Wyomissing AreaJunior Senior High School

Policies & Programs 

Grading Philosophy - Grades are a direct reflection of achievement; students earn the grades that they receive. All subjects are taught in a manner consistent with achieving the highest level of student success. A student's final grade is a function of the teacher's determination of the student's earned grade.

Wyomissing Area Junior-Senior High School assigns higher weight to each succeeding marking period and semester exam as the school year unfolds; i.e., the second quarter is weighted more than the first quarter, the 3rd quarter, more than the 2nd, and the 4th, more than the 3rd.

The reason for this is twofold. First, the weight increase reflects the fact that the difficulty and workload of courses increase as the school year unfolds. Secondly, the increase in weight motivates students to continue to work hard during the entire year.

Students who are not in school for the entire year will receive individual consideration in determining the final grade.  In all cases, the teacher has the responsibility to ensure that the final grade accurately reflects student performance for the school year.

3 F Policy - Students who receive 3 F's in any 3 quarters in a course will receive a final F for the course (2 quarter F’s in a semester course).

Courses Graded With O, S, or U - Courses graded with O, S, and U are not counted in the honor roll or GPA calculation.

7 to 12 Honor Roll - is calculated quarterly on a non-cumulative basis according to a student’s non-weighted GPA.  Seventh and eighth grade courses graded with O, S, and U are not used for honor roll calculation.

            High Honors:  3.5 – 4.0

            Honors:           3.0 – 3.49

            Commended:  2.5 – 2.99

Promotion - Placement into a grade level homeroom necessitates the satisfactory completion of a minimum number of credits in order to assure the potential graduation of a student after Grade 12. Thus, a student who would not have sufficient credits for graduation if he/she would satisfactorily complete all scheduled courses in Grade 12, would not be placed in a 12th grade homeroom.

Students must be enrolled in the following number of minimum credits each academic year regardless of the number of cumulative credits they have earned:

Course Credit - All passed courses in grades 9 through 12 accrue credit toward graduation using the following formula:

6 periods/cycle for 1 year  =  1.0 credit

6 periods/cycle for ½ year =   .5 credit

6 periods/cycle for ¼ year =   .25 credit

3 periods/cycle for 1 year  =   .5 credit

3 periods/cycle for ½ year =   .25 credit

In certain instances, and with teacher/administrative approval, students opting for full credit for courses taken less than the allotted time must either complete an approved independent study contract which specifically details the means towards satisfying full course credit, or assume responsibility for all assignments, tests, and other course expectations assigned regularly scheduled students.

 

Credit By Examination/Contract Revision - Credit by examination/contract is only an option for courses in which mastery of the academic standards can be accurately measured through an examination and/or project completion process. It will be issued to a student (not already enrolled in the course) only after the following criteria are satisfactorily met:

• The student must submit a written proposal to the Principal and subject area department chair outlining the intent and the course for completion. The deadline to submit a proposal will be the last school day of May in the school year prior to the student’s eligible time to schedule the course. (Example: A proposal to get credit for a tenth-grade mathematics course would have to be made prior to the end of May of the student’s ninth grade year).

2.   Academic guidelines, course objectives, class textbook, and other academic requirements will be issued in June by the department chair or designee. The student, parent, department chair (or designee) and administrator, after outlining all requirements, deadlines, and waivers/reservations of the school district, will sign an academic contract at this time.

3.   All due dates for academic course requirements and grading procedures must be listed in the contract. These may vary by academic department.

4.   If a student is eligible for credit, (has satisfactorily met each of the contract requirements with a minimum of 85% or higher per requirement) the credit will be assigned and the appropriate letter grade (either A or B) will be recorded on the transcript and factored into the GPA for the upcoming academic term. The student may not repeat the course if he/she achieves a final grade of between 85 percent and 100 percent.

Credit by examination/contract is not an option that can be utilized for any English, World Language, Advanced Placement, lab-based Science, or corresponding Keystone Exam course. 

The learning that occurs through regular classroom attendance can never be completely reproduced in a credit by examination/contract option. The District is not responsible for elements of learning for which the student later finds him/herself deficient as a result of trading the regular classroom experience for the credit by examination/contract option.

Since many learning experiences cannot be measured by a written exam, the District offers no guarantee that any student receiving credit by examination has demonstrated the same level of mastery as those students enrolled in the course. The student accepts full responsibility for any negative consequences on student performance in other courses, standardized tests (such the SAT), and college.

