College is coming to the students with new program

A new partnership in Rapides Parish is bringing college to high school in a unique way.

Louisiana State University of Alexandria and Bolton High School are partnering to offer more dual enrollment classes through the Bolton Academy of Student Scholars, or BASS, beginning next semester.

"This is truly more of the college atmosphere," said Kim Bennett, deputy assistant superintendent for Rapides schools. "It's a great way to get students acclimated to the rigor while they're still under the watch of Mom and Dad and their teachers. It's a great transition."

All public Rapides Parish high schools already offer dual enrollment courses, which allow qualified students to take college courses while in high school and at a cheaper rate. Some high school teachers are certified to teach the courses, while some students complete courses online or on local campuses.

But what's different about this program is full-time and adjunct LSUA faculty will come to Bolton's campus to teach at least two courses each semester. BASS also offers students the chance to earn more college credits than other programs — up to 29 credit hours before they get their high school diploma.

"They're getting that college experience in the classroom, but that classroom just happens to be on our campus," Bolton High counselor Natalie Burgess said.

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Offering the courses at Bolton also allows students to keep their high school experience of extracurricular activities, pep rallies and more, she said.

"Because they're doing it here on our campus, they're not removed from that," Burgess said.

Officials from the district and both schools announced the program Monday in Bolton's Internet Café before the school hosted "Discover Bolton," an informational event for students and parents. Shelly Gill, director of admissions and recruiting at LSUA, was on hand to answer questions throughout the event.

The university has a similar program with schools in Avoyelles Parish, in which students take classes on the college campus.

"But we know in Rapides Parish transportation is an issue, so we wanted to bring it to (students)," Gill said. "And Bolton because of its gifted program was a good fit for that."

Gill and LSUA Chancellor Dan Howard said successfully completing a dual enrollment course can be a confidence-booster and motivator for high-schoolers.

"Students can know college is for them," Gill said. "I hope that means they take that step forward and maybe a step toward LSUA."

The university offers the courses at a discounted dual enrollment rate of $33 per credit hour, which the school district pays for through Supplemental Course Allocation funds from the state and a $25 charge per class.

Bennett said the $25 charge is one way to get students to "buy in" and take responsibility for their dual enrollment courses. Students and their families also are responsible for outside costs like books for the courses.

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To participate, students must meet certain pre-requisites, like a minimum score on the ACT, SAT or Compass or completing certain high school courses. The pre-requisites depend on the courses, all of which are general education and will transfer across Louisiana public institutions, Gill said.

Gill is encouraging students to sign up now to take those college entrance exams this semester or over the summer, in time to qualify for the first semester of BASS.

Bolton administration said the courses to be offered this fall were chosen based on student interest gauged through a recent poll. Principal Clovis Christman reminded folks Monday that this is a starting point.

"We will continue to expand as students' requests and parents' requests move us forward," Christman said.

The program also could be duplicated at other Rapides schools as possible, Bennett said, which would align with district goals regarding dual enrollment.

"Our goal in Rapides right now is for every university/TOPS student to graduate with a minimum of 12 college hours," Bennett said, adding that the figure is at least 18 hours for with students dually enrollment in community college courses.

For more information, students and parents can visit with Burgess at Bolton or contact either school.