In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael, welcomes Guy Curtis, Director of Marketing at Laurel Ridge Community College, and his guest Heather Burton, Interim Dean of Early College and High School Partnerships. The discussion centers around dual enrollment opportunities offered by Laurel Ridge Community College, which allow high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credits before graduating.

Janet introduces the topic and her guests, who elaborate on dual enrollment, its benefits, and the various programs offered. Heather explains that the college has 154 dual enrollment instructors who help over 2,500 students across the service region. She shares her personal experience with dual enrollment and emphasizes its benefits, including saving time and money and achieving academic credentials early.

The discussion also touches on the role of career coaches, who provide free services to help students plan their futures, explore careers, and prepare for college. Heather underscores the importance of working with career coaches and the various resources available, including free textbooks for dual enrollees at their high schools.

Guy Curtis shares his perspective as a parent of two high school students, highlighting how dual enrollment helps in college readiness, cost savings, and academic planning. He underscores the importance of early planning and communication with career coaches and school counselors.

Heather and Guy provide practical advice for parents and students on navigating dual enrollment, including the timeline for signing up for courses, the role of DE specialists, and the advantages of taking dual enrollment classes at high schools.

The episode wraps up with information on how parents and students can access these resources and the upcoming informational sessions. Learn more: https://laurelridge.edu/dual-enrollment/