What is dual enrollment? Dual enrollment is when you take college-level classes but at the same time you’re earning college credits. It’s a great way to start college, especially during high school when you’re trying to figure out what you want to be and where you want to go. 

Ridgeview Counselor, Ashley Gonzales, says that Dual Enrollment is where students take classes at their school and can earn college credits for Bakersfield College (BC)  or Cal State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). A benefit that Gonzales states is, “If they´re taking a class here to earn that college credit, they don’t have to pay the amount of tuition that they normally would for the class over at the college.” The requirements to do Dual Enrollment is being eligible for A-G or having to be in a class that offers dual enrollment. Gonzales also says that “…any of my kiddos that are wanting to get ahead before they go to college, so if they want to get credits out of the way, Dual Enrollment and concurrent enrollment are classes that they can take and some kids earn their associate’s degree before they graduate high school.” 

Dual enrollment student, Giselle Alamillo, has been taking dual enrollment classes since her freshman year of high school. She took two U.S. history classes, and one psychology class.  The benefits Alamillo has gotten by being enrolled in Dual Enrollment have been college credits straight away rather than waiting. Alamillo says, “It can be a rigorous curriculum just because it’s a college class but the professors are nice.” She recommends dual enrollment to other students and thinks it’s something everybody should do. Alamillo also says, “If you take the class online or if you go in person they have different hard things unlike easy things, I would just say the distance just because it’s far, it wasn’t fun driving…” 

Another Ridgeview Counselor, Rebekah Ames says “If you’re going to take the class, a certain class already, so like government for example, we have a Dual Enrollment government class. You’re taking government anyway, it’s a graduation requirement so why not put in a little extra effort and get college credit for it at the same time.” If you are not on track for A-G requirements then you are not eligible to take the government class that is needed to graduate. Ames states that students have to be aware of what they can handle realistically, “That’s another component that’s pretty major like students have to be pretty self-aware like ‘What can I handle? What’s realistic for me? What’s not?’ because it can negatively impact. You guys are still kids, so on one hand it’s awesome because it’s an opportunity where you get college credits but on the other hand like I want you guys to enjoy your teenage years and your youth while you’re still in high school.”