For college-bound high school students and their families, earning college credit during high school has become an increasingly important strategy for academic advancement and financial savings. While Advanced Placement (AP) courses have traditionally been the standard approach, Liberty Christian School emphasizes dual enrollment opportunities as a more advantageous option for many students.
The Strategic Choice for College-Bound Students
Dual enrollment allows high school students to take actual college courses and earn college credits while still in high school. At Liberty Christian, we've found that this approach offers substantial benefits over AP classes for many of our students—providing what Principal Hills describes as "the bigger bang for your buck" in college preparation.
Understanding Your Options: Dual Enrollment vs. AP
Before exploring the advantages of dual enrollment, let's clarify the key differences between these two approaches to earning college credit in high school:
Dual Enrollment
- Students take actual college courses from accredited colleges or universities
- Credits are awarded upon successful course completion (typically C or better)
- Courses appear on both high school and college transcripts
- Classes may be taught on college campuses, at high schools, or online
- Actual college experience with college professors and expectations
Advanced Placement (AP)
- High school courses designed to approximate college-level work
- College credit depends on performance on a single end-of-year exam
- Scores range from 1-5; most colleges require 4 or 5 for credit
- Taught by high school teachers in the high school environment
- Credit acceptance policies vary widely among institutions
The Dual Enrollment Advantage at Liberty Christian
At Liberty Christian School, we prioritize dual enrollment opportunities for several compelling reasons:
1. Guaranteed Credit vs. Single-Test Risk
According to the College Board's own data, only about 60% of AP exams taken receive scores of 3 or higher, and many competitive colleges only award credit for scores of 4 or 5. Research from the Education Commission of the States shows that dual enrollment students, by contrast, earn college credit by maintaining a passing grade throughout the course, eliminating the risk of a single high-stakes exam determining credit.
For Liberty Christian students, this means:
- Reduced test anxiety and pressure
- Credit earned through consistent performance rather than one test
- Higher likelihood of actually receiving college credit
- More accurate reflection of true learning and mastery
2. Authentic College Experience
Dual enrollment provides students with an authentic introduction to college-level expectations:
- Experience with actual college courses, professors, and grading standards
- Development of college-ready skills like time management and self-advocacy
- Exposure to college teaching methods and assessment approaches
- Confidence building through proven success in genuine college work
- Smoother transition to full-time college studies after graduation
3. Greater Credit Transferability
A study by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers found that dual enrollment credits typically transfer more consistently than AP credits, especially within state systems. At Liberty Christian, we partner with accredited colleges whose credits have strong transferability.
Benefits include:
- More consistent acceptance across institutions
- Clearer transfer policies for planning purposes
- Actual college transcript demonstrating college-level achievement
- Credits that count as completed courses rather than electives
- Foundation for specific major requirements
4. Cost-Effective College Acceleration
The financial advantages of dual enrollment are substantial:
- According to the College Board, the average cost of a year at a public four-year college is now over $25,000 for in-state students (tuition, fees, room, and board)
- Many dual enrollment programs offer reduced or waived tuition for high school students
- Credits earned through dual enrollment can potentially reduce time to degree completion
- Earlier college graduation means earlier entry into the workforce
- Reduced student loan debt through accelerated degree completion
5. Broader Course Selection
While AP offers approximately 38 courses, dual enrollment opens doors to hundreds of potential college courses:
- More specialized options aligning with student interests
- Introductory courses in potential major fields
- Technical and career-oriented options not available through AP
- Greater flexibility in scheduling and format (in-person, online, hybrid)
- Opportunity to explore academic interests before full college commitment
Liberty Christian's Dual Enrollment Program
Our approach to dual enrollment is designed to maximize student success while providing flexibility:
Strategic College Partnerships
Liberty Christian has established relationships with accredited colleges and universities that:
- Offer reduced tuition for dual enrollment students
- Provide credits with strong transferability
- Maintain academic rigor and quality
- Support high school students appropriately
- Align with our academic standards and values
Personalized Academic Planning
Our Academic Dean works individually with students to:
- Identify appropriate dual enrollment courses based on student goals
- Create balanced schedules that manage workload appropriately
- Ensure courses align with college plans and potential majors
- Coordinate dual enrollment with Liberty Christian requirements
- Monitor progress and provide support throughout courses
Support Systems for Success
Dual enrollment students receive comprehensive support:
- Academic advising from both Liberty Christian and college counselors
- Study skills and time management guidance
- Regular check-ins with Liberty Christian faculty
- Communication coordination between institutions
- College application assistance highlighting dual enrollment achievements
Who Benefits Most from Dual Enrollment?
