by George Awkard ‘25

The Dual Enrollment program offers a gateway to college that all students enrolled at MCPS high schools can experience. Both MCPS and Montgomery College (MC) work in synergy to provide a hybrid or full experience of college at MC with students who attend regularly. Dual Enrollment through MC allows students to earn college credit and even an associates degree depending on the pathway students follow. Aside from the General Dual Enrollment Program, MC includes pathways students may take depending on a need basis, and there currently are 40 students total at Sherwood who are taking Dual Enrollment classes.

Early College is a pathway that students in 10th grade can apply to and immerse themselves in a full college experience with no requirement to attend any Sherwood Courses. In addition, Middle College slowly introduces 9th grade students to college coursework and eventually immerses them in a full college setting at MC as seniors. Jumpstart to College provides college course opportunities at MC while taking courses at Sherwood as well. To qualify for these pathways, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for a senior, and a 2.75 for students in grades 9-11. Alissa Margolis, who is a Dual Enrollment Program Assistant (DEPA) at Sherwood, states that students are also required to meet several prerequisites and need to submit SAT, ACT, or placement test scores to qualify. Sherwood also requires that interested students speak to their parents, counselor, and the DEPA and get them to sign the forms for approval necessary to attend and apply.

MC previously required tuition payments for a student to take a course at their campuses; however, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, MC no longer charges MCPS students to take a class at their campus, even though summer courses still require payment. Students who were previously enrolled and charged for their courses taken during the 2022-2023 school year were forgiven of their tuition.

Likely, the main appeal of Dual Enrollment is that it jumpstarts a more affordable path to a college degree. “It gives access to people who may not be able to afford regular college,” said Jayden Jordan, who is in the Early College program at MC. “It also gets rid of the fact that people are scared to go to college because of the student loans that come with it.”

Dual Enrollment at MC comes with benefits and disadvantages. Adjusting to a new experience can be hard but allows for students to complete college ahead of their peers and allows them to get a valuable college experience. It also allows them to earn college credits and transfer them over to most colleges. However, Dual Enrollment, depending on what program students are in, may lead to feeling isolated in a new environment. Failing a class at MC also would damage both high school and college transcripts.

Additionally, transportation is not provided for students. “You’re in charge of your own transportation; however, if we do get enough interest at this school for 20 or more, we can offer classes at the school” said Margolis. “I think Dual Enrollment is an amazing program. Although it’s not for everyone, it’s definitely something everyone should look at and see if it’s right for them.”