• Home
  • Cooking
  • Frugal Living
  • Home Management
  • Homeschooling
  • Real Life

The Happy Housewife™ :: Home Schooling

homeschool tips, printables, curriculum reviews, and more

  • Printables
  • Themes
  • Projects
  • Life
  • Our Curriculum
  • Curriculum Reviews

Dual Enrollment

by Toni Herrbach

1shares
  • Pin
  • Share

Did you know that many homeschoolers graduate from high school with their Associates degree? Dual Enrollment is a great way for your child to get a head start in their college career as well as save money on their college education.

Benefits of Dual Enrollment

Free College Credits

In many states dual enrollment is free! This means your child can earn college credits at no cost. If they plan on attending a state school after graduation all these credits will transfer, therefore reducing the cost of their college education.

Preparation for College

Dual enrollment is a great way to ease your child into college. Community colleges are usually smaller and more laid back than a university. Your child can “try out” college before leaving home.

Relieves Teaching Responsibilities

If you don’t think you are cut out for teaching high school, dual enrollment classes can do it for you. Most colleges accept students at age 15 or 16 depending on their test scores. If teaching high school scares you, dual enrollment can help.

Preparing for Dual Enrollment

Raise an Independent Learner

If you think your child will be taking college classes in high school, start preparing them in the eighth grade. Let them take ownership of their education and see if they are up to the challenge. A child who needs constant daily prodding to finish their work in the tenth grade probably isn’t ready for college classes.

Let them Drive

For the first two months of dual enrollment I drove my daughter to college and back twice a week. If you don’t want to spend your school day in the car, make sure your child has their driver’s license before they start classes.  This will free you up to teach your younger children.

Prep for Tests

Most colleges require ACT/ SAT or college placement scores from homeschoolers in order to sign up for classes. Make sure your child is prepared for the standardized tests well in advance. The college placement test is free and is administered by the college.

Dual Enrollment isn’t for Everyone

Not every child is cut out for dual enrollment. If you aren’t comfortable with your child sitting in a classroom with thirty people they don’t know, ages 17-50 then consider online classes or waiting until your child is older.

The 10 Days Series is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutually beneficial projects.

More Homeschooling Through High School

  • Planning for High School and College
  • Grading a High Schooler
  • Choosing Curriculum
  • Help!  I Can’t Teach Calculus!
  • Don’t Think Your Child Won’t Cheat
  • Extra Curricular Activities
  • Wisdom from Debra Bell
1shares
  • Pin
  • Share

Comments | 3 comments

« Don’t Think Your Child Won’t Cheat
Homeschool and Extracurricular Activities »

Comments

  1. Tonya says

    at

    Both of our sons dual enrolled their senior years of high school. It’s great preparation for entering college full time and gives them that boost of confidence that they can do the work. That is, of course, if they have worked diligently in high school homeschool. Our younger son just had his last class today while in high school. Four classes for this year [4 high school credits = 12 college credits], and four A’s with which to start college = Happy Camper AND Happy Mom. 🙂 He was accepted at a 4-year university but has decided to get his A.A. at this same community college, for the reasons you described above–smaller classes, you get to actually know your teachers, etc. He will transfer to the 4-year university in his junior year.

    Reply
  2. Jolyn @blackbudgets says

    at

    My 16yo is currently in his first semester of dual enrollment here in California, starting out slowly with classes in French, Tennis and Music. We will continue to homeschool at home while taking advantage of certain cc courses as they fit his schedule and his goals.

    I will say that, although this idea looks great in theory, it is not something to be taken lightly. A certain level of maturity and independence should be recognized before throwing your kid out there, so to speak. My son recently had to make an appointment with his French instructor, for instance, to address concerns about his recent test and oral presentation. The instructor will not talk to me as the parent! This is made very clear, at least at this cc, at enrollment: the student needs to communicate with the instructor directly with any questions or concerns. As the parent, you are the best gauge to know if your child is ready for this level of responsibility. A college transcript is a permanent record, so make sure your teenager is ready!

    Reply
  3. dgsandbjsmom says

    at

    I fought in 1996 and 1997 to dual enroll in our local community college. In 1997 a local Christian 4 Year University allowed me to enroll and I took Bible Classes and Organ Lessons my Senior Year. The next year in 1998 the local community college allowed my brother to dual enroll as an 11th grader. He had a 105 average in Chemistry and his teacher loved him. His English professor introduced him to his two sons that were my brothers age and he spent his high school years hanging out with them. He ended up accepted to a top University and between the US Air Force and the University spent 5 years in college and owed nothing at the end. He also got offered a Fulbright Scholarship and another large award and he turned it down because he wanted to go in the USAF.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




STAY UPDATED!

Get every article delivered to your inbox!

CONNECT WITH ME

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Homeschool Projects & Experiments

Homeschool Projects & Experiments

Homeschool Garden Ideas on Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • 101 Things to Do on a Snow Day with Kids
  • Tips for Planning Your Homeschool Day
  • Properties of Water Experiments
  • Sight Word Bingo (Free Printable)
  • Lapbook Ideas
  • Resurrection Eggs with Bible Verses: Easter Craft & Lesson
  • How to Homeschool (even temporarily)

Unbiased Homeschool Reviews!

CONNECT WITH ME

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

RSS Manage Your Home

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

STAY UPDATED!

Get every article delivered to your inbox!

Snow Day Activities for Kids

101 Things to Do on a Snow Day with Kids

By Toni Herrbach 3 Comments

Tips for Planning Your Homeschool Day

By Toni Herrbach 11 Comments

homeschool curriculum reviews

CONNECT WITH ME

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316

Privacy Policy

HOME | CONTACT | ADVERTISING & PR | DISCLOSURE | PRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 – TheHappyHousewife.com. All rights reserved. | Design by Joy @ Five J's Design | Site maintenance by Klong Designs