Dual Credit is the term given to courses in which high school students have the opportunity to earn both high school and college credits, at the same time.

Typically, 3 college credits = 0.5 high school elective credit. For GCU classes 4 college credits = 0.5 high school elective credit.

At this time, dual credit courses cannot be used to substitute core high school classes and/or program requirements. For example ENG 100 cannot be taken in place of English 12.

Currently, dual credit courses offered in 2 formats: 

1.  During the regular academic year Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) classes are taught IN-PERSON on the KS Hawaiʻi High School campus, by our own KSH Kumu.

2. During the regular academic year and the summer, courses are also offered ONLINE, through our partner university ASU and are taught asynchronously by university professors.

KSH Kumu who have a Master’s Degree go through a “vetting” process whereby their education, credentials, professional involvement, experience, courses taught, syllabus, curriculum map, and graded student course work are examined by department chairs at HPU. They are “vetted” to be able to instruct for HPU.

In addition, KSH curriculum is aligned to current HPU course offerings, thereby allowing KSH Kumu to instruct our E Ola! driven curriculum at KSH for KS graduation towards an AA with ASU.

Highly motivated students who understand the seriousness of starting their college transcript while still in high school. Students with strong study habits, excellent time management skills, and the family support to carve out quiet study time at home.

To earn an Honors Diploma, seniors must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and earn first semester senior year grades of at least: B- in Regular, C+ in Honors, C- in AP, and B- in Dual Credit courses. This includes all Kaunaloa Dual Credit coursework. Meeting these benchmarks shows consistent academic excellence during your final year.

Students take dual credits for many reasons, some of which have been:

• To get ahead or get a jump start on college credits while in HS

• Cost savings for their families

• Potential to graduate from college earlier and start work, or grad school

Currently Kamehameha covers the cost for all dual credit course fees, books, lab materials etc. Students and/or parents/guardians will be financially responsible if the student fails to complete the course within the semester or if they receive a non-passing grade.

Students (and parents/guardians of students) enrolled in a Kaunaloa Program Dual Credit class through one of the post-secondary institutions below, may receive the following, in the mail:   1) Tuition Bill/Invoice; and 2)  Form 1098-T  

• Saint Louis University (SLU)

• Arizona State University (ASU)

• Grand Canyon University (GCU)

• University of Hawai’i at Hilo (UHH)

• Hawai’i Community College (HawCC) 

• Hawai’i Pacific University (HPU) 

1) DISREGARD any tuition bill/invoice sent from the universities/colleges.  You may keep the invoice as an educational record; DO NOT submit payment.  This section is to confirm that KS is billed each semester in one lump sum, and thus will cover the cost of tuition, books, and fees for students.  At this time our post-secondary partners are unable to remove Kamehameha students from their billing lists without removing them entirely from their automated communications systems.  

2) Students/Parents/Guardians may choose to, but ultimately DO NOT have to file a 1098-T for dual credit classes.  Per the IRS government website: “Eligible educational institutions file Form 1098-T for each student they enroll and for whom a reportable transaction is made.”  Thus, it is the legal right of the student to receive a 1098-T for any college class that they enroll in, regardless of who actually pays the tuition.  Again, because Kamehameha is paying tuition, you do not have to file to claim education credits.  Please speak with your accountant or financial advisor for specific guidance. Turbotax offers this explanation, HERE. 

Each college has their own policy regarding how many credits a student may transfer in, ranging from none at the most selective schools in the nation, to the entire number of credits earned at other colleges.  (Some of our past students have earned 30+ credits while in high school, and transferred them all!) Please check with each college individually for their specific programs and policies. For further inquiries, contact your/your child's high school counselor, or email: kaunaloa@ksbe.edu

No, the “clock” only starts when students enroll full time at a college, after HS graduation.

We have worked hard to make this program successful by:

• Keeping our HS students on campus where attendance matters

• Working to gradually build credits for students new to taking college courses 

• Student education is still Hawaiian and Christian base, infused with E Ola! outcomes

• Negotiating with SLU and HPU to allow our Kumu to instruct our students

• Partnering with colleges that offer proven quality online instruction, while acknowledging the existing rigor of KSH HS curriculum

• Allowing motivated and organized students to take online Dual Credit classes that fit their interests and schedules

HOWEVER, enrolling in dual credit courses is a high stakes decision for students and families as:

• Students are staring their college transcript as early as their freshman year of high school

• Students who engage in any academic dishonesty are subject to discipline under BOTH campus policies

• Earning and “F” will result in an “F” on the KSH and College/University transcript

• Colleges look at credits attempted vs. credits earned to meet Federal Financial Aid requirements. Thus, a student who takes just one dual credit course, and fails it, has failed 100% of credits attempted, and may NOT be eligible to receive federal aid for college

• Students who fail a course, must repay $300 per 3 credit course, and $400 per 4 credit course, regardless of if they are on financial aid (keep in mind all course costs are covered provided the courses are passed)

• The first way is for students to take in-person college courses is to look for Dual Credit courses when registering for classes, indicated by a “DC” in the course catalog, and in the online registration system.

  1. Please keep in mind that while every effort will be made to fulfill student course requests, a student’s academic schedule is subject to the course being available, the course being offered in a period that works in conjunction with the student’s other course requests, and any additional course prerequisites.

• The second way for students to take online college courses is to look for an announcement of open enrollment on the Kaunaloa Dual Credit Program home page. 

  1. Students will be required to complete an online application form for KSH and our partner university.

  2. Please keep in mind that while every effort will be made to fulfill student course requests, a student’s academic schedule is subject to the course being available, the course being offered in a period that works in conjunction with the student’s other course requests, and any additional course prerequisites.

College credits can only be transferred to the college/university by sending them an official transcript from the institution that you took "dual credit" classes from. Some colleges may make exceptions, but generally credits transfer for classes in which you earned grades of a "B" or higher.

Each school has a different method for which to request an official transcript.  Select the school below to see their process.  Note that all institutions, except for SLU,  have a processing fee.

• Arizona State University

• Grand Canyon University

• Hawaiʻi Community College

• Hawaiʻi Pacific University

• Saint Louis University

• University of Hawaiʻi  at Hilo