 

Advanced Placement Courses

Since Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination, students who enroll in AP courses must pay for and take the exam. Students needing financial assistance should see the AP Coordinator. The AP is based on the premise that secondary school students can learn college-level material. Participating colleges, in turn, grant credit and/or appropriate placement to students who have done well on the AP Examinations. A final grade of an A, B, or C gives an additional .25 to the GPA for AP courses.  Students enrolled in an AP course may not drop that course after the second week of school when the drop/add window closes.

Students may take any AP exam without taking the AP course. Taking an AP test, however, cannot be substituted for course credit towards graduation. 

In addition to receiving AP weight for AP courses, students who are enrolled in the Dual Enrollment program and taking college courses though the BCTC will also receive a .25 weighting for all final grades of A, B, or C. 

 

Dropped Courses - A 6th major may be dropped without permanent record only with administrative approval and only if the drop is made during the first semester for year-long courses and during the first or third quarters for semester courses.

A 5th major may be dropped only under very unusual circumstances and only with the following conditions being met:

1. administrative approval based on teacher recommendation.
2. only at the semester break and only if a counselor-approved second semester class can be scheduled in lieu of the dropped course. The dropped course will be made part of the student's permanent record and, in the case of full credit courses, .5 credit attempted will be noted for the work completed and a failing grade will be calculated as part of the GPA. A notation of withdrawal will be recorded on the permanent record.
3. in all cases the principal maintains final discretion as to grade and credit calculation.

When a student repeats a failed course during a subsequent school year, the original GPA is maintained and the repeated course is treated like a new course in the cumulative GPA calculations.

 

Summer School - All failed courses that are needed for graduation are either repeated the following year or semester or are taken through an approved Credit Recovery Program. When a course is completed, the student will receive full credit for the course but no grade higher than a S.  Summer school courses receving a grade of an ‘S’ do not calculate in a student’s GPA. Summer enrichment courses or repeated courses that were not failed will not be given credit but may be listed as supplemental information on the transcript.

 

Course Transfers - Requests for transfers between levels (i.e., honors to academic or academic to comprehensive) will not be approved without teacher and counselor recommendation with final approval subject to the principal’s discretion.

 

Independent Study - Certain academic courses may be taken via independent study with teacher approval. Independent study is in lieu of regular class time and must substantially meet all course requirements in addition to other requirements, which the teacher may assign to make up for the lack of class time. Student work must be completed within the framework of the given academic year.

Independent Study (IS) Guidelines

• IS classes must be in the approved program of studies in order to receive a grade and credit.
• Students may not take and IS and receive a grade and credit for a class if they are already enrolled in that particular course.
• Independent study courses are not offered for honors or AP weighted courses.

 

Mid-Year GPA's - (For Seniors Only) - Course credit for full year courses is adjusted by multiplying the full year credit by 0.5. Course credit for semester or quarter courses remains unchanged. Quality points are calculated by multiplying adjusted course credit by 4 for A, 3 for B, etc. Honors weight is calculated by giving 0.1 to each honors course, full year or semester, in which a grade of A or B is earned. AP weight, by .125. Unweighted GPA is calculated by dividing the cumulative quality points by the cumulative credits attempted. Weighted GPA is calculated by adding to the unweighted GPA the cumulative honors weight divided by:

3.5 if the student is in the 12th grade

                        2.5 if the student is in the 11th grade

                        1.5 if the student is in the 10th grade

                        0.5 if the student is in the 9th grade

 

End of Year GPA's - Quality Points are calculated by adding course credit by 4 for A, 3 for B, etc. Honors weight (.2) is earned by receiving a final grade of an A or B in an honors course. AP weight (.25) is earned by receiving a final grade of an A, B, or C in an AP course.  Courses designated as AP/Dual Enrollment also receive .25 weight by receiving a final grade of A, B, or C. Semester courses (or equilivant 90 day courses), which carry 0.5 credit, will thereby receive 0.1 honors weight and .125 for AP semester.

Unweighted GPA is calculated by dividing the cumulative quality points by the cumulative credits attempted. Weighted GPA is calculated by adding to the unweighted GPA the cumulative honors weight divided by:

                        4 if the student has completed the 12th grade

                        3 if the student has completed the 11th grade

                        2 if the student has completed the 10th grade

                        1 if the student has completed the 9th grade

 

GPA and Grading Considerations for Incoming Students - The grade equivalents and course tracking designations (AP, honors, accelerated, advanced) provided by the student's former school are used and computed using Wyomissing's credit values. Incoming seniors who would experience a significant drop in rank if entered into our GPA system, will be offered the opportunity not to be a part of the class rank with an explanation on the transcript.

