Community colleges nationwide are experiencing a surprising surge in enrollment from an unexpected group: high school students. A recent report from New America reveals that a remarkable 20 percent of students in college courses are still attending high school. This practice, known as dual enrollment, offers significant benefits for high schoolers planning on higher education. It not only prepares them for the rigors of a postsecondary environment but also allows them to earn low-cost, or even free, college credits before starting a bachelor's degree. In this article, we delve into this growing trend and explore how engaging with community college courses can kickstart the path to a college degree for high school students, including those at SEED.
Unlocking Key Advantages
The 2.5 million high school students in the United States participating in dual enrollment programs gain a range of invaluable advantages from these increasingly popular academic partnerships. Students acquire firsthand experience tackling college-level coursework and can significantly reduce future educational costs by accumulating early college credits. Research from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) highlights these profound benefits: "Dual enrollment programs were found to have positive effects on students’ college degree attainment, college access and enrollment, credit accumulation, completing high school, and general high school academic achievement."
Taking advantage of dual enrollment opportunities enables students to immerse themselves in the more independent learning environment they will encounter in college. As the IES further explains, "Allowing high school students to experience college-level courses helps them prepare for the social and academic requirements of college while having the additional supports available to high school students." This exposure fosters a smoother transition, reducing the typical shock of moving from high school to higher education.
Significant Financial Savings
Saving on college costs by accumulating credits before enrolling in a four-year institution is another compelling advantage of community college classes. We all know that higher education can be expensive, and the financial burden disproportionately affects students from low-income families. They are more likely to accrue substantial student loan debt or face deferring or delaying college completion due to financial challenges. By taking community college classes—often offered for free at many high schools, including SEED, or at significantly lower cost—students can enter college with a head start on credits. This early credit accumulation demonstrably increases the likelihood of earning a college degree.
Trinity's SEED Success Story
For recent SEED MD graduate Trinity (SEED MD ’25, University of Maryland, College Park ’29), the dual enrollment partnership with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) proved transformative. It not only allowed her to explore new subjects of interest but also significantly advanced her progress toward her college degree. "At CCBC I took courses in areas such as psychology, childcare and development, and sociology, and I especially enjoyed learning about how the mind works," Trinity shares. "It has also been rewarding to know that taking these courses will help me kick off my college journey strong with 30 college credits already under my belt."
Trinity’s SEED college counselor, Michael Walden, underscores the profound impact of dual enrollment. "Dual enrollment classes have significantly impacted SEED graduates," he states. "They have not only provided students with earned college credits toward bachelor’s degrees but also offered the rigor and experience needed to successfully transition from high school coursework to college-level teaching styles, content, and expectations. We strongly encourage all students who are able to take advantage of dual enrollment courses because they have proven to be a valuable tool for preparing students for college success."
Building Blocks for Postsecondary Success
Dual enrollment is just one of many powerful resources SEED students can utilize to prepare for postsecondary success. Each college knowledge and exposure opportunity, whether in the classroom or through community partnerships, serves as a crucial building block for success—to, through, and beyond college.