College Program(s) Offered at ARPS:
Fresno City College's Dual Enrollment

A college course is an option for students to extend their education and earn post-secondary units and/or meet their A-G requirements. They can take these college courses by attending either a community college, state university, private university, out-of-state-university, or a vocation school. An advantage of students attending Aspen Ridge Public School (ARPS) is that ARPS partners with Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) and Fresno City College (FCC) to offer these college  courses to our students on campus and integrated into their day. This process is called Dual Enrollment.

FCC's Dual Enrollment: https://www.fresnocitycollege.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-and-records-office/admissions/dual-enrollment.html

Quick Facts About College Courses:

• The expected level of responsibility is higher

• Classes typically run for only 1 semester or quarter 

• 1 semester of a college course, is equivalent to 1 year of a high school course

Dual Enrollment is when a student is taking both high school and college classes at the same time and is receiving credit for both. Additionally, students will be in cohorts of their ARPS classmates with a ARPS facilitator/teacher. 

Quick Facts About College Courses:

• This facilitator is not the Professor, but is there to help students with questions and serves as a liaison for parents

• Parents are not allowed to reach out to professors directly

• Students are encouraged and responsible to reach out to their professors, when needed

• Some college courses may be taken with other Fresno City College students.

• ARPS is not able to supervise conversations between FCC course classmates.

ARPS offers Dual Enrollment when we have a class of a minimum of 20 students enrolled. Typically, students will be automatically enrolled in Dual Enrollment courses and it will take place of an elective course. The only exception would be if students do not have that elective choice space available in their schedule. 

Additional Benefits: 

• Free Fresno City College classes for those enrolled at ARPS

• ARPS covers cost of textbooks

• ARPS staff offers support that a regular college student may not have

• Students earn college credit towards an Associates Degree or Transfer Credits

• Ability to finish their degrees faster, as they would have taken college classes at ARPS

• College Course Experience, since it can be hard to adjust to college when first taking courses

• Bump in High School Grade Point Average (GPA) 

• There may be times where professors come at ARPS to teach the courses

Every ARPS high school student can take part of our Dual Enrollment program. They will automatically be placed in FCC classes, if elective space permits in their schedule. Although, there is an application process that needs to be completed before the course starts (see below). ARPS counseling staff can walk you through the process. If you are unable to meet with a counseling staff or choose to go through the application process at home, please see steps below. 

ARPS and FUSD are working closely to revamp ARPS' Dual Enrollment Program. The new Dual Enrollment Course Sequence will be posted TBD.

The A-G requirements are a set of high school course requirements established by the University of California (UC) system for admission to their most California colleges and universities. Each letter from A to G represents a different subject area, and students must complete a certain number of courses in each area to meet the requirements. Here's a quick overview:

A - History/Social Science (2 Years)

B - English (4 Years)

C - Math  (3 Years Required; 4 Years Recommended)

D - Laboratory Science (2 Years Required; 3 Years Recommended)

E - Foreign Language  (2 Years Required; 3 Years Recommended)

F - Visual and Performing Arts (1 Year)

G - College Preparatory Electives (1 Year)

These requirements are important because they ensure that students are academically prepared for college-level work. By completing the A-G requirements, students demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of subjects, which is crucial for success in college. Additionally, meeting these requirements is often necessary for admission to competitive colleges and universities, not just within the UC system but also at other institutions across the country. So, the A-G requirements serve as a roadmap for high school students, guiding them toward college readiness and opening up opportunities for higher education and future careers.

Most of the courses that students will be taking through FCC's Dual Enrollment program are also A-G approved. You can verify the course's A-G status by visiting the University of California A-G Course List website, searching Fresno City College, and going to their 2013-2014 school year course listing.

University of California A-G Course List Website: https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist/institution/4333

If your student has an IEP. There are certain accommodations available to them. We can provide the student with a copy of their IEP. The student can then schedule a meeting with the Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS) Counselor or department representative to know their options. We strongly recommend the student is the one that makes these calls, since parents would be turned away per FERPA restrictions. 

Website: https://www.fresnocitycollege.edu/student-services/disabled-students-program-and-services/index.html