Sean C. Morgan
Thirty-two Sweet Home High School students are holding off on graduation and taking advantage of the Accessing College Today program, which allows them to earn college credits for an enhanced diploma.
Under the program, students walk in the graduation ceremony at the end of the school year but do not receive a diploma, said coordinator Pat Stineff, who retired as SHHS principal last school year. Instead, they take some 36 to 40 college credits through Linn-Benton Community College to earn an enhanced high school diploma and be well on their way to an associate’s degree.
Combined with other programs, such as College Now, students can earn substantial college credit as high school students, paid for by the School District. The credits appear on their high school transcript.
Students can take advantage of the program through age 21, she said.
The ACT program started with 27 2012 graduates this year, she said. Five more are joining during winter term, but this is the last year students can join late.
“They were going to but they just didn’t get around to it,” Stineff said. For one reason or another, they missed registering on time. Those who put off joining the program count against the school’s graduation rate if they don’t sign up with the ACT program.
A couple of students in the program are planning to move on to four-year schools, she said.
“I think it’s going very well,” Stineff said. “A lot of the kids are getting really good grades.”
Most are getting A’s and B’s, and some are getting straight A’s, she said.
“What I’m really pleased about is – I’ve talked to several – it’s amazing the maturity I see from last summer to now,” Stineff said.
There are a few who don’t keep good contact and haven’t reported, she said. Some of that may not be the students’ faults because the program has had an e-mail problem, something Stineff discovered last week.
The program is providing an opportunity to attend college for several of the students, she said. “I know that not all of them would be because they just couldn’t afford it or they didn’t have the support.”
The program complements other programs at the school, including the College Now program along with the Career Center, ASPIRE and GEAR-UP.
“We just want them to go to school,” she said. The ACT program isn’t for everyone, but it is free education for those who use it.
Even transportation is free on Linn Shuttle with a student ID card, she said.
Students should start thinking about whether to enter the program next year, she said. She will hold a parent meeting in February, and around April, she will issue vouchers to next year’s ACT students to take placement tests in reading, writing and math at LBCC.
The program is also available to home-schooled students, and there are options for dropouts and people with GEDs.
Applications for the program are available now, Stineff said.
Students who have not paid all of their fees from high school are not eligible for the program or to walk in the graduation ceremony this year, she said. Last year’s seniors still owe more than $6,000 in fees, which are incurred for labs, sports, student body cards and lost textbooks, among other items.
One girl owed more than $700 and never paid, she said.
Generally, not counting sports, students incur less than $50 and about $100 at the high end, she said. Most people pay the fees.
“I’m really excited about this program,” Stineff said. “It’s a great program. It’s helping a lot of kids.”
For more information, contact the Career Center or the office at (541) 367-7142.