College Corner

High school Juniors and Seniors who meet the following criteria will be allowed to have two excused days of absence for a college visit during the school year: 

• The student must have passed the required parts of the TAKS/EOC tests for the previous year. 

• The student must be on track to graduate on time. 

• The student must be classified as a junior or senior based upon credits earned. 

• The student must be passing all course work. 

• The student must meet the 90% attendance rule. 

• The student cannot have any disciplinary issues. 

The above may only be waived after an in-person meeting with the Headmaster and Advisor. 

Abilene Christian University

American University of Armenia

Angelo State University

Arizona State University

Austin College

Ave Maria University

Baylor University

Benedictine College

Blinn College

Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Catholic University of America

Christendom College

College of the Ozarks

Colorado State University

Cornell College

Dallas Baptist University

Drake University

East Texas Baptist University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Franciscan University

Greenville University

Harding University

Hendrix College

Hillsdale College

Houston Christian University

John Brown University

John Carroll University

Kansas State University

Liberty University

Louisiana State University

Lyon College

The Merchant Marine Academy

Midwestern State University

Mississippi College

Mississippi State University

Montana State University

Mount Saint Mary College

Newberry College

North Central Texas College

Oklahoma Baptist University

Oklahoma Christian University

Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University- College of Engineering

Oral Roberts University

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Purdue University

Purdue University- College of Engineering

Sonoma State University

South Plains College

Southern Methodist University

Southwestern University

St. Edward’s University

Stephen F. Austin University

Tarleton State University

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University-College of Engineering

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

Texas Christian University

Texas State University

Texas Tech University

Texas Women’s University

The University of Alabama

The University of Mississippi

The University of Oklahoma

Trinity University

University of Arkansas

University of Central Florida

University of Colorado

University of Dallas

University of Dayton

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

University of Minnesota

University of North Texas

University of the Ozarks

University of Texas at Arlington

University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas at Dallas

University of the Incarnate Word

Utah State University

Utah Valley University

Weatherford College

Western Washington University

Wichita State University

William Woods University

PSAT: Annually, roughly 10% of each FCAFM class features National Merit Scholars

SAT: 1246-1413

ACT: 29.8

*More information can be found within the Standardized Testing section of the Landing Page

All about the Associate Degree:

More high schools are now advertising the opportunity for students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree, often presenting this program as the fastest and most affordable path to college. For some select students, it can be an option that saves both time and money. However, for most, it may provide little advantage or even limit flexibility depending on their college and career goals. The right choice depends not on what sounds most impressive, but on where a student hopes to go after high school and how they learn best. Before committing to an associate degree pathway, families should carefully consider both the benefits and the tradeoffs to determine whether it is truly the best fit for their student.

What is an associate degree in high school?

For an associate degree in high school, a student typically completes 60+ college credit hours through dual credit and graduates from high school with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science from a community college.

Who benefits the most?

An associate degree can be a strong consideration for students who:

• know they will attend an in-state public university

• are seeking the most affordable path to a bachelor’s degree

• want to enter the workforce as quickly as possible

• plan to attend a regional university with strong articulation agreements

• have a clear career path where time-to-degree is a priority (such as some nursing pathways,

• paramedicine, paralegal studies, or cosmetology)

It is often not the best choice for students who are:

•  applying to selective in-state public universities

•  hoping for a competitive college or university

•  pursuing military academies

•  considering liberal arts colleges

•  undecided on a major

•  interested in engineering, architecture, business, sequential STEM fields, law, pre-health careers, teaching

Does it help you get into elite colleges?

Usually, no. Most colleges and universities are evaluating their applicants based on the rigor of their curriculum, grades, standardized tests (where considered), leadership, extracurriculars, writing ability, and letters of recommendations. Admissions officers care far more that you challenged yourself and were involved, than whether your transcript says "Associate Degree."

For example, consider these two students:

Student A:

• AP Calculus AB

• AP Physics

• AP Literature

• AP Latin

• AP Research/Senior Thesis (Original research)

• Active in orchestra, mock trial, and Eagle Scout

Student B:

•  Associate Degree

•  Mostly transferable core classes through a community college

Many selective admissions offices would likely view Student A as presenting stronger academic preparation. An associate degree itself is rarely an admissions advantage, but rather a faster and more affordable step towards a career immediately after high school (for students not planning to pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree.)

