Earning college credit in high school is now a reality. Formerly known as College Now, 2+2 classes are courses designed to give high school students a chance to earn college credit.
According to senior counselor Laura Osbon, Marshfield currently offers college courses through Southwestern Oregon Community College (SOCC), Lane Community College and Mt. Hood Community College.
“I try to make it known that there are college classes available,” Osbon said.
Taking college classes in high school has only been an option for less than a decade, however, Osbon said it is continuing to grow. As Oregon tries to reach their 40-40-20 goal, a plan to have all Oregonians hold a high school diploma or equivalent, 40 percent to hold an associate’s degree or equivalent, and 40 percent to hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree, there has been a push for college courses to be offered in high school in order to encourage students to get a postsecondary education. Multiple high schools around the country offer college courses and continue to get more.
“It has just kind of blossomed,” Osbon said.
Most students taking 2+2 classes at Marshfield are juniors and seniors. They enroll themselves in classes such as AP Calculus, College Writing, Adv. Manufacturing, Chemistry, Intro to Fire Science and Spanish 4. However, there are some electives in which students can begin to receive college credit as freshmen and sophomores. They might take classes such as art, choir or band.
“The goal is to challenge anybody that is ready,” Osbon said. “If you can take advantage of a College Now class, what a deal for you and your family.”
Senior Katie Boesl is currently taking four 2+2 classes, including AP Calculus, Spanish 4, College Literature and New Horizons. She first started taking 2+2 classes her junior year.
“I like taking more difficult classes because everyone is more focused,” Boesl said.
Boesl said taking college courses in high school will help when she goes to college and it will also help cost wise. 2+2 classes at Marshfield are either free or cost very little. Classes taken at SOCC cost more.
According to Spanish teacher Mark Lorincz, there is a greater work load with college classes. However, despite that, students in his Spanish 4 class take foreign language placement exams and test into 300 level university courses.
“In my opinion, it’s always a good idea to push students as far as they can go,” Lorincz said.
Lorincz said many of his students have tried to get a minor in Spanish, especially if they are going into business.
“It’s a good idea to let students get their feet wet with college level classes,” Lorincz said.
Jennifer Silva, SOCC’s high school coordinator, is in favor of college classes being taken during high school. She works closely with Marshfield’s counselors to help students transition into SOCC or other colleges.
“They help to prepare students for college,” Silva said. “Gaining college credit while still in high school at little or no cost to the student is an incredible opportunity.”
Marshfield currently has over a dozen classes in which students can earn college credit. According to Osbon, the number of college courses offered at Marshfield competes with Eugene size schools.
Students going into college with credit already earned have the potential to gain an advantage as it can save them a lot of money and can shorten the time it takes to earn a two-year degree.
“Having these credits looks good on college and scholarship applications,” Silva said. “I would have loved to have this benefit when I went to school.”
