual Credit students routinely graduate high school with over 12 college credits and begin their college education a semester ahead. EUP students’ UC and CSU acceptance rates are much higher relative to the general LVLA student population.

 

 

Early college courses can be ideal for any type of student, as they allow the opportunity for earning just a few credits or even going all the way to an associate degree.

2. Real World Applications

Managing college courses while still in high school requires dedication. However, with this level of responsibility comes advantages that will help shape students’ character and better prepare them for the real world.

With college courses, high school students can:

• Develop a strong work ethic
• Form time management skills
• Improve their writing skills
• Advance their critical thinking
• Study at a more mature rate than their peers

Often, the knowledge students gain through early college courses also helps them improve in their other classes.

3. Personal Coaching

Many early college programs provide additional support to ensure high school students thrive in their classes. This includes tutoring, counseling, and guidance from real college professors who want students to succeed in both their high school and college coursework.

Since these programs have a smaller enrollment than a typical freshman class at a university, the support is readily available in a more personal, one-on-one approach with regular student and parent check-ins.

4. Prepare for College

Attending college is a huge change that will require some adapting, especially if the school is in a different state and out of a comfort zone. Many students struggle to get comfortable in their new environment and some even end up leaving school altogether.

With early experience in undergraduate studies, students have the advantage of a smoother transition between high school and the college of their choice. They develop a college-level mentality sooner than their peers, which can help them handle heavy workloads and balance school and a social life. This will be especially beneficial since many students have trouble adjusting to college during their first year.

5. Money Savings

Saying college is expensive would be an understatement (see the chart below). In fact, the average class of 2016 graduate has $37,172 in student loan debt, which is a six percent increase from last year. Since tuition rises every semester, the severity of the student loan debt situation will only get worse.

Not only is this stressful for parents, it’s also a cause of anxiety for students since worrying about paying for school can derail their attention away from their studies. They may also need to work full-time to pay for classes, which can push back their graduation and end up costing them even more in the long run.

Taking college-level courses while still in high school can alleviate some of that pressure. Students can knock out a few prerequisite classes or even go all the way and earn their associate degree at a fraction of the cost it would be to attend college after high school.