TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) -- A new partnership with Itawamba Community College is giving Tupelo High School students the opportunity to gain college credits before stepping foot on a college campus.
Educators announced the new dual credit/dual enrollment program Tuesday at a news conference.
Start in the fall of 2013, the Tupelo Public School District will begin implementing the program. The principal says it will give his students an early start on a diploma.
Incoming President of Itawamba Community College Mike Eaton says the partnership is a win-win for both sides.
"It was logical for us to partner here first. Now we will be working with our other schools in the district because they have already expressed interest, so I think it's an exciting time for both," said Eaton.
School officials say unlike advanced placement classes which require students to take a test in order to receive college credit, the dual credit program guarantees college credit if students pass the course. Tupelo High students will also be able to take online classes through ICC.
Tupelo High student Abby Hunt says she's been able to get some college classes out of the way by taking the advantage placement test. But Hunt says she's excited about the chance to get College Algebra out of the way through the ICC online program.
"Actually last year, I took an English AP test, and I comped out of one English class, and I'm hoping to comp out of another one this year, but what I really need to get out of the way is College Algebra. So I plan on doing that this summer online through ICC."
School officials hope this partnership will not only allow juniors and seniors to recieve both high school and college credit but also equip them with the tools needed to thrive at the university of their choosing.