Will it shorten college?

Sometimes, but an associate degree in high school does not necessarily equal the first two years of college. Many universities accept only a limited number of transfer credits, and many do not satisfy major coursework. They might satisfy a general education requirement, but the same is true of AP and dual credit coursework. For many specialized fields of study (engineering, business, architecture, pre-health sciences, pre-law) there are sequenced course requirements beginning your first year of college, or specialized courses students are required to take at the college or university. Many colleges want students to complete their own curriculum with their professors. They want to make sure students are not overloading their college schedules with upper-level coursework and treating college as a checklist of credits. They want to ensure students are gaining a full college experience, and exploring internships, study abroad, switching majors, double majoring or minoring, completing honors programs, all while completing the coursework necessary to achieve a full education and find success after college.

Does it save money?

Sometimes, but again it depends. If you are planning to attend a community college or a state university, then completing specifically transferable core coursework can reduce tuition costs, but this would require you to know which university specifically you will be attending and you cannot apply to college until you have acquired roughly 20 high school credits (community college is different, see below). This is especially true in Texas because of statewide core curriculum agreements. However, many students who earn associate degrees still spend four years in college because they choose to double major, minor, study abroad, pursue internships, or they still have to complete prerequisite sequences and core curriculum requirements.

Other Considerations:

Students who arrive as juniors academically often still enter as freshmen socially and can miss out on programs and communities designed to provide a full college experience. Students might miss out on: freshman seminars, residential communities, work-study programs, scholarships (yes! Many scholarships are designed for entering college freshmen and renew annually if students maintain grades), relationships with professors and opportunities for internships and extracurriculars. Associate degrees are achieved via dual credit coursework in high school. While AP courses generate college credit only after earning qualifying exam scores, dual credit courses create an official college GPA beginning with the very first class. This can be an important consideration for students who may eventually apply to graduate, medical, law, or professional schools, where every college course taken may be included in admissions evaluations.

Finally, an associate degree pathway can sometimes prioritize accumulating credits over pursuing the most intellectually rigorous high school curriculum. Students may choose courses because they satisfy degree requirements rather than because they provide the strongest preparation for future academic work. For students whose goal is admission to selective colleges, a full-college experience, and who desire the broadest possible educational foundation and intellectual growth, an associate degree is likely not the strongest option for them. The question should not be, "How can I earn the most college credits while in high school?" Rather, "Which path best prepares me for the college, career, and life I hope to pursue?" That answer will be different for every student.

Associate Degree in High School vs After:

Students who complete an associate degree after graduating from high school spend two years immersed in a college environment, benefiting from college advising, campus resources, broader course options and generally just the maturity that comes with the transition to adulthood. These students are more able to intentionally choose courses based on their evolving academic interests and future transfer institution, and have the resources available to them at the community college that high schools do not have. By contrast, students pursuing an associate degree while in high school complete college coursework within the constraints of a high school schedule, often before they have finalized their college plans or career goals. While this can be a strong option for some students, it may reduce flexibility if they later decide to attend a college with different degree requirements or admissions priorities.

While earning an associate degree during high school is not always the best fit, completing an associate degree after high school at a community college can be an excellent pathway for many students.

Community colleges offer several distinct advantages:

• Significantly lower tuition. Students can complete the first two years of college at a fraction of the cost before transferring to a four-year university.

• Time. Many students discover their interests, improve their study habits, and become more independent before transferring because they have had more time to mature academically, emotionally and socially.

• Opportunity to improve academic records. Students whose high school grades or standardized test scores may not have made them competitive applicants can establish a strong college GPA and transfer successfully.

• Smaller class sizes. Introductory courses are often taught in smaller sections, allowing students greater access to instructors and individualized support.

• Greater flexibility. Students who are uncertain about a major can explore different fields, and a more diverse variety of fields than what most high schools are able to offer via dual credit, before committing to a specific program.

• Strong transfer pathways. Many community colleges have formal articulation agreements with public universities that make transferring straightforward and allow students to complete a bachelor's degree efficiently.

For many families, this pathway offers the best of both worlds: lower educational costs while still allowing students to enjoy a traditional college experience after transferring.