Huntsville City Schools, Alabama A&M launch new dual enrollment program

aamuhcsmou1 — Huntsville City Schools and AAMU have joined forces to create a new dual enrollment program. (AAMU)

Alabama A&M University and Huntsville City Schools announced this week the two educational entities have launched a dual enrollment program for high school students.

Beginning this fall, the program promises to enhance pathways to higher education for HCS students and boost student achievement.

Huntsville City Schools + AAMU partnership

Alabama AM University 6 1 — Alabama A&M will offer college-level credits to Huntsville City Schools students. (Hville Blast)

Under the new partnership between the college and the Huntsville school system, Alabama A&M University will offer college-level credits through courses taught by university faculty.

Here are some more details on the agreement:

High school students in HCS can take AAMU courses which will earn both college credit and satisfy high school diploma requirements.
Students must be in grades 10-12 and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Students may only take one academic dual enrollment course per each academic term.
The AAMU dual enrollment partnership takes effect with the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

“This is only the beginning of the great things you’ll see from this partnership between our district and this University. We’re committed to working together to provide excellent opportunities for all students.”
Dr. Clarence Sutton, superintendent, Huntsville City Schools

The advantages of dual enrollment programs

PXL 20220323 163029522.PORTRAIT 1 — Huntsville City Schools has had a dual enrollment program partnership with UAH as well. (Michael Seale/Hville Blast)

Huntsville City Schools dual enrollment programs have been successful in the past. The system currently has similar agreements with Drake State, Calhoun Community College and the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

These programs do help high school students get ahead of their college coursework while still in high school, but these programs also prepare high school students for the type of classwork they will see in college.

“The greatest benefit is how we will contribute to student learning,” said AAMU Vice President for Academic Affairs . “There has always been a concern about students’ writing ability when they leave high school and come to a post-secondary institution. I see this as an opportunity for us to actually do something about it. We’re preparing students to engage critical thinking and enhance writing ability.”
Dr. John Jones, AAMU VP for Academic Affairs

Interested students or parents of HCS students can find more information on dual enrollment programs here.

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