College Credit
College Credit Options for High School Students
College credit can be earned by high school students in various ways. Each program has different application processes, deadlines, and fees.
Mr. Tommie Davis is the school counselor in charge of Advanced Placement (AP) testing, College Now, Quickstep, and Baker credit.
For more information, have our student log into Canvas and the SMW Student Services Canvas page. Then select the College Credit button. Below is more detailed information.
Tabs
- Overview of all programs
- Concurrent/Dual Enrollment
- Early College at SMW Campus
- Early College @ JCCC Campus or Online
- AP Classes (Advanced Placement with College Board)
Overview of all programs
Overview of all programs
College Credit Options Advanced Placement, Baker, JCCC, etc.
Advanced Placement ®: Basics |
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AP® courses are college-level courses offered in high school
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Scores scaled from 1-5, with 5 being the best
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A score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam may earn a student college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college
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Each College has an AP Policy. Students should check colleges of interest on how scores apply. Simply search “AP Credit” on the college’s website.
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Testing for AP runs in early May (May 1-5 & 8-12) and dates are not flexible
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https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/
AP®: Benefits |
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Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills
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AP® designation on high school transcript which reflects student
challenged themselves in class choices
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Opportunity to earn college credit or advanced standing in college
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Credits more widely accepted than dual credit, especially at selective colleges
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Less expensive than dual credit
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Students do not have to take the 2nd semester final if they take the AP test
AP®: Things to Consider |
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Students need to do some of their own preparation outside of class to be ready for AP exam
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Student has one chance to perform well on day of testing
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Differences between how credit is awarded and applied
AP®: Registration Process |
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1. Create a College Board Account (Student, NOT parent)
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/
DO NOT create account unless you are positive there is not an account (use “forgot username” or ”forgot password”)
This should be the student but if a parent created one previously then the student will use that account, DO NOT create another account
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Get classroom code from teacher of course to register in AP Classroom
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Choose Yes or No for AP Exam Registration for each individual AP Class/Exam
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Pay Fees through Total Registration
http://www.totalregistration.net/AP/172773
**Mr. Davis will visit all AP classrooms; actual exam registration will not start until the
beginning of September**
AP®: Deadlines & Costs |
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- Test registration and fee payment deadline November 2nd. Cost per exam: $105 if ordered by November 2nd
- $40 Late fee (charged by CB, not SM West)
- $40 Penalty for cancellation or non test (charged by CB)
- AP Macroeconomics exam registration deadline is March 3rd
Other Types of College Credit |
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Concurrent or Dual credit enrollment (College Now/Baker) – When a high school student takes a SMW class from a high school teacher and receives both high school and college credit. There is no limit on the amount of credit a student may earn.
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Quick Step – When a high school student takes a college class on a college campus. There is no limit on the number of credits. A senior may be able to get release time to do this. Grades are brought back to high school transcript if they use release time.
Who is eligible for either program? |
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According to the Kansas Board of Regents, any freshman (with a gifted IEP), sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school are eligible to take classes for college credit.
Baker University Credit |
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Teacher Education – 4 credits
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AP Psychology – 3 credits
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AP US History – 3 credits each semester
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3.0 GPA required
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$113 per credit hour
Baker University Credit |
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Enroll online at:
https://www.bakeru.edu/concurrent-credit/
Must pay at time of enrollment or send check in to Baker University.
Deadline is Friday, September 9th – but please don’t wait until the deadline!! Act now!!
Baker University Contact Information |
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Lanie Fasulo
Coordinator, Concurrent Credit Program ì Baker University
913-344-6013
Lanie.Fasulo@bakeru.edu
College Now: Steps to Enroll |
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Apply to JCCC free, one-time application www.jccc.edu
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Provide ACT scores or take Accuplacer test (if needed)
ACT scores are on the SMW transcript. Transcripts can also be hand carried.
The Accuplacer test is available at the JCCC testing center for students who have not yet taken the ACT or did not earn the necessary score on the ACT
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Enroll using CRN numbers provided by JCCC These are provided on our counseling website and yellow handouts
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Pay for the class Current cost is $97/credit hour
College Now Program |
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Submit test scores if needed
JCCC Class |
SMW Class |
Test Score Needed |
ENGL 121 Composition 1 |
English 12 AP |
19 on ACT English or Unweighted GPA of 3.0 |
MATH 241 Calculus 1 |
AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC |
28 on ACT Math |
MATH 181 Statistics |
AP Statistics |
23 on ACT Math |
Students can send requests to tommiedavis@smsd.org for transcripts to be sent to JCCC if they know they have the appropriate ACT Math and/or English sub-score. JCCC Placement Information
ACCUPLACER Testing at JCCC |
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Option to get the needed test score if student has not taken ACT or does not have qualifying score.
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Look at website for hours, study guides, and what to bring to testing. http://www.jccc.edu/testing/
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Very important to follow their rules.
JCCC College Now Costs |
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Cost is $97 per credit hour.
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All courses are 3, 4, or 5 credits
($291, $388, $485)
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There is a grant program for students on free or reduced lunch for JCCC College Now only (sorry, Baker does not have an assistance program). See JCCC’s Financial Assistance Website.
