Dual enrollment flourishes at Salisbury High School

Dual enrollment allows students to take classes that are approved for both high school and college credit. Salisbury High School has offered dual enrollment opportunities for many years. Sometimes classes are taught by Salisbury teachers with approval from local university partners. Students can also take courses taught by partner university instructors. Students frequently earn twenty or more college credits while still in high school. In fact, students participating in the Early College Program at Lehigh County Community College (LCCC) are able to earn an Associate’s Degree along with their high school diploma.

In May 2023, the district received a $75,000 competitive grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for expanding dual enrollment opportunities. Grant activities were designed to increase the total number of students participating in dual enrollment courses, especially students from low socioeconomic backgrounds by providing tuition reimbursement and support. While college credit is earned at a significantly reduced rate, there is a cost for tuition. If classes are taken directly with higher education institutions there could also be costs for supplies for books and other supplies. These costs can be insurmountable for some families.

The response from students and families has been overwhelming. In the 2023-24 school year, 120 high school students participated in dual enrollment opportunities. Twenty-six percent of the participating students are considered economically disadvantaged by the state.

In contrast, during in the 2021-22 school year, 16 students representing about 3% of our total high school enrollment participated in dual enrollment activities. The majority of these students were from families with resources that could support participation in multiple dual enrollment opportunities. Less than 1% of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds participated in these opportunities during the same time period.

The district is thrilled with the outcomes. We are excited to see so many of our students pursue higher education opportunities whether they lead to further college study, trade school, military commitment or entering the workforce.