Photo provided by Ryan Carr
By Katrya Ly, News Editor and Albert Tang, Staff Writer
Several Fountain Valley High School students have enrolled in community college classes while attending high school.
“Students can enroll in community college after their sophomore year of high school or when they turn 16 years old,” said guidance specialist Lynn McCall in an email to Baron Banner. “If a student is taking a community college class while they are in high school, they are considered ‘Concurrent Students.'”
Concurrent students must have classes that do not conflict with their schedule at FVHS. They must also have their guidance specialist review and sign a Concurrent Enrollment Form in order for them to begin their course at a community college.
These students will not receive high school credit for the class and the grade they earn in the course will not appear on their transcripts, however it can be listed when they apply to a 4-year college. This is one of several reasons why students like Ryan Carr (’16) decided on dual-enrollment.
“I decided to study at Orange Coast [Community College] for many reasons. The institution is the closest to Fountain Valley and one of the top transfer schools in the state,” said Carr. “In addition, the professors and student body are all well-renowned and top-notch.”
McCall notes that community college is a great way to research and investigate fields of interest and classes before committing to a 4-year college. It is also a way to work with professors and learn time management and life skills.
“I’ve made strong connections with all my professors, started analytical research projects, gotten involved in honor societies and met so many new friends,” said Carr. “I’ve maintained a 4.0 GPA, made the Honors List, traveled to academic conferences on behalf of the College and even started an internship thanks to one of my professors.”
For more information on dual-enrollment or community colleges, McCall suggests students visit college and career specialist Michaela Wakeman in the College and Career Center.