 

Graduation Requirements - Graduation requirements are for subjects taken in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Wyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High students need 23.0 total credits to graduate. Courses taken in seventh and eighth grade do not accrue credit toward graduation.  Students must also take end of course Keystone Exams in Biology, Algebra 1, and English Literature to fulfill their graduation requirements. Students may be asked to retake each exam until they earn a proficient score for Keystone exam.  

English 4.0
Science 3.0
Mathematics 3.0
Social Studies 3.0
Arts / Humanities 2.0
Computer Technology 0.5
Health /  Physical Education 1.5
Family and Consumer Science 0.25
Electives 6.0

Total Credits 23.0

*Exceptions to these requirements may be made at the discretion of the administration.

Keystone Exams & Graduation Pathways

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in core subject areas.  Proficient scores on individual subject exams, as well as a composite score of 4452 will fulfill Act 158 Graduation requirements.  Keystone Exams will help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards. Students will take each Keystone Exam after they complete the corresponding course (Biology, Algebra 1 and English Literature). 

The Keystone Exams are state-mandated end-of-course assessments in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature. At the high school level, they are used to satisfy the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

Each Keystone Exam is divided into two parts called modules. Student scores are based on the total points earned from the two modules combined. The scores are then broken down into the following categories: Advanced, Proficient, Basic and Below Basic. Students must score in the Advanced or Proficient range to show mastery of the content.

Act 158, a landmark legislation in Pennsylvania, has paved the way for a more diversified approach to high school graduation. This act acknowledges the uniqueness of each student’s learning style and offers a multitude of pathways to demonstrate readiness for postsecondary success, marking a significant departure from the previous requirement of passing the Keystone Exams in Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

Students can embark on one of five distinct pathways, each tailored to their individual strengths and circumstances. These pathways empower students to meet the state’s graduation criteria in flexible ways:

1. Keystone Excellence: Students can attain graduation by achieving Proficient or Advanced scores on all three Keystone Exams in Algebra, English Literature, and Biology.

2. Composite Achievement: A pathway acknowledging the challenges of the 2019-2020 school year, it requires students to achieve a satisfactory composite score of 4,452 or a composite score of 2,939 or higher on two Keystone Exams. Additionally, a non-numeric Proficient score earned during the pandemic is accepted. Importantly, this pathway necessitates at least one Proficient or Advanced Keystone score with no score Below Basic. A composite score of 4,454 must consist of three numeric exam results, while a composite score of 2,939 comprises two numeric exam results and one non-numeric Proficient score from the 2019-2020 school year.

3. Local Proficiency and Career Focus: This pathway requires students to earn a locally established minimum grade of a D (higher) in Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School’s courses aligned with each Keystone Exam. Additionally, they must pass either the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) or the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment within an approved Career and Technical Education concentration.

4. Alternative Assessment Success: In this pathway, students need to pass Algebra I, Biology, or Literature Keystone-trigger courses and achieve a minimum score in one of the following approved alternate assessments: Completion of advanced coursework such as an Advanced Placement (AP) course; Meeting a specified cut score on alternative standardized assessments like PSAT (970), SAT (1010), ACT (21), or ASVAB (31); Gaining admission into a four-year non-profit higher education institution.

5. Portfolio-Backed Achievement: Students on this pathway need to pass Keystone-trigger courses (Algebra I, Biology, Literature) at Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School. To demonstrate their readiness for postsecondary engagement, they compile three pieces of evidence in their career portfolio, aligning with their personal goals and career plans. Evidence may include AP-level dual enrollment coursework, acceptance into higher education, participation in community service projects, or completion of internships, externships, co-op programs, or full-time employment.

6. Special Education Program Completion: Students with disabilities who are unable to fulfill the requirements of the previous pathways but satisfactorily complete a special education program will be granted a diploma under Title 22 §4.24.

 

 

Programs for Identified Gifted Students

The Wyomissing Area School District’s K-12 Gifted Support Program provides individualized instruction and experiences in five core themes:  communication, research, critical thinking/problem solving, creative expression, and self-awareness.  This instruction is based on each student’s Gifted Individualized Education Plan.  To further the gifted program, identified students in grade 7 participate in the Gifted Writing Workshop course.  This course not only focuses on improving writing skills, but it also allows gifted learners to interact with their intellectual peers while exploring discussion and research-based topics.  Eighth grade students enrolled in the gifted program will compete a self-selected project to help prepare them for the academic rigor of high school by encouraging acceleration and differentiation.

