Port Angeles High School students can earn tuition-free college credit while remaining on campus with their friends and peers.
(CHS) courses provide college-level academic and Career and Technical Education (CTE) College in the High School experiences on the Port Angeles High School campus. These classes can transfer to any two- or four-year university program, even outside of Washington State.
Private school or homeschooled students can enroll and participate in PAHS College in the High School courses. The Port Angeles School District believes dual credit courses should be accessible for all students. The school board approved district funds to pay for the college tuition for all students who utilize these course offerings.
“Students remain on campus and can experience the social aspects of high school. Another great benefit of the program is that the school district completely pays for it,” says Carmen Geyer, Communications and Community Relations Coordinator for Port Angeles School District.
In addition, students may take CHS classes like accounting, business communication, advanced placement computer science, marketing, world history, chemistry, calculus, and astronomy. Studies have shown that students who complete dual credit courses are more likely to graduate on time, enroll in post-secondary, persist at the post-secondary level, or transition into a career.
Port Angeles High School graduate Maizie Tucker took advantage of the College in the High School program, and says she saw many benefits, particularly the social aspect.
“That was the main reason I did it. I was involved in many things in my school; I was gymnastics captain, senior class president, and I was involved with the yearbook. I was glad be able to stay involved in those activities while earning college credit.”
Tucker also appreciated that classes are taught by high school teachers rather than college professors. “The main class that I took was pre-calculus, which was taught by a math teacher that I already knew, which was great,” Tucker says.
The opportunity to be better prepared for college courses also gave Tucker a solid start.
“The rigor of the classes in college is a lot, and this program got me ready for them. College prep classes don’t prepare you quite as well as the CHS courses,” she says.
To learn more about how the Port Angeles School District saves money for families by providing this amazing program, visit their counseling department page, or read a report on dual credit programs enrollment here.