High School Students Earn College Credit at Altamaha Technical College through Dual Enrollment Program
More than one hundred high school senior and junior students are taking advantage of dual enrollment opportunities between Altamaha Technical College (ATC) and local county high schools including Appling County Comprehensive High School (ACCHS), Jeff Davis High School (JDHS), Long County High School (LCHS), and Wayne County High School (WCHS).
 Through Dual Enrollment, these students are receiving training which “jump starts” their career by allowing them to receive high school course credit and college course credit while still in high school. These students are preparing themselves for gainful employment while also increasing their career opportunities.
And students currently enrolled receive the HOPE Grant. “With the new legislation passed this year high school students can use the HOPE Grant to cover tuition and receive a book allowance without hurting their HOPE Grant or Scholarship eligibility after high school,” stated Altamaha Technical College President Lorette M. Hoover.
LCHS and WCHS students attend the Jesup campus,  while ACCHS and JDHS students attend the Baxley or Hazlehurst campuses. “The students are at the college either first thing in the morning or the latter part of the day, depending on which high school they come from,” explains Rod Lane, ATC High School Coordinator. “They are no longer high school students while they are here, they are college students,” says Lane.
 Each ATC campus offers different programs for the high school students to take. LCHS and WCHS students take classes at the college such as Accounting, Automotive Fundamentals, Air Conditioning Technician Assistant, Basic Electricity, Flat and Overhead Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Industrial Fluid Power Technician and Patient Care Assisting (CNA). JDHS and ACCHS are enrolled in programs such as Diesel Engine Service Technician, Patient Care Assisting (CNA), Residential Wiring, Gas Metal Arc Welder, Industrial Fluid Power Technician, Programmable Control Technician, Food Production Assistant (Culinary Arts), and Overhead Shielded Metal Arc Welder.
As is evidenced by the photos, these students are getting “hands-on” training in the many courses for which they have an interest. They are developing the academic and occupational competencies needed for their career and will be prepared to enter the job market with a technical certificate of credit, plus taking college courses which will lead them toward their diploma from ATC. Students can then go on to continue their education at ATC, go to work in the industry, or attend a four year university with the skills they have acquired.
Parents or students who have an interest in finding out more about dual enrollment opportunities may contact Rod Lane at Altamaha Technical College, 912-427-5800 or 800-645-8284. New Classes begin in January 2009.
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