As the upcoming juniors and seniors at Urbana begin to plan their courses for the 2026-2027 school year, many students begin to contemplate life after high school and what they can do to get a head start. One recommended course of action is the FCC Dual Enrollment program, run by the Frederick Community College in partnership with FCPS. The purpose of this program is to help students earn essential college credits before they graduate from high school.
The program is highly accessible and a great way to prepare for college, especially considering the various pathways it offers. When applying, students can choose to attend either high school-based, or through the Open Campus pathway. Some students may benefit from one more than the other, so being properly informed on both is crucial.
The High school-based classes are taught at either the student’s own high school, or at the local Career and Technology Center (CTC), where they can attend college-level, full credit classes taught by approved FCPS teachers.
While the Open Campus route gives students a more direct taste of college life, as courses take place on the FCC campus, and the classes offered are more extensive than a typical high school and follow more flexible schedules.
Kirsten Forberg, an Urbana senior who is currently at FCC full time, described the experience very positively and recommended it to anyone interested: “In the junior and senior years you are becoming an adult, college gives you this chance to be independent and be treated as an adult. It’s been a very freeing experience, I feel less held back”.
Regardless of which option suits a student best, they each share the same benefits of transferable credits to any four-year college in Maryland, covered tuition for up to two FCC courses per year for juniors, and four courses for seniors, and an opportunity for independence through the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA), which allows communication between only the student and the college.
But for those who are searching for something more extensive, Dual Enrollment also offers alternative routes such as Career Pathways, which allows for students to follow a specific career track and earn their diploma alongside an industry certification/credential. Or the Early College pathway, which promotes earning a high school diploma and an FCC associate degree simultaneously by following an FCC academic calendar (though this option is much more limited in the number of students who can apply).
When interviewing UHS counselor Ms. Shay, she shared that she “recommends dual enrollment courses to students who are ready for the rigor of college-level courses and understand the expectations. The potential to earn a college credit for free (or at a reduced cost) during high school saves time and money as well, and is a great way for students to gain an idea of what college is like.” (Additionally, she states that “The counseling department stresses to students that a certain maturity comes with taking these courses, such as being proactive, exercising self-advocacy, meeting due dates and deadlines, and asking for help when needed.) Since these are college courses, there is a lot less ‘hand holding’ than what some students are used to, so it can be a challenge and a learning experience for some!” Something students should carefully consider before applying.
Anyone who decides that dual enrollment is the best course of action for them should contact their counselor for any additional information, and to learn about the enrollment process. FCC also provides informational nights before the school year begins, to describe the program in detail as well as to answer questions from parents and students. Any additional information is also up on the FCC website, frederick.edu.
Overall, Dual Enrollment is a very valuable way to get a head start in college and feel prepared for the future. Especially if a student has plans to remain in Maryland for the remainder of their education.
