Phoenix Christian High School Gives Students a Head Start on College

PHOENIX, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Christian Unified Schools (PCUS), which includes Arizona's first Christian high school, today announced a new enrichment program that enables high school students to take college courses on their own campus through a partnership with Arizona Christian University (ACU), formerly Southwestern College. Beginning in spring 2011, eligible students can earn college and high school credit simultaneously while defraying the expense of college tuition.

"At Phoenix Christian, we believe that success in college begins in high school," said PCUS Superintendent James Koan. "Our new dual enrollment program paves a pathway for students to experience the rigors of college life, plus gain the confidence and skills needed to excel academically. In today's economic climate, it also helps ease the financial burden of higher education for families."

Nine dual enrollment classes, typically those taken during a student's first year of college, are available for a dramatically reduced fee of $100 per credit hour. For comparison, a three credit hour class costs $300, compared to $1,671.00 at Arizona State University.

Classes offered include English Composition, Algebra, Pre-Calculus and Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and U.S. History. Discussions are underway to expand the course list next year to include foreign language, additional English classes and electives.

The program is open to high school juniors and seniors, plus sophomores who receive (more) teacher approval. Students must prove college readiness by maintaining a 3.0 GPA and earning a C or better in the course.

Unlike high school college-prep programs such as Advanced Placement that simulate the college experience with rigorous curriculum and require passage of a national College Board examination for students to receive credit, dual enrollment classes allow students to earn college credit at the same time as high school credit. Courses are taught by faculty with college-level teaching credentials.

There are numerous benefits for students participating in dual enrollment programs:

• Offers more challenging curricula
• Eases transition from high school to college
• Offsets cost of higher education
• Avoids duplication in course content
• Shortens time needed to earn a college degree

"Dual enrollment is also an amazing motivator for students," Koan said.  "By shouldering the extra workload and managing responsibility for their grades, students make themselves much more attractive to the colleges and universities they wish to attend after high school."

About Phoenix Christian Unified Schools

Tracing its roots to the founding of Arizona's first Christian high school in 1947, PCUS is a regionally accredited, private Christian school system offering outstanding preschool through 12th grade education at three Phoenix area campuses. PCUS is distinguished by its leading college preparatory curriculum and athletics programs, offered in an environment that equips students to discover and develop their talents and spiritual gifts. All classes are taught from a Christian worldview. Approximately 575 students are currently enrolled.  For more information, visit www.phoenixchristian.org or call 602-265-4707 ext. 270.

About Arizona Christian University

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Arizona Christian University (formerly Southwestern College) is the only four-year institution in the region accredited by both the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (HLCNCA) and by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), and it is an Affiliate Campus of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Its mission is to provide a biblically integrated education that prepares its graduates to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in ministries and professional occupations. For more information, visit www.arizonachristian.edu or call (602) 489-5300.

SOURCE Phoenix Christian Unified Schools