Bright Spots

Daviess County Public Schools EmpowerU program is one of the largest dual credit programs in Kentucky. Through partnerships with local institutions, DCPS is focused on creating tailored experiences that meet the needs for students, the community, and the local workforce. Students can choose from pathways in Agriculture, Engineering, Life Sciences, Early College, Coding, Advanced Placement or Technical Courses. DCPS has intentionally created pathways for students to begin college-level courses while still in high school. Contact the team to learn more. 

High school students can get a jump start on their college journey, often at a reduced cost, through Discover College. This program with area high schools gives students a chance to really experience college before they graduate from high school. Many on-campus courses count for both college and high school credit.  

At Discover College, dual credit courses allow students to leave their high school and attend classes at an OCTC campus. Concurrent dual credit courses allow them to remain in their high school classrooms and earn college credit. 

Either option is a great way to Discover College at OCTC! 

Boone County Schools Early College Program provides students the opportunity to earn 24 college credits or more in one year that transfer to any Kentucky public two-year or four-year college. Through a partnership with Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More University, and Gateway Community and Technical College (GCTC), Boone County students attend college for a half day at the GCTC Florence/Union campus. Students are provided with college-level experiences in high school that better prepare them to succeed in postsecondary after graduation. Contact the team to learn more. 

Shelby County Public Schools has created a College and Career Readiness Coordinator position to help with advising capacity for students as well as to improve systems and processes around dual credit enrollment at two high schools. By continuing to fund this position after earlier grant funds ended, the dual credit program has expanded and student participation has increased. Eligible students and their families receive a letter that notifies them about dual credit opportunities and an invitation to an information night held at their school. Students continue to receive one-on-one support from counselors as well as the College and Career Readiness Coordinator while enrolled in dual credit courses.

The School-Based Scholars program (SBS) is offering a scholarship that will allow Kentucky high school teachers who need additional graduate hours to earn the credits needed to teach dual-credit courses in their high schools. Scholarship recipients will receive curated advising from the department that houses their chosen area of study to help them succeed. 

This scholarship is designed to give interested teachers the opportunity to earn up to 18 graduate hours needed to be credentialed to teach dual-credit courses in one of three content areas: communication, English, or history. It is preferred, but not required, that KY high school teachers who are interested in the Dual-Credit Instructor Credentialing Scholarship have earned a master’s degree from a regionally accredited university. 

The EDGE Program at Beechwood Independent Schools combines research and planning with industry and postsecondary institutions to create Core Concepts that guide Pre-K through 12th-grade curriculum. At the start of high school, students get to choose a minor 3-year course of study that culminates with a 4th-year internship, early college, or dual credit that is in alignment with their minor. Throughout their education, students are supported by a team of educators and seminar classes that connect learning and assist students with their pathways. 

Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) offers dual credit pathways programs to help high school students gain college credit while still in high school. Students enrolled in these programs take college courses offered by BCTC and earn both high school and college credit. Students can pursue pathways in Advanced Manufacutirng, Business, Construction Trades, General Education (transfer degrees), Healthcare, Transportation and Logistics, and many other pathways.

Southern Kentucky Community & Technical College (SKYCTC) offers merit and the DC to Finish Scholarship to students who enroll after high school graduation. The DC to Finish Scholarship is the highest available merit scholarship at SKYCTC and is available to students who complete nine or more SKYCTC dual credit hours with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. By offering a scholarship for classes students have already taken, SKYCTC is increasing access to Kentucky students. 

The Four Rivers Foundation (4RF) partners with school districts, school boards, and technical centers in the Kentucky River counties region to provide dual credit courses from Murray State University and West Kentucky Community and Technical College. KHEAA's Kentucky Scholars and Work Ready Dual Credit Scholarship provides funding for students to take these classes at no cost. The MSU Teacher Academy trains current teachers to become dual credit faculty, and adjunct professors from MSU travel to the schools in the foundation to teach college dual credit courses. Since 2010, students in 5 schools and 3 technical centers have earned over 16,600 dual credit hours.

Ludlow High School offers eligible juniors and seniors to participate in the Early College and Technical Education programs through Gateway Community & Technical College.  Dual Credit classes are typically held on the college campuses; the course counts as both a high school credit AND a college credit.  Some courses may be offered online or at local high school sites as well.  

Shelby County Public Schools has created a College and Career Education Magazine that showcases all the district has to offer in regards to early postsecondary opportunities. All SCPS students are expected to meet the postsecondary readiness requirements and be academically or career ready by graduation. By creating a comprehensive tool on available CTE, Work-Based Learning, and Dual Credit opportunities, students and families can navigate all that is available without having to heavily research themselves. 

EKU Dual Credit is a dual-enrollment program for eligible high school juniors and seniors that offers the opportunity to take college level courses for dual credit, high school credit and college credit, at a reduced tuition rate. EKU offers this program to public school, private school, and home school students in Kentucky. They are partnered with many schools and school districts to offer a variety of general education courses, career pathways, and student's future major required courses. Students can take these courses in their high school (if offered), online, and at the main EKU campus in Richmond, Ky or at one of the regional EKU campuses in Corbin and Manchester, Ky.