Dual Credit Courses Offer Many Benefits
While working toward graduation, many Wolf Point High School students have found a way to get a head start for their higher education goals.
Erin Loendorf, high school guidance counselor, explains that the dual credit program keeps growing at the school. About 75 percent of last year’s graduating class earned college credits while still attending high school.
“This is something we’ve really grown and expanded during the last six years,” Loendorf said. “We work closely with colleges, and we have a great partnership with Fort Peck Community College. We appreciate the collaboration efforts with them in developing and sustaining these courses.”
There is no cost for the Wolf Point High School students to take the dual credit courses. The only requirement is that they are working toward their high school graduation. The program is only for juniors and seniors.
“They are realizing the value and benefits of it, even if it’s only one class,” she said. “It’s also gives them a feeling of what college might be like. It says a lot about our students that they are making the choice to do it.”
Examples of reaching success through the dual credit program include Patience Muth and Nick Page who earned enough dual credits while in high school that they completed their two-year course work at FPCC in just one year. Fort Peck Community College is aligned with the Montana University System so credits transfer in the state.
Courses available include 4introduction to public speaking, college writing, basic Microsoft office, personal finance, human anatomy and physiology, oxy/fuel shielded metal arc welding II, basic statistics and calculus I.
The classes are taught by Wolf Point High School staff members during the regular school day.
“We have teachers willing to go above and beyond,” Loendorf said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer this for our students.”
She is grateful that Principal Kim Hanks has made the program a priority.
“There are a lot of moving pieces to make this possible as an option for our kids,” Loendorf said. “I’m personally proud of our students here who are taking advantage of the opportunities.”
Projected enrollment for the upcoming school year includes 67 percent of the senior class enrolled in at least one dual credit course and 36 percent of the junior class enrolled in at last one dual credit course.
The early college program, meanwhile, allows students to take college classes during the day through video conferencing.
“The opportunities have grown as FPCC has expanded its online options,” Loendorf explained.
Registration for the dual credit and early college programs is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12, in the high school library. For more information, call Loendorf at 406-653-5551.
