JSU Recognizes High Schools Committed to Dual Enrollment

09/25/2023

Dual Enrollment students at JSU. (JSU Photo)

by Brett Buckner

The number of students enrolled in JSU’s dual enrollment program reached an all-time high this fall, with 1,133 high schoolers getting a jumpstart on college by taking courses that provide both university and high school credit. As dual enrollment continues to grow at JSU - up 34 percent since 2020 - the university is adding a new badge program to recognize partner high schools who support the program. 
 
“The Dual Enrollment Badge Recognition Program provides JSU with a way to honor its partnering high schools for the opportunities they are providing their students,” said Amie Knight, dual enrollment coordinator.
 
Students no longer have to travel to college campuses to pursue dual enrollment opportunities. According to the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, 86 percent of the nation’s dual enrollment students are taking courses at their high school, with 9 out of 10 schools offering college courses. In addition to virtual and hybrid options available at JSU, high school teachers are now teaching college courses for the university on the high school campus.
 
“Having an on-site high school teacher, who is also credentialed to teach college courses, provides students – especially first-generation students – access, as well as the ability to feel comfortable with the concept of college,” Knight said. “This is truly a collaborative effort through working with dual enrollment faculty, guidance counselors, career coaches, administrators and superintendents to make college accessible to all students.”
 
The new Badge Recognition Program awards badges annually to high schools that are committed to providing dual enrollment opportunities to their students. The levels include:
 

• Platinum: High schools that offer 10-12 in-person dual enrollment courses with high school teachers serving as dual enrollment faculty. These high schools are designated as a JSU Early College Program Model, which is designed to provide students the opportunity to earn up to 30 college credit hours before high school graduation. This was awarded to The Donoho School for 2022-23.
• Gold: High schools that offer 8 in-person dual enrollment courses, with high school teachers serving as dual enrollment faculty. Students can earn up to 20 college credit hours by taking in-person courses at their school before high school graduation. The 2022-23 awardees were Alexandria High School, Cleburne County High School, Oxford High School and Piedmont High School 
• Silver: High schools that offer 4-6 in-person courses, with high school teachers serving as dual enrollment faculty. Students can earn up to 18 college credit hours by taking in-person courses at their school before high school graduation. The 2022-23 awardees included Lincoln High School, Munford High School, Ohatchee High School, Pleasant Valley High School and Weaver High School 
• Bronze: High schools that offer 1-2 in-person courses with high school teachers serving as dual enrollment faculty. Students can earn up to 12 college credit hours by taking in-person courses at their schools before high school graduation. High schools in this category included Cedar Bluff High School, Central High School in Clay County, Wadley High School, Wellborn High School and White Plains High School. 
• Participation: High schools that partner with JSU to offer online courses to their students. Dual enrollment students at these schools can earn college credit and be early admitted to JSU by taking dual enrollment online courses at their schools before high school graduation. The Partnership Badge recipients this year are Saks High School and Spring Garden High School.