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Grand Rapids, Mich. – Aquinas College is expanding its dual enrollment agreement with three high schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids to make additional college-level courses available. In the 2015 to 2016 school year, West Catholic High School will expand its existing dual enrollment courses, while Catholic Central High School and Muskegon Catholic Central High School will begin offering two classes as part of new dual enrollment agreements.

“Following a successful pilot program with West Catholic, we wanted to not only expand the program within that high school, but also begin to bring it to other Catholic schools,” said Dr. Gilda Gely, Aquinas College provost. “When considering which classes would best fit each school, we worked closely with the administration in the high schools to identify areas not currently taught, as well as those that would most benefit the students. The classes we’ll be offering will help further prepare students for college by introducing them to the rigor of higher education while giving them transferable college credit.”

Aquinas will offer two classes at Catholic Central - Principles of Management in the fall and Personal Finance in the spring. Two classes will also be offered at Muskegon Catholic Central – Personal Finance in the fall and Intro to Cultural Anthropology in the spring. West Catholic is adding Personal Finance, Logic, Principles of Management and Business Communication, and will continue to offer Principles of Management. These classes will be available to junior and senior level high school students who will be eligible to earn 12 college credits by taking one college course each semester for both years. Students interested in the courses must first apply and be admitted to Aquinas College. The courses are held on the high school’s campus, but are Aquinas courses taught by Aquinas professors.

“The demand for dual enrollment classes this year has exceeded our expectations,” said Cynthia Kneibel, principal at West Catholic High School. “Our spring Principles of Management class is full, as was our Accounting course this past fall. Aquinas has been a marvelous partner. I feel blessed that our students can take Catholic college courses right here on our campus.”

“Catholic Central is grateful for this partnership with Aquinas College, the opportunities it provides for our students, and the strength it affords Catholic education in the Grand Rapids area, kindergarten through college,” said Linda Olejnik, assistant principal for Catholic Central High School. “We are excited to offer Catholic college learning opportunities to our students on our campus and look forward to expanding the program in the future.”

Following high school graduation, participating students may matriculate to Aquinas to complete their college education, or transfer these credits to another college or university.