With college costs constantly soaring, many high school students are taking matters into their own hands: hacking the system to save themselves or their guardians thousands of dollars. This ultimate loophole is the Dual Enrollment Kirkwood Program. Kirkwood partners with local learning centers, including the high school, to let students take free online or in-person college-level courses. These classes are often extremely appealing to students because of their low cost and the ability to earn both high school and college credit at the same time, which ensures a smooth entry into future education. However, Kirkwood developed a new policy requiring students to prove that they have both a history of good grades as well as adequate current grades to take their anatomy class.
The high school also offers an introductory level class, focused on living organisms, usually taken by juniors and seniors, taught by science teacher Garrette Williams. This course, while not as extensive as Kirkwood’s, is still a great stepping stone into the field of science. This class offers many dissection labs, including dismembering a jack rabbit and a lamb’s heart, as well as other enjoyable activities. Williams said, “Students taking this class want to have some sort of science career in the future and want an opportunity to figure out if this is the right path for them.” He declared that his class is more stimulating and lab-based compared to Kirkwood’s lecture-based course. Williams advises that students take whichever class they feel will benefit them in the future and ensure they have an adequate final grade.
One student who has recently taken this course is Haiden West, senior. She initially took this class to earn college credit and to further her experience for her future career. She said, “Anatomy is hard, but it has prepared me for future college life.” West appreciates all of Kirkwood’s efforts toward helping teenage students reach their goals. She also recommends taking the college-level course over the high school level because of the credit offered. “High school anatomy is a good start, but taking it at Kirkwood offers a more challenging and exclusive experience,” said West. Overall, she does not regret taking this course as opposed to Williams’s class, as it has given her more background knowledge of the subject. She also agrees with Kirkwood’s new policy as she thinks students taking college lessons on a whim are wasting both professors’ and classmates’ time.
Kirkwood’s Anatomy is a more extensive version of the course offered at the high school. It can be a substantial head start in getting the science general education credits done. Tom Kettmann is the junior and senior class counselor at the high school. As someone who walks with students through the process of entering “the real world,” he oversees the classes these students take, including any college programs. Kettmann said, “I advise that eligible students take the Kirkwood level courses since you get free college credit.” He wants every student to eventually take a few college classes to gain the advantage of this fantastic opportunity of free courses, where one would otherwise have to pay thousands of dollars. He also said, “If I were a student here, I would certainly be taking these classes.” However, he also recommends only taking these if one is serious about school, as Kirkwood’s new policy states.
College can be immensely stressful, whether one is apprehensive about starting a new chapter in their life, meeting new people, or being on their own; one less obstacle to worry about can be abundantly helpful. Kirkwood’s Dual Enrollment Program aims to do just that with a cost-free approach to college. These courses are essential for ambitious high schoolers, as they can also give students an academic edge compared to their peers who do not take college classes. Their new policy on having acceptable grades for their anatomy course just accentuates how seriously Kirkwood takes the betterment of their students.