While dual enrollment offers advantages for most college-bound students, it is particularly beneficial for:
Self-Motivated Learners
Students who demonstrate:
- Strong time management skills
- Independent learning abilities
- Self-advocacy and communication skills
- Responsibility and follow-through
- Interest in authentic college experiences
Students with Clear College Plans
Those who have:
- Identified potential college majors or areas of interest
- Specific target colleges or universities in mind
- Goals for accelerated degree completion
- Interest in exploring academic fields in depth
- Desire to build college readiness before full-time enrollment
Students Seeking Financial Efficiency
Families focused on:
- Reducing overall college costs
- Maximizing return on educational investment
- Accelerating time to degree completion
- Building college credits efficiently
- Managing future student loan debt
Real Results: Dual Enrollment Success Stories
Liberty Christian students have experienced significant benefits from our dual enrollment emphasis. Our dual enrollment students have:
- Entered college with sophomore or junior standing
- Reduced time to degree completion by 1-2 years
- Saved tens of thousands of dollars in college costs
- Demonstrated greater college readiness and first-year GPA
- Gained admission to competitive programs with proven college achievement
- Completed prerequisites for specialized majors before freshman year
- Graduated college early and entered graduate programs or the workforce sooner
Addressing Common Questions About Dual Enrollment
Does dual enrollment affect high school GPA?
At Liberty Christian, dual enrollment courses are included in high school GPA calculations, typically weighted similarly to honors or AP courses. This recognizes the advanced nature of the coursework while maintaining consistent GPA standards.
How do colleges view dual enrollment compared to AP?
Research from the National Association for College Admission Counseling indicates that colleges increasingly value dual enrollment as evidence of college readiness. Many admission officers appreciate seeing successful completion of actual college courses as a stronger predictor of college success than AP exam scores.
Can dual enrollment courses fulfill high school graduation requirements?
Yes, at Liberty Christian, approved dual enrollment courses can fulfill specific high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning college credit, creating educational efficiency.
Is dual enrollment appropriate for all students?
While we believe dual enrollment offers advantages for most college-bound students, the specific timing and course selection should be individualized. Our academic counseling team works with each student to determine readiness and appropriate course selection.
How early can students begin dual enrollment?
Typically, Liberty Christian students begin dual enrollment courses in 11th or 12th grade, after establishing a strong high school foundation. However, exceptionally prepared 10th grade students may occasionally be approved for dual enrollment based on demonstrated readiness and specific academic goals.
How Liberty Christian Supports Dual Enrollment Success
Our commitment to student success in dual enrollment includes:
Careful Preparation
- College-preparatory curriculum building necessary academic foundations
- Study skills and time management instruction
- Technology proficiency development
- Writing and research skill building
- Self-advocacy and communication coaching
Ongoing Support
- Regular check-ins with dual enrollment students
- Communication with college instructors as appropriate
- Study groups and peer support networks
- Access to school resources for dual enrollment coursework
- Celebration of dual enrollment achievements
College Transition Guidance
- Transcript management for college applications
- Advising on credit transfer to target institutions
- College application essays highlighting dual enrollment experiences
- Scholarship searches emphasizing college achievement
- Planning for freshman year course selection based on credits earned
Taking the Next Step: Exploring Dual Enrollment at Liberty Christian
If you're interested in learning more about dual enrollment opportunities at Liberty Christian School, we invite you to:
- Contact our Academic Dean for a personalized consultation
- Attend our dual enrollment information sessions (held each semester)
- Review our current college partnerships and course offerings
- Speak with current dual enrollment students about their experiences
- Explore how dual enrollment might align with your specific college goals
At Liberty Christian School, we're committed to providing the most advantageous pathways to college success. For many students, dual enrollment represents the optimal strategy for earning college credit during high school—offering greater certainty, authenticity, transferability, and value than traditional AP courses.
When we describe dual enrollment as providing "bigger bang for your buck," we’re referring to the comprehensive advantages this approach offers: guaranteed credit upon successful course completion, authentic college experience, broader course selection, greater transferability, and significant cost savings on future college expenses.
We invite you to discover how Liberty Christian's dual enrollment program can give your student a strategic advantage in their college journey.
Want to read more? Check out our article discussing the differences between AP and dual enrollment classes.