College Readiness Options Prepare Graduates for Success
On average, more than 90 percent of Wahlert Catholic graduates attend post-secondary education, and for the class of 2020, that number increased to 98 percent. With the majority of its students continuing their education beyond high school, Wahlert provides ample opportunities for students to prepare and obtain college credit through advanced placement (AP), placement in college credit (PICC), or concurrent enrollment courses through area colleges.
“Wahlert offers students credit-bearing post-secondary courses, workforce or military training, certificate or licensure programs, and apprenticeships or internships,” says Katie Lenart, Wahlert guidance counselor. Wahlert students, to their credit, make the most of the opportunities presented to them. In 2020, 94 percent of seniors enrolled in at least one college readiness opportunity, and nearly half completed internships while in high school.
The most well-known college credit options at Wahlert are its 13 AP courses. These courses are taught by AP certified teachers, who prepare students for the final AP exam. The final AP exam scores on a scale of 1-5, and students achieving a 3 and above, pass and can earn college credit. However, credit earned is determined based on the accepting college or university.
“Each college is slightly different about which grades will transfer. My best advice about this is to check each college you are interested in to see what they will or won’t accept,” said Julia Norton, 2020 Wahlert alumna and neuroscience major at Notre Dame.
Wahlert Catholic also partners with area colleges to provide a variety of credit options such as statistics, oral communication, and psychology. The guidance office works with students to develop a schedule that allows them to participate in their college courses during the school day.
Wahlert alumnus Dalton Avenarius enrolled in an online speech and, a student favorite, college writing as a senior. Taught by Ms. Gaul, the class takes place on campus and is graded like a college course.
“The College Writing course helped bring out a creative side and allowed me to recognize both my strengths and weaknesses when writing,” said Avenarius. “Doing the online speech class and college writing were both able to give me an idea of the structure, pace, and grading for college material and classes.”
The Wahlert guidance office connects senior students with local businesses for potential internships.
“This option allows students the opportunity to test out a potential career area. It gives students real-world experience and helps them make a more educated decision about their future career,” Lenart said.
Belle Pole, 2020 alumna and biology pre-med student at the University of Iowa, completed a public health internship with Hillcrest Family Services during her senior year. She traveled around Dubuque schools giving presentations about the consequences of tobacco and nicotine.
“Hillcrest was willing to work with me, and I gained a greater understanding of what goes into working in the public health field,” she said.
All of that college preparation in high school leads to cost savings as well as recognition. The 108 graduates in the class of 2020 earned 1,090 college credits alone, proving they have faced the rigor of college coursework and may be better prepared than their peers.
“These courses may set you apart from those who take a lesser course expectation load while competing for scholarships and financial aid packages,” said Wahlert Principal Ron Meyers.
Pole recommended college credit courses in high school commenting that it has provided an advantage.
“Not only is it much cheaper,” she said, “but it sets you so far ahead in college. I came in with 15 credits, which technically puts me in a semester ahead.”
Article submitted by Wahlert Catholic Senior Catherine Curtiss. Curtiss is involved in cross country, serves as the treasurer for NHS, and is president for STOP and Creative Writing Club. Catherine is also the 2020 senior intern for the Holy Family Enrollment and Advancement offices.
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