“This year we are exceptionally proud to have a record 19 high school graduate also earning their associate degrees,” said Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “College Credit Plus students are determined, driven and hardworking.”
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In the spring 2019 semester alone, more than 2,427 high school students were enrolled at Clark State and taking 13,378 credit hours, according to data provide by Clark State.
Springfield’s Global Impact STEM Academy topped that list of high school enrollees, with 558 students taking 1,827 credit hours at Clark State.
Jamison Truebenbach, chief academic officer at Global Impact STEM Academy, said she could not be more pleased with the success of her students.
“College Credit Plus has benefited over 500 Global Impact students this year alone,” Truebenbach said. “Students have had the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of teaching styles and an array of content that will prepare them for their future endeavors.”
Introduced in Ohio in 2014, the state-funded CCP program allows students to earn college credits while in grades 7 through 12, at no cost. The program also covers funding for tuition, books and other fees.
Students can enroll in courses through Clark State and receive credit for their high school requirements and for college credit. Credits can then be transferred to any college or university in the state of Ohio after the student graduates high school.
Since it’s inception, students have earned over $11 million in college credit at Clark State.
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The program is different from Advance Placement courses, as there is not a test at the end of the school year to see if the student will earn college credit for completing the course.
Students can choose to take classes at Clark State’s campus, online, at their high school, or during the summer.
Rachel Judy, one of the 2019 graduates, began taking classes online at Ohio Virtual Academy and at Clark State in 2015. She received her high school diploma, Computer Programming certificate and an associates degree in Technical Studies.
“CCP has given me the chance to take advanced coursework and take college courses early,” Judy said. “The transfer credit will hopefully cut off at least a year on my bachelor’s.”
Judy now plans to transfer to a four-year college and earn a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.
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