FAQ
What & Why
What is Dual Enrollment?
Dual enrollment is an exciting opportunity for high school students, grades 9-12,
to gain access to college-level courses for FREE at their own high school site during
regular school hours. Participation in dual enrollment allows students to earn both
transcripted high school and college credit simultaneously; thus, decreasing students’
time to complete a college degree and saving them on future tuition costs.
What are the benefits of Dual Enrollment?
Start college early for free! Increase high school completion rates, higher rates
of college enrollment, higher rates of college degree completion, and shorter average
time spent earning a degree to transfer.
Why should students participate in Dual Enrollment?
Dual enrollment provides an opportunity for students—before they complete high school—to experience being a postsecondary student and complete college-level coursework. Studies highlight the following goals and objectives related to dual enrollment:
- Introduction to and preparation for college coursework and life
- Smoother transition from high school to college
- Ability to explore interests, careers, and majors
- Opportunity to build skills needed in the workforce
- Motivation to persist and pursue a postsecondary credential or degree
- Understanding the benefits of postsecondary education
- Accelerated pathway through college that can save time and money
What do students and parents need to know before participating in dual enrollment?
Students should be aware that dual enrollment offers many benefits—a chance to begin
college early, master college level coursework, learn to navigate the college environment—but
they should be clear that the grades they earn will be part of their permanent student
record and college transcript. Poor grades in dual enrollment courses can hamper their
ability to access financial aid and their eligibility to enroll in a four-year college
or university once they leave high school.
Why should college and high school faculty support dual enrollment?
For college and high school faculty, dual enrollment encourages collaboration to strengthen alignment between local K12 districts and the local community college curriculum so that more students arrive at college ready and able to succeed.
Why should a community support dual enrollment?
At the community level, dual enrollment may serve to provide an additional path to college and postsecondary education and highlight the community college as a resource to help all residents prepare for college and/or career.
Why should a high school board and/or college board support dual enrollment?
Dual enrollment delivers meaningful academic, economic, and equity-driven benefits to students and the broader community. It accelerates college readiness! Students experience the rigor of college-level work, boosting their confidence and better preparing them for postsecondary success. It helps improve graduation and college completion rates! Studies show that students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to graduate from high school and persist in college. It saves time and money! Earning college credits in high school can significantly reduce the time and cost it takes for students to earn a college degree. It helps expand access and equity! Dual enrollment can close opportunity gaps by providing underrepresented students early access to higher education pathways. It strengthens High School-College partnerships! These programs create stronger collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutions, aligning curriculum and promoting student-centered outcomes. In short, dual enrollment is a high-impact strategy for college and career readiness.
Why should college and high school faculty support dual enrollment?
For college and high school faculty, dual enrollment encourages collaboration to strengthen alignment between local K12 districts and the local community college curriculum so that more students arrive at college ready and able to succeed.
Why should a community support dual enrollment?
At the community level, dual enrollment may serve to provide an additional path to college and postsecondary education and highlight the community college as a resource to help all residents prepare for college and/or career.
Why should a high school board and/or college board support dual enrollment?
Dual enrollment delivers meaningful academic, economic, and equity-driven benefits to students and the broader community. It accelerates college readiness! Students experience the rigor of college-level work, boosting their confidence and better preparing them for postsecondary success. It helps improve graduation and college completion rates! Studies show that students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to graduate from high school and persist in college. It saves time and money! Earning college credits in high school can significantly reduce the time and cost it takes for students to earn a college degree. It helps expand access and equity! Dual enrollment can close opportunity gaps by providing underrepresented students early access to higher education pathways. It strengthens High School-College partnerships! These programs create stronger collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutions, aligning curriculum and promoting student-centered outcomes. In short, dual enrollment is a high-impact strategy for college and career readiness.
Program Options for High School Students
Concurrent Enrollment vs. Dual Enrollment
Concurrent: HS students take college courses on their own time by coming to our college campus,
usually just for college credit. Costs of textbooks, supplies, and materials are the
student's responsibility.
Dual: HS students take college courses at their own HS site during regular school hours, receiving both high school and college credit. The HS site or CSM will supply the textbooks, supplies, and materials.
Dual: HS students take college courses at their own HS site during regular school hours, receiving both high school and college credit. The HS site or CSM will supply the textbooks, supplies, and materials.
Advanced Placement vs. Dual Enrollment?
AP: Students take the college-level content course at the HS throughout the year and must
pass the AP exam, usually with a three or better, to earn the college credit. Students
are responsible for the associated costs with taking the exam.
