Accelerated High School Program
Colleges are authorized to enroll accelerated high school students who may earn college credit while still in high school. Unlike the Dual Enrollment program, college credit earned under this classification may not substitute for high school credit.
Drake State Community and Technical College is authorized to enroll accelerated high school students who may earn college credit while still in high school. Unlike the Dual Enrollment program, college credit earned under this program awards college credit only; no high school credit is awarded.
The Accelerated High School Program is available to students attending public, private, parochial, or church/religious school pursuant to §16-28-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975, or who are receiving instruction from a home school offering educational instructions in grades K-12, home schooled students and those receiving instruction through private tutors.
Additional requirements beyond the general admission requirements are:
- The student has completed the 10th grade;
- The student provides a letter from the local principal or designee certifying that the student has a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade average and recommends the student to this program with accompanying transcript;
- The student has completed the high school prerequisites for the course(s) in they want to enroll.
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The Chancellor may grant exceptions for a student documented as gifted and talented in accordance with Alabama Administrative Code §290-8-9-12. The exceptions only apply to additional requirements 1-3 above.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit is a program that allows eligible high school students to enroll in college courses while simultaneously completing their high school requirements. Students may take classes on the Drake State Community and Technical College campus or at their high school, earning both high school and college credit.
Course offerings are determined by the agreement between the college and the participating high school system.
Students must meet all course prerequisites prior to registration. Prerequisites may be satisfied by achieving the required minimum scores on a placement test or the ACT.
Dual Enrollment students have the opportunity to take courses at both their high school and on Drake State's campus.
Admission Eligibility
High school students must meet the following criteria to be admitted into the Dual Enrollment program at Drake State Community and Technical College:
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Be enrolled in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
- Obtain approval from their high school administration
Continued Eligibility
To remain in the program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in all Dual Enrollment courses
- Students who earn below a "C" or receive a withdrawal ("W") in any course will be suspended from Dual Enrollment for one academic term (excluding summer term)
- Students may reapply to the program after the one-term suspension
Re-Entry Requirements
To return to the program after suspension, students must:
- Reapply for admission to Dual Enrollment
- Meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 2.5 or higher
- Be approved by the Dean of Students
Tuition & Fees
Drake State has been awarded a Workforce Development Grant from the Alabama Community College System to support Career and Technical Dual Enrollment opportunities. This grant covers the cost of tuition and fees for eligible students for up to two courses.
Students are responsible for the cost of books and supplies. Those who wish to enroll in additional courses beyond the two covered by the grant may do so at their own expense. Please note that financial aid is not available to high school students.
Students may select a program of study from an approved list of career and technical or academic programs offered at Drake State.
Admission Application Process