 

Course: G500 Colloquium                                        .25 Credits
1 Day/Cycle

The Gifted Colloquium program is available for all gifted identified students in grades 9-12.  Students work within an inquiry framework, including: curricular extension, differentiated enrichment, group discussion, in-class co-operative learning opportunities; in addition to the refinement of problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills.  Students will develop and deliver a presentation to a prescribed audience, based on the results of their work, as an annual culminating activity. In sum, students seek to make the most of their inherent and developed talents and provide the potential for personal success, self-fulfillment, social development and production within the school and local community.

 

Special Education Programs and Services  

Students with identified disabilities are provided a continuum of special education service options addressing their learning and social/emotional needs. Instruction for students is modified to address their unique strengths and needs, providing for the development of basic academic skills, and presenting content material in an adapted format.  Student programs are reviewed or revised annually by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and students are recommended for direct instruction in the special education program when their learning needs cannot be adequately accommodated within a general education program with supplementary aides and services.

The following programs are offered at Wyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High School to meet the special needs of our identified students and help them to make meaningful education gains: Life Skills Support, Autistic Support, Emotional Support, and Learning Support. 

The Life Skills Support program emphasizes individual, practical learning and incorporates “real-life” social, academic and vocational experiences into the curriculum. The goal is to prepare and support students for successful participation in school and in their post-secondary plans.

The Autistic Support program is designed for students who are identified with autism.  This program emphasizes individual, practical learning to meet academic and social needs to prepare and support students for successful participation in school and in their post-secondary plans.

The Emotional Support program is designed for students who are identified as exceptional and are experiencing emotional and/or behavioral difficulties.  The goal is to help students develop coping skills and replacement behaviors so that they may be successful in a general education setting and in their post-secondary plans.

The Learning Support program is designed for students who are identified as exceptional and are experiencing academic learning difficulties. The goal is to help students with their individual needs and to support their participation in the general education setting, curriculum, and in their post-secondary transition plans.

More information about Special Education programs and services may be obtained by contacting the Office of Special Education at 610-374-0739, Ext. 1112.

 

English Language Development (ELD) Instruction – The following courses (335-ELD Beginner 7-8, 345-ELD Beginner 9-12, 336-ELD Intermediate 7-8, 346-ELD Intermediate 9-12, 337-ELD Bridging 7-8, 347-ELD Bridging 9-12, 340-ELD Newcomer) offer standards-based instruction for English learners (ELs) in reading and language arts. The program is carefully designed for ELs to accelerate their growth in language and literacy. Students are placed in either beginner, intermediate, or an advanced level of language study based upon their assessed competency in oral language, listening comprehension, written expression, and reading. Every student is evaluated annually using the WIDA Access 2.0, the English Language proficiency test, to determine ELD needs and can be reclassified after meeting the state mandated exit criteria.

 

Multi-Level Enrollment - Because of low enrollment, certain courses may be combined resulting in two levels meeting at the same time with one teacher e.g., Latin IV/Latin V, Accounting I/Accounting II, etc.

 

NCAA - The NCAA approves core courses for use in establishing the initial eligibility certification status of student-athletes. A list of NCAA approved core courses for initial eligibility is available in the counseling office. For more information regarding NCAA college-bound student athletes, contact the counseling office or go to www.eligibilitycenter.org.

 

Early Admission to College - Students who have achieved exceptional academic excellence in a strong academic program may apply for early college admission during their junior year.  This process must be recommended by the school counselor and approved by the building principal.  These students must have fulfilled all course and credit requirements that are required of a Wyomissing Area High School junior to be eligible to gain early admission to college for his/her senior year.  Upon completion of a successful college freshman year and receipt of an official college transcript, the student will be awarded a Wyomissing Area High School diploma.

 

School Counseling Services - The school counseling program of the Wyomissing Area School District provides a variety of services dealing with the comprehensive development of students. School counselors work in cooperation with parents and staff to assist students in long-term educational planning and problem solving. Among the services available to students, parents, staff, and graduates are the following:

1. Arrange conferences with individual students, with parents, and/or with staff as needed concerning students’ personal, social, educational, and career development.