Benefits of College Now/Baker |
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Quality Instruction – All instructors are qualified high school teachers that have similar experiences of faculty on campus
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Low Cost – Significantly lower than area colleges & universities KU - 3 credits = $1008($336/hr) KSU - 3 credits = $948($316/hr)
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Schedule flexibility in college – Students complete general education courses while still in high school
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TEXTBOOKS ARE PROVIDED – Saves $$$
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JCCC Campus Access – Students have access to all resources that are offered to other JCCC college students, such as the Math Resource Center, the Writing Center, library, and computer labs
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May allow a student to graduate from college early, graduate on time, do study abroad without additional semesters, double major, add a minor, etc.
How do these classes transfer? |
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JCCC/Baker classes have excellent transferability to colleges or universities in the state of Kansas but it may differ between each individual school and/or major. Check the websites for transferability or contact the school directly. Contact college personnel when in question.
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How it transfers to each individual school and major may be different. Always contact college personnel when in question. Ask if the classes are figured into that school’s GPA or just transfer as credit.
College Now Program |
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Keep in mind:
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Wise to see how the college of choice will accept and apply the credit specific to potential majors
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Grade is on the actual college transcript (check with college to see if the classes are figured into that
school’s GPA or just transfer as credit)
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Explore drop policy (“forget” to drop = F)
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Parents and students must do some research to make sure this is a good investment and proper course selection
College Algebra/Trig Math Class |
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Not part of the College Now program. Called Quick Step Plus.
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JCCC representative will be in classes in September to explain program. Mr. Swafford can answer questions.
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Deadline to enroll is different than College Now deadline. It is October 7, 2022. (firm deadline)
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Must have appropriate:
”B” or higher in 2nd sem Alg 2 AND 3.0 GPA, ACT math score (22) or pass ACCUPLACER placement test at JCCC to take class for credit.
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Quick Step Plus College Algebra Website
World Language & College Now |
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Spanish only at SM West
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Students are advised to check with colleges they may want to attend to find out their policies. Our Spanish teacher can give some additional advice. Please email her questions.
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If students want to continue studying the language, it may be wise to take a placement test in college to determine placement.
2nd Semester Courses |
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Some classes will need to enroll again 2nd semester if you want the additional hours. (Example: AP English Literature, 12th)
JCCC College Now Deadlines |
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MEET THE DEADLINES!!!
August 26 – Application priority deadline
September 16 – Placement testing, enrollment deadline, payment DUE at JCCC
JCCC College Now Contact |
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Rhiannon Minster Recruiter/Admissions
Johnson County Community College 913-469-8500 (Ext. 3967) rminster@jccc.edu
Can a student do both? |
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Yes, a student can take College Now/Baker and also take the AP exam. You will need to check with colleges to see how they handle a student who has both AP and college credit.
Most students choose to do one or the other.
Many students optimize their college credits with a combination of AP and College Now.
Consider the financial cost of doing both.
AP English Language Test |
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Juniors who took the AP English Language Test last spring & received a 4 or 5 (and maybe a 3) may already have earned credit at their college choice. Check colleges’ AP policies before enrolling in Composition 1 this fall.
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Juniors in AP Eng Lang, 11th – can take AP test, but this is not a College Now class.
Articulated Credit (Career Pathways) |
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Can link career-related classes from high school to the same or similar program at JCCC for credit towards a JCCC associate degree
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Career-related courses that could articulate to JCCC programs include hospitality and culinary, accounting, business and marketing, graphic and web design, interior design, computer programming and more.
Create a College Wishlist |
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Make a list of 5-10 colleges that your student is interested in applying to
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Become familiar with admission requirements and application materials for each college
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Connect career path interest with majors available
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YouScience is a great resource for information on potential career paths (activities during advisory)
Take the ACT |
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-Required at many 4-year universities (there are also many schools who have adjusted this recently)
i-Register online at act.org
-Exam fees:
-Full Test, Without writing: $63 ì Full Test With writing: $88
-Waivers
Students on free or reduced lunch qualify for four ACT fee waivers throughout their high school career.
Upcoming ACT Test Dates |
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Test Date |
Regular Registration Deadline |
Late Registration Deadline (late fee applies) |
September 10, 2022 |
August 5 |
August 19 |
October 22, 2022 |
September 16 |
September 30 |
December 10, 2022 |
November 4 |
November 11 |
February 11, 2023 |
January 6 |
January 20 |
April 15, 2023 |
March 24 |
April 7 |
June 10, 2023 (not @ SMW) |
May 5 |
May 19 |
July 15, 2023 (not @ SMW) |
June 16 |
June 23 |
Check the ACT website for the most up-to-date information.
FAFSA |
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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens October 1st!
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Parent’s tax information is required to complete application
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File as soon as possible - many schools have early priority deadlines
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Check the West and District Websites as this year continues for updates on potential FAFSA events that may help you.
Transcripts & More |
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Contact our SM West Registrar, Bill Martinie, for all your transcript requests williammartinie@smsd.org
Our College Advisor, Luke Ervin, can give excellent guidance as well. lukeervin@smsd.org