Students from four local high schools experience college for a day
Posted on Monday, April 10th, 2017
Students enrolled in Dual Credit courses at Sir Robert Borden, Sacred Heart, North Dundas, and St. Peter Catholic high schools were on campus Thursday April 6, 2017 to learn more about college life.
The visit is crucial for students to not only explore campus, but to start talking about making the transition from high school to college life and thinking.
The visit is meant to give students who are enrolled in Dual Credit courses a glimpse into college life. Students enrolled in Team Taught courses differ from traditional Dual Credit students because they don’t come to campus for their courses. Instead, a college level professor comes to their class twice a week to teach in their classrooms.
The visiting Dual Credit students are currently taking college level courses in journalism, math, and drafting.
One of the biggest lessons of the day was reminding them that their college career had already begun.
“Your first day of college isn’t next September, it already happened in February,” said Jeremy McQuigge, Manager of Academic Partnerships in reference to the fact that these high school students are already yielding a college record.
The students are given Algonquin student numbers when their course begins and these student numbers will continue with them into post-secondary studies.
Students learned about all of the facilities and resources available to them on campus to assist with making the transition into college life.
After the campus tour, many students were impressed with the size and scope of the college.
“I couldn’t believe how big the campus actually is,” said Sacred Heart student Ashley. “It’s nice to see all of the different facilities on campus, it’s like you’d never even have to leave. Everything you need is right here.”
There are a lot of interesting benefits that come with the opportunity of taking a Dual Credit course in high school. For example, the high school students are not only given exposure to college life, they are also given access to all of its facilities. With the student number that they are given, they are able to play intramural sports, join a club, access resources through the AC Hub and Employment Centre, and even run for student government.
“The whole premise of the Dual Credit program,” says McQuigge, “is to show yourself that you are good enough to go to college”
The next Team Taught visit will take place on Monday April 10, 2017.
About Academic Partnerships:
Pathway Building since 2006. Academic Partnerships works with a comprehensive network of Pathway Builders (community, educational and government stakeholders) to create and deliver on a variety of experiential opportunities to be a college student through hands-on, curriculum-driven experiences for Pathway Explorers (students in grade 7 – 12). With a commitment to the dream development and pathway finding for students prior to starting full-time studies the team has programming at Algonquin College’s three Ontario Campuses: Ottawa, Pembroke, and Perth. For more information visit: algonquincollege.com/ap
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