Program Description
Texoma Christian School provides an accelerated path for students who are passionate about excelling academically and completing dual credit and concurrent courses during high school.
This program has been developed in partnership with Grayson College to offer our high school students the opportunity to maximize their high school years to complete additional college coursework prior to high school graduation. Students who enroll in this program can work toward earning the distinction of an associates degree or earning hours toward the Texas Core College Curriculum when they graduate from TCS.
How does this program work?
Highly motivated high school students will need to complete both dual credit and concurrent credit college hours to move toward their goal of obtaining an associates degree (60 hrs) or Texas Core Curriculum hours (42 hrs) by graduation. While some of these hours (24-30 hours) can be completed as dual credit, students will also need to plan to complete many of these college hours outside of the school day and during the summer, as concurrent college credit.
What is the Texas College Core Curriculum?
The Texas Core Curriculum is a 42 Semester Credit Hour of core coursework. This coursework is designed for all undergraduate students in Texas public higher education that will allow students transfer the entire set of completed courses to another public Texas higher education institution without having to repeat any core courses.
Qualifications, Eligibility and Enrollment
Students who are highly motivated, self-disciplined, and high achievers would be good candidates for this rigorous and challenging program.
- Overall GPA of 85 or higher
- Two teacher recommendations
- Parental approval
- Complete college enrollment steps as designated by Grayson College
Please be Advised
The courses and degree plans are subject to change as our program is dependent on Grayson College’s schedule and course offerings each semester.
Although our school counselor advises TCS students on college admissions and high school degree plans, the counselor is not an official advisor for Grayson College.
Student Responsibility
It will be essential that students enrolled in Eagle Academy early college coursework meet with 1) the school counselor each semester for enrollment, 2) with a college advisor at Grayson College each semester to ensure you remain on track for the associates degree plan AND 3) consult advisors at the four-year college where they plan to transfer this coursework.
What is Concurrent College Coursework?
These courses provide college credit only, do not provide high school credit and are NOT included on the high school transcript. This coursework is designed to help students who are working toward an associates degree and/or fulfilling additional Texas College Core coursework while in high school.
- Freshmen coursework has been selected by Grayson College as TSI testing exempt.
- Enrollment for concurrent courses must be completed through the high school counselor.
- These courses must not interfere with the TCS schedule of classes.
- Student must enroll in 16 week courses (rather than 8-week) during the school year when available.
Summer Concurrent College Coursework
Summer is a great time to complete additional concurrent college credit hours toward the Texas College Core Curriculum. To do so, students must work with the high school counselor to choose and enroll in these courses during the summer. Approved dual credit coursework must be completed during the academic school year.
What is Dual Credit College Coursework?
Dual credit courses are a specific set of courses approved by each high school to provide both high school and college credit; THUS, are included on the high school transcript. TCS students will have the opportunity to earn 24 to 30 dual credit hours during the natural sequence of their junior and senior year.
Dual Credit Coursework Guidelines:
- Courses must be chosen from the approved dual credit list provided by your high school.
- Students enrolled in the TCS College Elective Class period, may utilized college coursework to fulfill high school elective credits (.5 credits per high school semester). In this case, this credit is awarded as “dual credit”.
- Dual credit courses must be completed during the school year in sequence with coursework as outlined on the TCS four-year graduation plan.
- Students must earn a “C” or above to earn high school credit for graduation.
- Students must earn a “B” or above to receive an “advanced measure” toward the Distinguished Scholar graduation plan.
Dual Credit Tuition & Fee Exemptions (up to 9 hours per semester – Fall and Spring only)
Students may be eligible for tuition and fee exemptions or reduction based on family income. To check your eligibility follow this link: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/income-eligibility-guidelines
College Enrollment Process – To enroll, students must:
- Complete a Grayson College Permission form and returned to your high school counselor
- Meet with your high school counselor to complete course enrollment
- Consult with your “Success Coach” Grayson Advisor for those pursuing the associates degree
- Complete a Grayson College admissions application at grayson.edu.
- Obtain acceptable college entrance test scores by July 1 prior to sophomore year such as the TSI Assessment, SAT or ACT. A specific set of freshmen year courses are TSI testing exempt.
- Students with documented learning differences may receive accommodations, see info at https://www.grayson.edu/gettingstarted/advising/Students%20with%20Disabilities.html
- Pay the Grayson College course tuition, purchase text books and class materials. See above, tuition and fee exemptions or reduction for DUAL credit courses only; based on family income.
Cautions and Student Responsibilities
The courses and degree plans are subject to change as our program is dependent on Grayson College’s schedule and course offerings each semester.
Although our school counselor advises TCS students on college admissions and high school degree plans, the counselor is not an official advisor for Grayson College.
It will be essential that students meet 1) with the school counselor each semester for enrollment, 2) annually with a college advisor at Grayson College as well as 3) consult advisors at the four-year college where they plan to transfer this coursework.
Transferability of concurrent and dual credit can vary from college to college for especially for out of state and highly selective colleges. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the colleges of their choice prior to enrolling in concurrent college coursework with regard to transferability.
Overall experience and potential scholarship impact – TCS students have the opportunity to earn up to 18 hours of dual credit senior year (the average college semester = 15 to 18 hours), therefore, you may wish to consider how earning more college credits may impact your overall college experience. Additional hours may place you as a college sophomore for your first year. This may impact potential scholarships and other opportunities. Therefore, it is recommended that you check with the colleges you are interested in prior to enrolling regarding the overall impact to opportunities in general as well as scholarships.
Workload – Currently most concurrent courses during the fall and spring semesters are short, intense 8 week courses. It is recommended that you consider the workload necessary to be successful while still maintaining your high school course load and activities. You may prefer to consider summers for concurrent courses when your schedule is lighter. Remember, you are building a college transcript and you want it to reflect your true abilities. Also, college GPA’s are a major consideration when applying for graduate schools later.
