Madison City's School System partners with three of our local colleges to provide students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school.  Students may choose to dual enroll in classes with the University in Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Calhoun Community College, Drake State, Alabama Early College, or Auburn First.  To learn more information about this process, please contact your guidance counselor for more information.

• When do I need to speak to my counselor about dual enrollment?

  Your counselors are available anytime to speak with you about the process.  We will be holding a dual enrollment meeting in October following Fall Break during Refuel for students. Representatives from our three partner colleges will be in attendance to answer questions.  Please feel free to come see your counselor if you have any questions. Paperwork will be available at this meeting and following the meeting in the guidance office available through your counselor.  The deadline for fall 2023 enrollment is April 21st.

   

   

• What is the criteria for dual enrollment?

  For both Calhoun and UAH, students will need an ACT score of 20 or higher in addition to a 3.0 GPA on their high school transcript.  As long as the student scores at least a 20 on the subsection needed for their requested course, they will be eligible -- ie a score of 20 on the math portion for a math course.  ACT scores can be sent from the student's ACT account on the act.org website.  Calhoun does give the option for a placement test which can be scheduled through Calhoun's dual enrollment office with their secretary, Deb Ott.  Students must apply to Calhoun at least 48 hours in advance before taking this placement test since they will need to receive their Account # (A#) before taking the test.  

  If a student plans on taking technical classes-- automotive, welding, etc.-- with Drake State or Calhoun, they will need a GPA of a 2.5 or higher.  

   

   

• How do I indicate that I want to participate in dual enrollment on my JCHS registration packet?

  As far as JCHS registration is concerned, you simply need to indicate which semesters and blocks that you want to participate in dual enrollment classes.  For example, Dual Spring 3rd and 4th blocks.   Also, be sure to indicate this on PowerSchool as well when you enter course requests.  Clear out two blocks for at least one dual enrollment course in order to allow time for travel.  You cannot take off more than 2 blocks a semester for dual enrollment classes.

  To pick your days/times for classes, college course listings are not available typically until late March.   The Week of March 21st  we will hold a dual enrollment meeting where you can receive paperwork, ask questions, etc.  If you cannot attend the meeting, paperwork can be picked up in guidance following the meeting.  All paperwork for fall classes needs to be given to your guidance counselor by April 21st.

  For spring 2023 dual enrollment courses, those will become available around mid-October 2022.  We will have another dual enrollment meeting around that time to discuss and distribute spring 2023 paperwork.

   

   

• What is the basic process?

  Students will need to first apply to the college online.  After applying online, additional paperwork may be obtained in the guidance office.  This paperwork will be returned to your child's guidance counselor, and he or she will complete the process for your child.  We can obtain copies of each student's transcript to submit along with their ACT score if it is on file with us.  They only need to return the signed forms and bring a form of a current picture ID--license, passport, etc.  If you child has not taken the ACT or if it is not on file with us, you will need to bring a copy of that as well.  If they have not taken the ACT, Calhoun does allow for students to take a placement test in leiu of this score.  Your child's guidance counselor and our college dual enrollment counselors will be able to further direct interested students on which class may be a best fit.

   

   

• How do I register for a Placement test for Calhoun if I do not have an ACT score?

  First, you have to apply to Calhoun online and receive an account number (A#).  This is usually sent with 24-48 hours after you apply through email.  When you have this, you can register for the placement test online through their website.    You will need your A# in order to take this test.  Also, you only need this test if you do not already have a score of above a 20 on your ACT.

  1)  Go to the Calhoun website.

  2)  Search Tab - Placement Test

  3)  Register/Schedule to take a test

  4)  Choose a campus to take the test - Huntsville or Decatur.

  5)  In the drop down menu, select the Acuplacer test.  You will take reading or math depending on what course you are trying to sign up to take.  

   

   

• How do I pick my class?

  There is a link on the left hand that will directly connect you to the partnering college's course listings.  This gives times and days classes are offered.  Also, it is always good to speak with both your JC counselor and/or the dual enrollment counselor a the college of your choice.

  (One good question to always ask if if the credit will transfer if you change colleges later on.)

   

   

• How do I know if I am registered for dual enrollment classes?

  During spring registration, you will register for dual enrollment for your desired blocks to secure room in your schedule.  In order to be enrolled in classes, it is your job to retrieve and return paperwork required for dual enrollment.  This is available through your guidance counselor.  When we send your paperwork to the partnering college, we copy your student on the email.  All other communication will come directly from the college.  Spring registration for 2020 is currently underway starting on October 11th.  

   

   

• How do I pay fees for dual enrollment?

  All fee payment is handled directly through the college and not by James Clemens.  The college will send an email to the student enrolled, not the parent.  Hence, students need to be checking the email they provided the college when registering directly BEFORE the class begins.  Tuition is typically due before the class begins which is why this is important.  There are payment programs available at the college level that can stretch out payments, but you would need to contact their financial aid department for more information.

   

   

• Are there any scholarships for dual enrollment?

  At Calhoun, there are workforce scholarships available for technical courses-- EMS/EMT, automotive, welding, etc. The guidelines and offerring of these scholarships can change from year to year based on funding.  Our guidance counselors have information on these Workforce Scholarships.  For UAH, they have in the past offered 1/2 price tuition for one class.  For Drake, there are scholarships for their programs such as cosmetology, automotive, etc.  Know that any of these details can be subject to change based on funding, so you may want to contact the dual enrollment coordinator at the college directly for definite, current details.  Any further questions regarding cost and payment plans can be directed to our partnering dual enrollment colleges-- UAH, Calhoun, and Drake State.

   

   

• How to I receive a parking pass and student ID for my dual enrollment?

  You will receive these items through the Admission's office on your college's campus.