2. Distribute course selection information to students and parents and assist in scheduling the best program available for each child.

3. Provide information dealing with post high school planning, including education, financial aid, military opportunities, careers, the job market, and transition.

4. Disseminate information dealing with the Board-approved testing program, standardized testing programs required for post high school institutions, employers, and the military, etc. as well as resources available for academic enrichment and improvement.

5. Coordinate volunteer, career activities and credit recovery programs.

6. Counsel regarding summer school information and enrollment.

7. Advocate for individual students referred to MTSS, SAP, and community agencies.

8. Act as a liaison for students between the home and school.

9. Initiate referrals and coordinate supportive services, such as social work, Special Education, MTSS, and alternative education.

 

Student Assistance Program (SAP) - A student who is having academic, behavioral, attendance, emotional difficulties or exhibiting any at-risk behaviors may be referred to the SAP Team which can recommend actions to remediate the issue.  A referral can be made by a student, staff member or parent.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) – MTSS is a comprehensive, instructional framework that includes universal screening of all students, multiple tiers of instruction and support services, and an integrated data collection and assessment system to enable early identification and interventions for students academically at risk.  MTSS also takes into consideration the social, emotional, and behavioral development of students. Students are given benchmark and diagnostic assessments (i.e. SRIs, IXL, CDTs, Cars and Stars) throughout the year to determine needs and eligibility, and core teachers of students at all levels utilize data to design strategic interventions and appropriate instruction.  Assessments also aid in determining placement in specialized reading and/or math courses to support their identified academic needs.

Library Services -  The school library exists to enrich and support the educational program of the school. The goal of the library is to provide a collection of print and electronic resources that supports the curriculum, stimulates research, and motivates independent reading. The library offers a variety of classroom and collaborative areas. Students will become skillful and discriminate users of information. 

 

COURSE 7000: 7TH ADVISORY                        1 Credit                                 
6 Periods/Cycle/All Year

As students transition to the Junior/Senior High School, the Seventh Grade Advisory promotes meaningful relationships between staff and students, while providing academic supports.  A personalized learning environment will afford students with a structure and set of practices for examining and encouraging academic progress.  Advisory is an extension of our 4 content area classes (English, math, science & social studies), and is collaboratively taught by our 7th Grade Team teachers. 

 

COURSE: INT500 INTERNSHIP                            1 Credit 
6 Periods/Cycle/All Year

The Internship Program at Wyomissing Area School District is offered for students in grades 11-12. The purpose of this program is to provide students with the opportunity to participate in a professional work-based experience where they learn and apply employability skills while exploring a career of interest. In addition to participating in the workplace experience, students will communicate regularly with their assigned Internship Advisor, complete weekly reflective assignments, conduct professional interviews, and compare current literature about the career to learned skills. Opportunities in career areas such as a business, a non-profit organization, a K-8 educational setting, or some other workplaces are available through the Internship Program.

Internships can be completed through an adjusted academic schedule, after school or on the weekend. Credits will be based on length of assignment with a maximum of 3 credits per school year.  Internship courses receive no more than an honors level .2 weighting for a full year placement.  Any semester internship (or equilivant 90 day internships) receive a .1 weighting.

Course INT500 (Education Internship) is also offered as a Dual Enrollment course through Reading Area Community College. Students who enroll in a Dual Enrollment course pay the cost per credit to Reading Area Community College. Participating universities and colleges may grant transfer credit to students who earn a qualifying grade for the course. For more detailed information about Dual Enrollment, please refer to the opening pages of the Program of Studies.

.

BCTC is a premier career & technical education center with state-of-the-art learning labs.  Teachers are experienced professionals with practical experience.  Programs are reviewed and updated annually by local business and industry advisors. 

OUR MISSION is to prepare all students for successful careers and higher education through a highly acclaimed, integrated academic and technical education experience

Why BCTC?

BCTC prepares YOU for:

• Two or four-year college
• Technical or trade school
• Co-op, Internship, and Job-shadow
• Military service
• Direct entry into the workforce

BCTC also offers students the opportunity to be involved in career and technical student organizations including SkillsUSA, HOSA, National Technical Honor Society, PBA, and FFA.  Such organizations provide personal growth, leadership and networking opportunities.

