Norwin High School - Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment

The high school offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Norwin has Dual Enrollment agreements with Clarion University, Penn State University: Greater Allegheny, Seton Hill University, The University of Pittsburgh: Greensburg, and Westmoreland County Community College. The College in High School Program is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh and Seton Hill University. This program allows students to earn college credits and a transcript from the University of Pittsburgh and/or Seton Hill University while taking classes in the Norwin High School. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $6,488 for the program. In 2010-11 the district received $7,586.

The high school also offers a variety of Advanced Placement courses (AP). Upon completion of the course, students may take an examination administered by the College Board. A score of 1-5 is determined. Students earning a 4 or 5 are awarded college credits by their college of choice. Some colleges offered credit for scores of a 3. A score of 1 or 2 does not earn college credit. Students also earn grades and credit towards graduation from Norwin Senior High School, which is entirely independent from the outcome of the AP exam.