Dual Enrollment at BHS

BHS is in its 3^rd year of offering Dual Enrollment courses with Middlesex Community College. These courses are offered during the school day. Many students and parents have questions about the process and program. Below are some common questions:

1. What is Dual Enrollment?  Dual enrollment is when a high school student not only receives high school credit, but college credit as well.

2. What Dual Enrollment courses does BHS currently offer? BHS offers Honors Calculus and Honors Portfolio Advanced Art as dual enrollment courses. These courses are listed as MAT 270Calculus I and ART 191 Independent Study: Portfolio on the Middlesex Community College transcript.

3. Who teaches these courses? The teachers teaching these courses are not only considered BHS teachers, but adjunct professors at Middlesex Community College.

4. How do students qualify for dual enrollment? For the calculus course, students are required to take the math ACCUPLACER placement exam and a precalculus challenge exam. If students meet qualifying scores they have the option to earn dual enrollment credit. For the art portfolio course, students are required to take the ACCUPLACER ELA exam

5. What is the ACCUPLACER test? ACCUPLACER is a suite of tests that determines your knowledge in math, reading or writing as you prepare to enroll in college-level courses. ACCUPLACER is used to identify your strengths and weaknesses in each subject area. The results of the assessment, in conjunction with your academic background, goals and interests, are used by academic advisors and counselors to place you in the appropriate college courses that meet your skill level.

6. Why are all students taking ACCUPLACER if they are not required to take the course? All dual enrollment students must take the ACCUPLACER placement test. By requiring students to take the test now makes things much easier next year in the event they would like to receive the credit next spring. Secondly, taking the ACCUPLACER provides the teacher with some very good curricular information before the start of the course and even allows the teacher to adjust the curriculum and/or have a better understanding about where to focus.

7. Are test scores released to any 3^rd party? Test scores are not released to any 3^rd party and are only used for placement purposes.

8. Are students required to take either course as dual enrollment? No, since students are required to pay a reduced fee for college credit, they do NOT have to participate in dual enrollment.

9. Are students guaranteed to be part of the Dual Enrollment Program once they register for the class with BHS? No, students must meet qualifying scores first in order to be considered for dual enrollment. After meeting the qualifying scores students are then required to complete an application.

10. What colleges or Universities accept Middlesex Community College credit? Both dual enrollment courses meet the requirements of the MassTransfer Block, which is a portable block of general education courses. While it is up to the receiving institution to determine if the course qualifies for course credit, we are focused on offering dual enrollment courses that are commonly transferable. For more information on the MassTransfer Block visit http://www.mass.edu/masstransfer/students/TransferBlock.asp.

11. How will my Dual Enrollement course be reported to any colleges that I apply to? This course will read (on the BHS transcript, reports card, etc.) that the student is enrolled in an Honors Calculus or Honors Portfolio Art course. In order for your dual enrollment course to be transferred to a college or university, you must request to have official Middlesex transcripts mailed to each of your respective colleges that you’ve applied to. This request is made through the Middlesex Community College website or Student Information Center.