High school can provide a range of academic experiences for students that sometimes transcend the 12th-grade level.

High school students in Chilton County have access to academic programs at Jefferson State Community College Chilton-Clanton Campus that fulfill college requirements for courses such as English, history, psychology and speech.

Jeff State offers dual enrollment and accelerated high school programs for students who meet eligibility requirements.

Listed below is more information and requirements for each program.

•Dual Enrollment Program

The dual enrollment program allows qualified students to dually earn credits for a high school diploma and a postsecondary degree.

The Alabama State Board of Education authorized local boards of education to establish dual enrollment programs.

Jeff State in Clanton has a dual enrollment agreement with the Chilton County Board of Education to offer the courses to local high school students.

Courses are available to high school seniors with a cumulative 3.0 average and include English 101 and 102 and History 101 and 102.

Students must have a minimum score of 20 on the ACT or take the Compass Placement Test.

A dual enrollment form must be completed each term, and a local principal and superintendent must certify that the student has a minimum cumulative 3.0 average and recommend the student be admitted to the program.

The form must indicate what course is to be taken at Jeff State for the term.

Parental permission and travel for courses offered off the high school campus during the normal school day will be administered under the auspices of local boards of education.

Dual enrollment courses are held on campus in the fall and spring only.

Courses are held four days a week in the morning, and students can complete two classes (12 hours) per semester.

Clanton Campus Division Chair and English instructor Ashley Kitchens said the dual enrollment program has seen a positive response.

“The last couple of semesters, we’ve had 50-55 kids,” Kitchens said.

The cost of dual enrollment is about $880 per semester.

Dual enrollment students are not eligible for financial aid.

•Accelerated High School Program

The accelerated high school program allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to take courses that fulfill college requirements.

Courses are held throughout the year and include art, psychology, speech, Spanish and theater.

Students eligible for the program must have successfully completed the 10th grade; must have completed any required high school prerequisites (for example: a student may not take English Composition until all required high school English courses have been completed); and an accelerated high school form must be completed each term, and the local principal and counselor must certify that the student has a minimum cumulative 3.0 average and recommend that the student be admitted to the program.

After graduating from high school, students may continue at Jefferson State or transfer the college credits to another postsecondary institution.

Acceptance of transfer credit is a decision made by each individual college.

The content and teaching methodology of all classes will be at the college level.

Registration for the accelerated high school program will be open until Aug. 20.

Kitchens said the benefits of the dual enrollment and accelerated high school programs include smaller class sizes, exposure to college courses and lower enrollment costs.

“This is a college experience, and we’ve got great teachers out here,” Kitchens said.

For more information, call Jefferson State Community College Chilton-Clanton Campus at (205) 280-8200.