Jan. 11-Patrick County High School has announced a dual enrollment where students take high school classes and college classes at the same time and do this free of charge.

Press Release: 1/11/2013 Patrick County Public Schools is excited to announce a new opportunity for all students at Patrick County High School. In a continued effort to prepare students with the skills they need for the 21st Century, Patrick County Public Schools in a new partnership arrangement with Patrick Henry Community College will allow students to gain college credit free of charge while still attending high school beginning this fall. Under Dual Enrollment, qualified students may take college courses at the same time they take high school classes, giving graduates a head start by enabling them to enter college with credits – sometimes as many as two years’ worth – under their belts, saving both time and money. Over the past 20 years that PHCC has offered dual enrollment, thousands of students have taken advantage of the program, but in the past students paid for a portion of their college tuition. This new agreement will pay for all their tuition. “The goal is to allow families to plan better for a college education while reducing the overall costs through the PHCC dual enrollment program with local schools,” said Dr. Angeline Godwin, PHCC President. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, average annual tuition and fees in 2011-2012 at public four-year colleges was more than $8,000, while community college tuition and fees averaged just under $3,000. Earning an associate degree at a community college before transferring to a senior institution can save a family thousands of dollars in tuition. Students who complete courses through dual enrollment can save even more. This is just one more “innovative way to increase access and reduce cost of college education for community families,” Godwin said. Currently, students may take dual enrollment courses and have the opportunity to graduate with an Associate’s Degree or Career Certificate from PHCC in addition to their high school diploma. The D-Squared program was a step forward to help students be college and career ready as they leave high school. Two years ago, PCPS expanded the D2 program to include a Science option. PCPS continues to seek innovative strategies and opportunities to prepare all students to be college and career ready. In addition to tuition assistance and offering the D-Squared program, school officials have plans to expand dual enrollment course offerings at Patrick County High School. Through discussions with local organizations and community partners, school officials determined a need to offer more courses in order to prepare students to enter the workforce. “This is a great example of how a strategic educational partnership can work together to serve the students and the community,” Godwin said. Beginning Fall 2013, Patrick County Public Schools will offer dual enrollment courses in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department. Examples of new dual enrollment classes include Agriculture, Culinary Arts, Teacher Cadet Program, Cosmetology, Nursing, and Engineering. Students will have new opportunities as PCPS reinvents the CTE courses to meet the needs of the 21st Century workforce. Patrick Henry Community College officials will be making a presentation to the Patrick County School Board on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at approximately 3:45 PM in the library at PCHS. According to Doug Perry, PCHS parent and Civil Operations Specialist with the Virginia National Guard, “This program will be a great opportunity for students. It provides our students with an advantage when competing with other college applicants, sets them up for success, and provides a smoother transition as they move into a full time college or university experience.” Doug and his wife, Linda, have two children. Jason, a Junior at PCHS, that currently participates in the program and Sarah, a Senior at VCU, that participated in the program in previous years. Dr. Roger Morris, Division Superintendent, stated that this is a positive result of five years of conversations with the Community College. “We are very excited about being able to work with PHCC to provide a free college degree program for our students. We are also pleased that we will partner to expand dual enrollment into program areas that will enable us to offer more high-quality career ready classes. Personally, this is something I have looked forward to for a long time.” -- Cyndi C. Williams Division Director of Testing Coordinator of Federal Programs Patrick County Public Schools P.O. Box 346 104 Rucker Street Stuart, VA 24171 276.694.3163 (work) 276.692.5871 (cell) 276.694.3170(fax)