Sunny and Hot Day in Edgefield County Celebrates Student Achievements in Dual Enrollment Program

Sunny and Hot Day Expected in Edgefield County Amid Education Milestones

An engaging and bright day is on the horizon for Edgefield County, as the forecast promises sunny to partly cloudy skies with temperatures soaring to a high of 93°F. With light and variable winds, the day will stay warm, while the evening cools down to a pleasant 67°F, carrying a few clouds. The weather update was confirmed earlier today at 6:34 AM.

Earning College Credit in High School: A Boost to Confidence and Skills

In other uplifting news, local student Madison Anderson has been making waves with her achievements in the Dual Enrollment program at Piedmont Technical College (PTC). Madison, a recent graduate of Strom Thurmond High School, took advantage of this opportunity not just to gain college credits, but also to grow in confidence and acquire new skills.

“It’s given me a lot of confidence and new skills,” Anderson shared. “It helped me as a student as well as a person.” Dual Enrollment is an advanced-credit program tailored for high school juniors and seniors, allowing them to take classes either online, at their high schools, or directly on the PTC campus. It serves as a versatile platform catering to students targeting advanced degrees or seeking credentials for immediate career opportunities after high school.

A Look at Madison Anderson’s Journey

Anderson is set to earn her associate degree in diversified agriculture this fall, and she already has a job lined up at a ranch in Wyoming. Aiming big, she aspires to return to school for a degree in agriculture business. “I would love to start my own horse-training business, or maybe manage a ranch,” she expressed with enthusiasm. While in high school, she gained practical experience working as a horse-training assistant in Aiken, a well-known equestrian hub.

She started her Dual Enrollment journey in the second semester of her junior year, having already completed the necessary high school credits. Her former agriculture teacher, Jeremy Brooks, who is now an instructor at PTC, had high praise for her, noting, “She’s very hardworking and academic-minded. She’s very dedicated to whatever we’re working on and likes helping other students.”

Four Ways to Participate in Dual Enrollment at PTC

• Traditional Dual Enrollment: Classes are taken at the student’s high school with their own instructors.
• OnDECK Courses: Offered on a PTC campus, these classes allow students to earn high school units and college credit simultaneously.
• Middle College: A collaboration with school districts that offers high school juniors and seniors the chance to earn 48-plus college credit hours.
• Early Admission: For students looking to earn PTC credits independently from their high school curriculum.

Anderson opted for the Middle College route, beginning with online classes and subsequently taking agriculture courses at PTC’s Saluda County Campus. “I absolutely loved it,” she remarked. “I loved how hands-on it was.” Courses at PTC include a variety of subjects approved by the S.C. Commission of Higher Education, making them transferable to any senior public institution in the state.

A Winning Combination of Affordability and Future Readiness

Students participating in PTC’s Dual Enrollment not only earn both high school and college credits but also avoid the pressures of high-stakes testing to validate their college credits. “My family thought it was pretty cool that I would almost have my associate finished before I graduated high school,” Anderson said, adding that the program was a significant GPA booster and opened doors to scholarship opportunities.

Open to all high schools within PTC’s reach, the Dual Enrollment program offers South Carolina residents the added benefit of tuition-free classes if they take at least six credit hours per semester. This makes the program not only an academic advantage but also a financially savvy choice for many students.

High school and home school students across the region are encouraged to consider this opportunity to get a head start on their college careers. Interested students should consult their high school guidance counselors or reach out to PTC’s Dual Enrollment Office at (864) 941-8315 for more information.

It’s a sunny, promising day both weather-wise and for the bright futures of students making the most of these educational opportunities in Edgefield County and beyond.