Cost Benefits for Families

VCHS is thrilled to offer college courses on our campus for a fraction of the cost that families would pay at a four-year college or university. On average, VCHS students pay about $125-$145 per college credit unit—a fraction of the cost for that same class on a 4-year college campus. The estimated cost of completing 60 units while at VCHS is less than $9,000.

Benefits of Dual Credit for an Honors Student

• No other opportunity to earn college credits in an honors class
• Provides freshmen and sophomores more chances to earn college credit
• Honor students can still enroll in VCHS AP classes as they move through their coursework, since the honors classes fulfill different credits than the AP classes
• Students can start creating a strong college GPA, since concurrent credit classes allow students to earn actual letter grades instead of simply earning credit without an associated grade

Benefits of Dual Credit for an AP Student

• Allows students to lower the number of AP exams they must cram for
• Removes all of the weight on a high-stakes exam determining your college credit
• Students receive an official transcript, rather than a score that some schools won’t recognize
• Concurrent credit classes allow students to earn actual letter grades instead of simply earning credit without an associated grade

Other Benefits for Students

• Strengthens college applications
• Access to community college prices during a time of state budget cuts and impacted community college campuses
• Priority in class selection and housing when beginning college based on units completed
• Flexibility in class selection once at college
• Take fewer credits in college/slower pace
• Opportunity for a double major or a minor
• Move onto a 5-year degree or a master’s degree without incurring as much debt
• Enroll in a more expensive school for a shorter duration

What is the Risk?

• The credits might not transfer and you lose the money paid for the class.
• If your student does poorly in the class that grade will be reflected on the college transcript.
• If the class is dropped after the deadline, W/F will be given by the college.