By Salome Fogleman

Dual credit classes are classes from Waubonsee Community College taught in the high school by Batavia High School teachers. These classes are continuously rising in popularity. Students who earn at least a “C” in these classes obtain three to six college credits depending on the class. These courses act as a dress rehearsal for college; students can get a taste of college with the support of the high school. Hundreds or even thousands of dollars can be saved depending on the university.

Dual credit teachers follow the same curriculum as a college professor. If a student completes a dual credit course, they receive credit for both high school and college. If someone completes enough dual credit courses, they could end up a semester or two ahead once they start college.

Batavia High School has had many students take so many dual credit classes that they earned enough credit to be considered a sophomore in college. The only disadvantage to this is that certain universities might not treat that student as an incoming college freshman.

“Some four-year universities will then look at that student not as an incoming freshman student, but as a transfer student as if they are already a current college student,” said BHS counselor Corey Bernard.

This could mean that a student who is already considered a sophomore but is only in their first year of college might miss out on freshman scholarships only available to incoming students. This has not yet happened at BHS.

Massive amounts of money can be saved by taking dual credit classes. According to Batavia School District 101, a dual credit basic statistic class at the high school would cost $24. At Waubonsee, it would cost several hundred more, and at a four-year university, it would cost several thousand more.

To take a dual credit course, a student has to be eligible.

“Eligibility requirements are not set by us at the high school, but are set by Waubonsee, because they are Waubonsee’s courses,” Bernard said.

The majority of students qualify through either the ACT or SAT test scores. If students can not qualify through their test scores, they can take a placement exam called the accuplacer at Waubonsee. The requirements for dual credit classes are strict; if a student cannot meet the minimum score, they will not be eligible to take a dual credit class.

A dual credit class can give someone something to walk away with.

“If students are able to meet the requirements, it is a really good thing to consider,” Bernard said. “Not every high school has these many opportunities, so we’re very fortunate here at Batavia that our students have so many options to take those dual credit classes, and they’re a good thing, a really good thing. Students have good experiences taking them, and are better prepared going into college.”