A Jumpstart on College: Johnson Finds Success through Dual Enrollment at PTC

AP courses are often thought of as the only way for high school students to earn college credit. Alexia Johnson discovered a life hack through Piedmont Technical College’s Dual Enrollment program.

“I was able to get the college credit, plus my family is saving money,” said Johnson, a summa cum laude graduate of Laurens District 55 High School. Thanks to Dual Enrollment, she’ll be heading to Spartanburg Methodist College as a second-semester sophomore with plans to major in business management.

Dual Enrollment is an advanced-credit program for high school juniors and seniors. Different classes are available online, at the student’s high school, or on the PTC campus. There are four ways to participate in Dual Enrollment at PTC:

•    Traditional Dual Enrollment courses are taken at the student’s high school with their high school instructors.
•    OnDECK classes are offered on a PTC campus and let students earn high school units and college credit at the same time.
•    PTC has partnered with some school districts on a Middle College that allows high school juniors and seniors the chance to earn 48-plus college credit hours.
•    Early admission is for students looking to earn credit through PTC, but not through their high school.

Some students are planning for advanced degrees. Others have a career in mind that doesn’t require a four-year degree. Through the Career Quick Start program, students take the first steps toward, and in some cases complete, industry-recognized credentials in a critical workforce area while still in high school.

Johnson participated in Middle College. At Laurens High, students begin the program during the summer between their 10th and 11th-grade year, taking two PTC classes. During the regular school year, students begin the day with college coursework and end the day with high school classes. Johnson took many of her college courses online.

“I was able to bring my computer wherever it was convenient,” she said. “All the teachers were great.”

Dual Enrollment at PTC is designed to be affordable to all students. South Carolina residents attend tuition-free if they take at least 6 credit hours per semester (generally at least two classes) at their high school, on campus or online.

Students earn both high school and college credit in PTC’s Dual Enrollment classes. Unlike other programs in which college credits depend on high-stakes testing, Dual Enrollment students can be sure their work will count toward their studies when they're ready to apply to college.

“My parents loved it,” Johnson said of Dual Enrollment. “They wish they had it when my big sister was in school. They would choose that over any AP class.”

Piedmont Technical College offers more than 80 courses approved to transfer to any senior public institution in the state by the S.C. Commission of Higher Education. Many private colleges in the state also accept them.

Before applying, students should understand Dual Enrollment is an opportunity to take courses at the college level.

“They’re taking a lot more coursework than the typical high school student,” said Cassie Power, guidance director at Laurens High. “They have to stay on top of things.”

Power said Johnson is hard-working and self-motivated. Johnson said the key is “staying at a good pace and getting your work done in a timely manner.” She said that even in virtual courses, students can stay after class to ask questions.

Since Dual Enrollment courses are weighted similar to AP/honors classes, Johnson said her grade point average “skyrocketed” to more than a 5.0. Plus, she earned an Associate in Arts degree from PTC.

What if a student – Johnson has a younger sister, too – asked her for a recommendation regarding Dual Enrollment?

“I would tell them it’s the best decision,” she said. “You get the credit and you save the money.”

Dual Enrollment is available at high schools throughout the PTC footprint. Hundreds of high school and home school students are already taking advantage of the program to jump-start their college careers.

Students should talk with a high school guidance counselor if they think Dual Enrollment might be right for them. Learn more online at www.ptc.edu/dual or contact PTC’s Dual Enrollment Office at (864) 941-8315.