Best of Both Worlds
October 17, 2023 2023-10-18 11:26Best of Both Worlds
On-campus FIU dual enrollment
High school and college act as a bridge between adolescence and adulthood. Preparing for success is crucial in this stage of life, and dual enrollment provides students with opportunities to flourish.
Deerfield Beach High School offers dual enrollment through Florida International University (FIU), where students can begin their post-secondary school transcripts by earning credit for college classes. The program essentially invites individuals as if they are members of FIU, only starting their college GPA in high school. It is an excellent opportunity to get ahead in earning credits, increasing GPA, and learning as an alternative to a full AP class.
Requirements to join dual enrollment include an unweighted 3.0 GPA, college level test scores in all areas; English, Reading, Math, and a counselor recommendation. Application is free and is typically offered by Ms. Tychesen as a Canvas inbox or through course requests. Course cards will be listed in February, where students can select a class for dual enrollment if interested.
Test scores such as an SAT reading level of 24, a writing and language level of 25, and a math level of 24 are eligible for acceptance. Standard ACT scores include reading level 19, English level 17, and math level 19. The Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test, or PERT, is also offered by Ms. Tychesen in January 2024 to enter. Necessary scores include reading level 106, writing level 103, and math level 114, or students can take the Accuplacer as an alternative.
The previous school year set up a unique roster of classes for dual enrollment into 2023. Unfortunately, several classes were rescinded for the teachers who left or became promoted, such as Ms. Cuevas’ ‘AP English Literature’, Mr. Taylor’s ‘Intro to Business’, and Mr. Pizzo’s ‘Intro to Education’. This year, DBHS still provides English Composition with Ms. Ashley Santy in room 517.
“I enjoy talking to my students about how language generally shows up in our lives, how they form community and how they navigate the world,” Composition teacher Ms. Santy said.
In class, students can expect the challenging education of college-level English with the nurture of a high school teacher. As in every dual enrollment class, the course follows a curriculum provided by a post-secondary institution, DBHS’ being FIU. The credit earned at the end of the course can be used in any accredited university, in-state or out.
“The nice thing about Dual Enrollment is you get a taste of the rigor of a college class but with a high school-level teacher who knows that you aren’t in college yet,” Ms. Tychesen said. “Here, you see your teacher way more than in college. It’s more hands-on.”
DBHS also offers an opportunity for those with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 who struggle to attain the requirements for dual enrollment. Strategies for Success provides students with the skills to succeed in college while earning credit for the course. Alternatively, students can attend Broward College for dual enrollment classes during the summer school year, all done through Nancy Carter or their guidance counselor directly.
Dual enrollment is an excellent opportunity to prosper academic skills while starting a college transcript. The courses are rigorous, but students can find a handful of helpful tools within the program. Although some of DBHS’ FIU classes were repealed, efforts are made to hopefully grow the list for the following year.
