Dual Enrollment

• Dual enrollment is for K-12 students who wish to take college classes in addition to their K-12 courses.

• As Santa Paula students begin to think about college, many students may find they want something different out of their high school experiences. Whether students are looking to get a head start on earning college credits, explore subjects that aren’t covered in traditional high school classes, take on a more rigorous or engaging workload or get an early glimpse of life after high school, dual enrollment can be an excellent route to take.

• Dual enrollment programs can take a few different forms. Santa Paula High School has two forms:

  • Our high school students can go to any of the four Ventura County Community College campuses: Ventura, Oxnard, Moorpark, and/or Santa Paula (East Campus) to take their courses. This allows students to be fully immersed in a college setting with college students as peers. These courses are taught by college professors who are qualified experts in their fields.

  • Concurrent enrollment program that is also offered at SPHS is when the course takes place at Santa Paula High School. These courses allow students to remain on campus while still enabling them to take college-level courses. These courses may be taught by VCCCD’s professors or approved SPUSD high school teachers.

• It is important for students and their families to have a full understanding of dual enrollment before jumping into a program.

• Dual enrollment allows students to earn college credit while in high school, and it can be extremely beneficial. Studies have found a positive correlation between dual enrollment and short- and long-term student success, and students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to earn degrees and to do so sooner than other students.

Pros

• Dual enrollment can save you money on your college degree.

• Students get a head start on college credits

• Dual enrollment courses give students the opportunity to practice being college students. They will enter college with a better understanding of college professors’ expectations.

• Colleges offer a greater variety of classes, so students may find dual enrollment more engaging.

• Students can explore their chosen majors early.

• A college environment is better suited to some students’ social preferences and maturity levels.

Cons

• Credit earned through dual enrollment may not transfer to all schools.

• Student-athletes may affect their eligibility for college sports.

• If offered off the SPHS campus, traveling between high school and college campuses can be difficult.

• Entering college with credits can affect a student’s class standing and scholarship eligibility.

• Santa Paula High School and Ventura County College District have developed a strong partnership to offer this opportunity to our students in Santa Paula.