Berks Career & Technology Center consists of two campuses:

East Campus | 3307 Friedensburg Road | Oley, PA 19547 | 610-374-4073

West Campus| 1057 County Road | Leesport, PA 19533 | 610-374-4073

Visit us online at www.berkscareer.com

 

Seven Career Pathways

Nearly 40 Career and Technical Education Programs

5 Dual Enrollment Academies with Reading Area Community College:

4 Technical Academies and 1 Teacher Academy

3 Dual Enrollment programs with Penn College Dual Enrollment

Business & Information Technology

*Business Management & Entrepreneurship (W)

*Computer Systems Networking & Security (E)

*IT Programming (W)

Communications

***Advertising Art & Design Tech. (W)

Video & Media Content Production (W)

Construction

Building Construction Occupations (E)

Cabinetry & Wood Technology (E)

***Carpentry (E)

Electrical Occupations (W)

Heavy Equipment Operations (E)

***Horticulture (E)

HVAC / Refrigeration (E)

Masonry (E)

Painting & Decorating (E)

Plumbing & Heating (E)

Engineering & Manufacturing Technology

Drafting Design Technology (W)

Precision/Computerized Machining Technology (W)

Welding Technology (W)

*Mechatronics Engineering Technology (W)

Healthcare

Dental Occupations (E)

Health Occupations (W)

****Medical Health Professions (W)

Sports Medicine & Rehabilitative Therapy (E)

Services

Cosmetology (B)

Culinary Arts (B)

*****Early Childhood Education (B)Protective Services – Homeland Security (E)

Protective Services – Law Enforcement (E)

Service Occupations (E)

Transportation

Automotive Collision Repair Technology (B)

Automotive Technology (B)

Diesel Technology (E)

Heavy Equipment Technology (E)

Recreational & Power Equipment Technology (W)

Note:

 (B) Offered at both campuses

  (E) East Campus only                         (W) West Campus only

*Technical Academy Associates Degree Program with Reading Area Community College; RACC articulation with Bloomsburg University BAS degree in Technical Leadership offered on RACC’s campus.

***Penn College Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement with Penn College of Technology.

****Senior Only Program, Based at Penn State Berks & Reading Hospital.

*****Teacher Academy Associates Degree Program with Reading Area Community College; RACC articulation with Kutztown University BSED (PreK-4 Certification) program offered on RACC’s campus.

Dual Enrollment FAQ

What courses are available for Dual Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year? 

(Course list is updated annually.)

RACC (at JSHS)

CHE 150 and CHE 155 - Chemistry I and II
MAT 210 - Statistics
PHY 240 - Physics I
ENG 125 - Introduction to Literature
HIS 145 - World History since 1450 
DSC 180 - Introduction to Computer Programming
EDU 299 - Education Seminar
PSY 130 - General Psychology
POS 130 – American Government
COM 151 – Fundamentals of Speech
MAT 220 – Honors Calculus I

 Alvernia University (at JSHS)

ED 110 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession

• Is there a cost for me to take a Dual Enrollment course?
  • Yes; however, the cost is significantly reduced from regular tuition fees. 
    • For RACC courses held at JSHS, students can expect to pay approximately $99 per credit with no additional fees. Tuition is payable to RACC.
    • For Alvernia course (held at JSHS), the tuition rate is $80/credit. 
    • For Albright course and lab, the tuition rate is $625/semester.
  • Financial assistance is available for qualified students.  

• Will my Dual Enrollment credits transfer to my college of choice?
  • RACC credit has transferred to over 1200 colleges, universities and technical schools; however, each college is different. Please check with your chosen college for more information to see if they have a transfer agreement or will accept RACC credit for your course.

• Helpful Tips:
  • Confirm with the colleges you plan to apply to that they will accept Dual Enrollment transfer credits from the Dual Enrollment programs you choose.  
  • Always refer to the dual enrollment courses using the college course titles and numbers when talking to target colleges for transfer credits.  
  • Ask if the school accepts dual enrollment courses taught by high school teachers. 
  • Ask what these credits will do for you (e.g. count towards general education requirements or electives, satisfy English, science, etc. requirements, enable you to take more advanced courses earlier, etc.) if you decide to attend their college.
  • Ask for the name and contact information of the person you are speaking to.  Document your conversations.  You may want to do this via email so you have a record of the conversation. 
  • Check out www.patrac.org to learn more about transferring credits in Pennsylvania.
    

·       What is the difference between AP and Dual Enrollment courses?

Both dual enrollment and AP courses are rigorous, college-level classes taught by certified Wyomissing Area teachers, and offer students an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. 

