Waco-area high schools are trying to offer students more chances to get a jump on college through dual credit courses.

Through partnerships with area colleges, McLennan Community College and Texas State Technical College, high schools are offering a growing number of classes that meet high school requirements and earn college hours.

Courses carry the rigor and work of a college class.

Waco Independent School District is increasing its dual credit offerings yearly, said Donna McKethan, WISD career and technology education coordinator.

There were more than 1,400 career tech dual credit classes taken by students in 2008-09. That number grew to 1,670 last year.

A.J. Moore Academy Principal Angela Reiher said many of her school’s classes are dual credit.

The career technology dual credit courses are especially a good fit for A.J. Moore, which asks its students to commit to a career academy for their four years at the school.

The number of dual credit classes in core subjects are growing in the district as well. Lauren Pruitt, counselor at Waco High School, said her school went from having three dual credit classes to offering 18 in 2009-10.

The 2011 Waco High graduates could have their first year of college out of the way by the time they don their caps and gowns, Pruitt said.

Pruitt said the facility has tried to match its dual credit offerings to the core transfer classes at MCC.

Advanced Placement

Midway High School officials encourage students to combine dual credit courses with Advanced Placement classes to create a high school experience tailored to their goals, Midway Principal Chris Allen said.

AP classes, designed by the National College Board, are rigorous. Students may earn college credit for an AP class if they score well on an accompanying test.

Midway has dual credit classes in core subjects and workforce areas.

Some courses allow students to get jobs in their fields of interest while they pursue a college degrees. For example, some of Midway’s classes will allow a student to be a certified nursing assistant by the time they graduate.

Allen said he knows a student who is taking dual credit emergency medical technician classes at Midway, through McLennan Community College, and plans to work as an EMT while she attends Texas A&M University for veterinary science.

“We’re pretty excited about those workforce opportunities,” Allen said, because they allow students to do something besides flip burgers while they go to college.

The dual credit offerings are important, Pruitt said, because they can help change students’ attitudes about higher education, offering them a smoother transition into it.

“In our district, a lot of children have never thought they were college material,” Pruitt said.

Rapoport Academy’s Meyer High School may be considered a leader in offering dual credits.

Designated by the state as an early college high school, Rapoport makes it possible for students to graduate with an associate’s degree or up to 60 hours of college work.

Students take classes at TSTC, whose instructors come to the Rapoport campus for other classes.

wgragg@wacotrib.com

757-6901

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