Jan 17, 2022

Barton helping high school students get a head start

Posted Jan 17, 2022 9:30 PM

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

More and more high school students in Barton County are graduating with loads of college credits before they officially step onto a college campus. Barton Community College makes it easy for high school students to take dual-credit courses that count at the high school and collegiate level.

Class formats range from a Barton instructor at the student’s school, taught online, taught on-campus or by Zoom or an asynchronous online class they can work on at school or home.

Barton Coordinator of Community Education Karly Little said the dual-credits are so beneficial to high school students as the classes are built into their schedules.

"We know that high school students are doing lots of things at all times," said Little. "The more things that can be built into their schedule, the better. They get to build it into their high school schedule for the most part so they are receiving that extra support."

Barton has been working with area school districts since 2000, offering high school students dual-credit courses and a chance to get ahead in their college careers at a fraction of the price.

Little said the college is starting to reach out to homeschool contacts about providing the option to those non-traditional students.

"We stress the importance to these students of keeping their grades up and paying attention to withdrawal deadlines, because they are starting a college transcript in high school," said Little. "It's a double-edged sword. We try to keep them informed of those responsibilities."

Barton has worked to place advertisements in high school newsletters and yearbooks to spread the word to more high school students of their dual-credit enrollment.