Since the 1990s, North Star members have been attending community college during their teen years. This program of Dual Enrollment has increased dramatically across the country, and now a surprisingly large portion of community college students are younger people. Today (Jan. 9th), NPR’s Morning Edition had a short story about this situation. The main ideas are that Dual Enrollment is good for community colleges and it is good for the students who do it! Who knew?
In all seriousness, we are huge fans and partners with our local community colleges, Greenfield Community College and Holyoke Community College. Their welcoming attitudes towards high school-age teens have made a tremendous difference in many lives. The combination of North Star, community college, a part-time job, and a serious hobby are the cornerstones for building a solid routine and structure without school. This lifestyle is truly a “head start on life” (the subtitle of my book!)
This pathway allows teens to step out of the familiar competitive high school resume building and college admissions process. Instead, these young people create their plans from scratch, while being accepted as mature young adults in the wider community. In the final chapter of my book, I offer a vision in which all 16-year-olds are offered this approach. I write something to the effect of:
Imagine at the end of 10th grade, the high school principal says, “You’ve made it to the end of compulsory schooling. As you know, we have two more years to offer you here, with AP classes, sports, electives, special trips, prom, and graduation! However, if you don’t want those opportunities, we’d like to offer you support to take classes at the local community college, get a GED, and find a job. We will not be offended; in fact, we will take joy in seeing you make the most of the next two years.”
I have not encountered any enthusiastic takers for this vision, but perhaps that will come in the next phase of my work!
On a personal note: not only have I supported hundreds of North Star teens to utilize dual enrollment, but also my daughter Claudia used this approach during her senior year of high school. She went on to the University of Vermont, which accepted all of her credits, allowing her to graduate in just five semesters.
Community colleges are the solution to many of our culture’s problems in both secondary and post-secondary education, and having high school students use them to spark their lives is just one of the highlights. Thanks to NPR for sharing this news! Enjoy the story.