Are you interested in earning college credits while still in high school? VHS has two possible programs: Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment.
- Advanced Placement (AP) – The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program affords students the opportunity to complete college-level courses in high school. Participating colleges grant credit and appropriate placement based on the scores that students achieve on the AP examination. Students are not required to be enrolled in an AP course to take an AP exam.
- Dual Enrollment – Dual enrollment is an opportunity for students, while still in high school and taking classes on the high school campus, to earn college and/or university credit. Due to the requirements to offer this program, offerings may vary from year to year and be teacher-specific. Check with your counselor for Dual Enrollment courses currently being offered.
There are also special programs available through the colleges that involve taking college courses and earning college credit, such as EMCC's ACE and Hoop of Learning:
- ACE (Achieving a College Education) Program at EMCC has a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) focus. In general, it targets students in their sophomore year who may not be considering going to college or obtaining a bachelor's degree. Students take college courses in this two-year program. https://www.estrellamountain.edu/students/ace
- The Hoop of Learning Program at EMCC encourages students to stay in school and graduate as well as transition to college. Native American students (grades 9-12) can apply for this program. It does provide the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. https://www.estrellamountain.edu/students/hoops