Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students experience many benefits by participating in CalGETC, Dual, and Concurrent Enrollment. Students who take college courses while in high school get early exposure to college and learn how to be a successful college student. Students are also able to accumulate transferable college credits before they graduate high school, which can help them earn a college certificate or degree faster. Dual Enrollment courses are also 100% free for students, and our partner college, College of the Desert, waives enrollment fees for Concurrent Enrollment students. So students are able to save a lot of money while earning credit.

In addition, research from across the country has shown that Dual and Concurrent Enrollment provide many academic benefits to students. 

• Students who participate in Dual Enrollment have higher high school GPAs and higher high school graduation rates. 

• Students are also more likely to enroll in college after high school and have a higher first year GPA in college than students who did not participate in Dual Enrollment. 

• Students who take college courses while in high school also tend to have higher college retention and persistence rates. 

• There is also research that shows high school students who participate in Dual Enrollment are ultimately 2.5 times more likely to graduate from college than those who did not take any college courses in high school.

Information pulled from goldenwestcollege.edu

In Dual Enrollment and CalGETC, students enroll in Shadow Hills High School courses offered as part of a College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership agreement between Desert Sands Unified School District and College of the Desert. The classes are taught on our high school campus during school hours. Classes taught at our high school are restricted and are only open to students from our high school. These courses are completely free for students. Enrollment fees and college-related fees are waived, and textbooks are paid for by the district. Students receive both high school and college credit for completing courses in the Dual Enrollment program. The difference is that Dual Enrollment courses are chosen by students when available for the grade level. CalGETC students receive priority registration to a program that garuntees the student receives a CalGETC certificate when graduating high school.

In Concurrent Enrollment, students enroll in College of the Desert courses that are not covered by a CCAP partnership agreement with our district. The classes are taught either on College of the Desert's campus or online. Enrollment fees are waived but college-related fees apply. Students are also responsible for the cost of any books and supplies. Students receive college credit for courses taken, but their not receive dual credit towards their high school graduation requirements.

Any 9th through 12th grade student who attends Shadow Hills may participate in Dual Enrollment. Concurrent Enrollment and the CalGETC program are dependent to applications with the sites. 

Courses offered in the Dual Enrollment program have been approved for students to receive both high school credit and college credit. Talk with your high school guidance counselor for more information about the number of high school credits you will receive by passing courses in the Dual Enrollment program and the graduation requirements or electives they satisfy.

In Concurrent Enrollment, students receive college credit for courses taken, but will not receive dual credit towards their high school graduation requirements. 

All high school students taking College of the Desert courses through either CalGETC, Dual, or Concurrent Enrollment will have their grades appear on their College of the Desert transcript. A college transcript is permanent. Shadow Hills and College of the Desert therefore advises students to take these courses seriously, attend class regularly, and complete all required coursework. Students are also advised to pay close attention to key dates for all courses they are enrolled in. Dropping a class after the posted Census date will result in a withdrawal (W) grade on their transcript. 

CalGETC and Dual Enrollment courses will have theor grades appear on the Shadow Hills transcipt. Concurrent Enrollment courses will not appear. 

Dual enrollment students may take up to 15 units during Fall and Spring terms (a maximum of 4 courses per term), and up to 9 units in Summer.

Concurrently enrolled students may take up to 11 units during Fall and Spring terms, and up to 9 units in Summer.

Dual Enrollment students may take any of the courses offered through the Dual Enrollment program for that term at Shadow Hills,

Concurrently enrolled students may take any courses offered at College of the Desert for that term as long as the course has available seating. 

In both cases, if the course has a prerequisite, students must meet that prerequisite in order to enroll. Students who want to receive clearance to take a course with a prerequisite can submit transcripts and evidence of having fulfilled prerequisite requirements to College of the Desert.