Dual: Students take the “dual” course at the HS and pass with a “C” or above and receive BOTH high school and college credit. No additional exam outside of the classroom and no financial costs. The HS site or CSM will supply the textbooks, supplies, and materials.
Dual: Students take the “dual” course at the HS and pass with a “C” or above and receive BOTH high school and college credit. No additional exam outside of the classroom and no financial costs. The HS site or CSM will supply the textbooks, supplies, and materials.
Middle College vs. Dual Enrollment?
Middle College: Middle College is an alternative to the traditional high school environment. Students
are part of a smaller learning community and complete the requirements for high school
graduation while on our college campus and will have the opportunity to take some
college classes at no costs to them.
Dual: HS students take college courses at their own HS site during regular school hours, receiving both high school and college credit. The HS site or CSM will supply the textbooks, supplies, and materials.
Dual: HS students take college courses at their own HS site during regular school hours, receiving both high school and college credit. The HS site or CSM will supply the textbooks, supplies, and materials.
Are there costs associated for students taking Dual Enrollment?
No costs! The HS site or CSM will supply the textbooks, supplies, and materials.
How many units can Dual Enrollment students?
DE students can take up to 15 units per semester at no cost to them.
Can students participate in Dual Enrollment if they’re undocumented?
Yes, undocumented students are welcome to participate in the Dual Enrollment Program.
Are dual enrollment courses transferable?
Many courses are transferable to four-year colleges and universities, others help
lead to a short-term certificate and/or associate degrees. Students are encouraged
to meet with their HS counselor to discuss course options.
Can parents access student records?
College student's records are confidential and protected by the Federal Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Parents may not access the student’s records without
a written release from the student (regardless of age).
Agreements and Teaching Models
What is AB 288?
Assembly Bill 288 authorizes the governing board of a community college district
to enter into a College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership with the governing
board of a school district with the goal of developing seamless pathways from high
school to community college for career technical education or preparation for transfer,
improving high school graduation rates, or helping high school students achieve college
and career readiness. The bill requires the partnership agreement to outline the terms
of the partnership, as specified, and to establish protocols for information sharing,
joint facilities use, and parental consent for high school students to enroll in community
college courses. The bill authorizes specified high school students to enroll in up
to 15 units per term.
What type of Dual Enrollment does CSM adhere to?
College and Career Access Partnership (CCAP) agreements, formal partnerships made
between K-12 and San Mateo County Community College District under state legislation.
CCAP courses are meant to provide a pathway to college for students and reduce barriers
for K-12 and community college districts.
What teaching models are there in Dual Enrollment?
- College of San Mateo Faculty are hired and paid by SMCCCD to teach college level course(s) during the academic day at a partnership high school site.
- High school instructors are hired and paid by their own HS district to teach the college level course. Once it's verified that the HS instructor meets the minimum qualifications to teach a college level course, they'll work closely with College of San Mateo faculty to develop instructional experiences that align with the college course experience and students engage in activities and assessments that support and align with the course outline of record on file and fulfill student learning outcomes.
- Team/Co-Teaching is where a College of San Mateo faculty member joins a high school teacher at the HS site for dedicated periods of time and experiences teaching a college level course as part of the students' learning.
What are some of the commitment requirements for high school faculty who teach dual
enrollment courses?
Besides meeting the applicable minimum qualifications to teach a college course, high
school teachers should also be aware of other professional responsibilities as specified
in the partnership agreement with the community college. Additional responsibilities
may include the teacher’s participation in meetings to support collaboration, use
of email, recording and submitting student grades and attendance information, and
adherence to Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) assessment.
What are some of the requirements for college faculty who teach dual enrollment courses?
College Faculty should understand any specific requirements of the high school, such
as emergency procedures, attendance tracking, and Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA). Professional development to specifically address these issues and any
other issues of concern to the high school and college partners is strongly suggested.
What existing institutional practices and policies can help ensure the quality of
dual enrollment courses?
As with any other college course, adherence to the course outline of record is required.
Dual enrollment courses introduce students to the rigors and demands of college-level
work, grant college credit, and ensure that students have the knowledge and skills
to continue their postsecondary journey.
What are some dual enrollment models?
There are many different models of dual enrollment. They span a range from independent,
single courses, to carefully designed sequences of courses along college and career
pathways, to highly structured and supportive systems.
Which academic calendar does dual enrollment follow
Dual enrollment adheres to the high school district’s academic calendar and unique
bell schedules per high school site. Instructors who teach in DE will be informed
of special schedules that pop-up and are expected to follow the unique schedule as
outlined.
Flex Day — No Classes
October 8, 2025
October 8, 2025
Veterans Day Holiday
November 10, 2025
November 10, 2025
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 27-28, 2025
November 27-28, 2025