The primary difference between both is that AP courses prepare students to take the national AP exam in that subject, which is administered by the College Board. Colleges award credit based on exam scores (3 minimum but more selective colleges require 4 or 5 to award credit). Students can review score requirements for a particular school at: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies

Dual-enrollment courses are college-level courses taught by approved Wyomissing Area faculty for both high school and RACC college credit. Students must pass the course with a C or better to earn Dual Enrollment credit, which then can be transferred to their college of choice. Both AP and dual-enrollment courses are more rigorous than traditional high school courses and offer students an opportunity to have a heavier weight applied to their overall GPA. 

Must I enroll at the university for Dual Enrollment credit?

Paperwork that must be completed once you decide to enroll in a Dual Enrollment course. The paperwork is due early in the school year.

 

Reading Area Community College Early Admissions Option

Highly motivated high school juniors and seniors who would like to get a jump on their post-secondary education and start earning college credits can choose from multiple programs at the Reading Area Community College.

How does it work?

Early Admissions students pay tuition and fees. Early Admission courses include RACC's online and campus-based courses. The program is for high school students who are academically ready for college and want to take college courses on campus or online.High school students interested in enriching their curriculum with college course work during their junior and senior year may request consideration for the Early Admission Program. Second-semester seniors with a minimum of a 2.8 GPA may also be considered for this opportunity.

RACC's Enrollment Services staff, in consultation with your student’s guidance counselor, evaluates each request on an individual basis. Students considering the Early Admission Program must exhibit maturity and demonstrate above average academic achievement (A/B average) to benefit from college-level courses. Early admission students are permitted to enroll in two (2) courses each semester and must meet the prerequisites for the courses they intend to take. Students are advised based on their academic record, intended future plans / major.

Admissions: Early Admission for High School Students | RACC

Course Catalog - RACC Self-service 

• Early Admission (EA) WASD credit values: RACC course = 1 elective credit
• EA credits may count towards WASD elective credit requirements only. 
• All EA credits will be unweighted WASD elective credits.
• EA credits can only be accumulated during the academic school year
  • Any course taken over the summer will count as college credit only.
• Students can accumulate a maximum 8 credits per academic year. 8 credits includes WASD courses + college courses.
• Students must complete paperwork to designate which course(s) they are counting as EA vs. college credit upon registration. 
• RACC and WASD are collaborating to reduce the cost of these credits for WASD students.  Students/parents will be responsible to pay $300 for a 3-credit course.  Additional support may be available for students with financial need, please contact your guidance counselor for additional information.

 

            Albright College Science Research Institute Early Admission

Highly motivated high school juniors and seniors may apply to earn college credit at Albright College, while still enrolled in high school. Courses count towards an Albright bachelor’s degree or can be transferred to other colleges or universities.

How does it work?

Albright College offers Early Admission courses – covering a variety of topics – each fall, spring and summer session. Enrolled students spend part of each week day morning taking part in classes on Albright’s college campus, and earning college credit.Each Early Admission course costs $500 and offers one unit per semester (the equivalent of 3.5 credits at most institutions). Students completing five courses (5 units/17.5 credits) over their junior and senior years of high school will have the equivalent of a full semester complete before beginning college.

SRI Early Admission Program

Focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, this innovative research program offers opportunities for high school juniors and seniors to immediately, and concretely, apply Early Admission collegiate studies and earn even more college credit, by pairing a course of their choice with a concurrent Science Research Institute course (SPI 101).

SRI Early Admission credits:

One Early Admission course (1 unit)
SPI 101 – introductory research course (.25 unit)

= 1.25 total units per semester (the equivalent of 5 credits at most institutions)

• Early Admission (EA) WASD credit values:
  • Albright course 1 elective credit
  • Albright course + SRI = 1.25 elective credits
• EA credits may count towards WASD elective credit requirements only. 
• All EA credits will be unweighted WASD elective credits.
• EA credits can only be accumulated during the academic school year
  • Any course taken over the summer will count as college credit only.
• Students can accumulate a maximum 8 credits per academic year. 8 credits includes WASD courses + college courses.
• Students must complete paperwork to designate which course(s) they are counting as EA vs. college credit upon registration. 
• Albright College and WASD are collaborating to reduce the cost of these credits for WASD students (with or without additional research option).  Students/parents will be responsible to pay $300 (with or without research option). Additional support may be available for students with financial need, please contact your guidance counselor for additional information.