For many high school students, classes are limited to what is offered at their school. In Boca Raton, bright students are given the unique opportunity to dual-enroll at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and/or Palm Beach State College (PBSC). Students can take their normal classes at their high school with everyone else, but those who qualify are also allowed to enroll in courses for which they meet the prerequisites at the college/university. For example, a student might have 6 classes at their high school and take a class at FAU twice a week for both college and high school credit. The dual enrolled students are treated like any other college student when on campus and in the classroom, their classmates and even professors would not know that they are dual enrolled unless they choose to mention it.

This ability to take advanced courses at a college campus offers many benefits to those who choose to do so. The most notable advantage of dual-enrolling is that it allows talented young students to take advanced classes in areas that they are interested in that would not normally be offered at a high school. Additionally, students are given the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit with one class, saving time and money. It can also serve as a learning experience out of the classroom, as the dual enrolled student can get a glimpse of college life and see how students interact in a college setting.

By: Tyee Pomerantz