Becoming a high schooler comes with more and more responsibility. Getting your driver’s license, keeping up with extracurriculars, and picking out your own classes. Despite the excitement, many students neglect to do their own research when selecting courses. Public high schools have evolved to offer different kinds of academic endorsement. Center Hill High School offers a traditional diploma, but also a distinguished diploma that requires to take and pass (with a B) at least one Dual Credit or Advanced Placement course. Here lies the big question: Dual Credit or Advanced Placement?
Dual Credit courses offer students the chance to simultaneously earn high school and college credit. Dual Credit, commonly referred to as DC, courses have become more popular, as they’re looked at as a stepping stone between standard and advanced placement classes. At Center Hill, we offer a variety of Dual Credit classes. Some, like DC Psychology and DC Public Speaking, are only offered online, while others, like DC General Bio and DC US History, are offered in-person. All courses, however, are taught through either Northwest Mississippi Community College or Mississippi Valley State University. They’re weighted on a 4.1 scale, as opposed to a regular 4.0 scale, accommodating to the difficulty of the class.
Allen Sanders, instructor of Dual Credit Music Appreciation at Center Hill, acknowledges that his class is an elective, art, that every major requires.
“I like the fact that with Dual Credit, when you pass the class with a C or higher, you’ve obtained the college credit,” said Sanders.
Advanced Placement, AP, courses are college-level courses run through College Board, an organization that focuses on the success of students. Unlike Dual Credit, APs don’t guarantee credit for every student. You must take and pass the AP exam given by College Board in May; scoring is scaled from “1-5.” Scores from 1-2c are considered “failing” and 3-5 are classified as “passing” (receiving college credit). Because these courses are more rigorous than Dual Credits, they’re weighted on a 5.0 scale, rather than a 4.0. Center Hill has APs available from freshman to senior year, offering opportunities for upperclassmen to take multiple in one semester.
AP Language and Composition teacher Braidyn Creddle acknowledges the rigorous work that AP classes require, but claims it’s worthwhile because AP credits are more widely accepted than Dual Credits.
“There is an added element of fear in taking an AP class, that there is the possibility that you don’t get the college credit […] Dual Credit doesn’t transfer to a lot of out of state schools and it definitely won’t transfer to an Ivy League school,” Creddle explained.
Creddle hopes that her AP Lang students use the hard work as an incentive to pass the exam, earn college credit, and use that work ethic to succeed in life.
Both have many benefits, but the drawbacks may unintentionally prevent course enrollment. Taking college classes in high school can save money, but some students immensely struggle with paying for them. Although taking AP classes are free, AP exams cost around $90 each. Dual Credits can be far more expensive, costing anywhere from $75 to $200, not to mention each colleges’ enrollment fee. Taking all weighted courses can be expensive and risky, especially when it comes to APs, considering you might not pass the exam.
Dual Credit Music Appreciation instructor Allen Sanders said that AP classes are a better financial option for certain students.
“If you’re one of those people who’s going to apply yourself a lot, financially, AP is a better option,” Sanders claimed.
These expenses are why our school provides resources to limit the financial strain on families. At Center Hill, if you qualify for free and reduced lunch, you also have access to Dual Credit classes through Northwest Community College for free and discounted AP Exams. You pay $40 as opposed to $90, and you’re given a $25 refund after you take the exam.
Some students don’t find AP or DC classes appealing, so they tend to stick to standard level courses. Most get behind higher level courses because of the college credit available, but if you’re not planning on attending college, it takes the purpose out of the class.
Making these decisions about your future can seem intimidating, so make sure to use your resources. School counselors are available to help create schedules to fit your future. Reach out to college admissions counselors and see how many Dual Credits you’re able to transfer. Some colleges only accept a certain number of “hours”. Whether Dual Credit or Advanced Placement, do your own research and choose wisely.
