Early Start for High School Students

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The Spoon River College Early Start program helps high school students get an early start on their college education. By enrolling in specific programs and courses, eligible high school students can take Spoon River College courses for high school or college credit, or get job training to start a career after high school. Or, if eligible, high school students can take regular college courses at one of the college's sites or even online.

Through these programs, students -- and their parents -- can benefit from discounts*, scholarships, and Spoon River College's already-low tuition rates.

By taking courses at Spoon River College, you can avoid the higher cost of tuition and fees found at many four-year colleges and universities.

Dual Credit

Did you know that high school students in their junior and senior year, can take college courses? At their high school?  During the regular school day?

Spoon River College partners with many area high schools to offer dual credit courses to eligible students who are at least 16 years of age and have met requirements of the COMPASS placement test and High School GPA requirements.  By taking a dual credit class, students not only earn college credit, but some high schools may also offer high school credit for the same class -- a great two-for-one deal! While many of the dual credit courses are taught at the high school by high school teachers, they are college level classes, use college textbooks, many have reduced tuition rates and meet college standards.  To find out if your high school participants in the Spoon River College Dual Credit partnership, talk to your high school counselor.

*The tuition rate for high school students taking courses for dual credit with Spoon River College during the 2013-2014 school year is $75.00 per credit hour.  This rate includes all course fees.  A typical 3 credit hour class will cost $225.00.  A 4 credit hour course is $300.00.

The Spoon River College Foundation offers a scholarship to eligible high school students that may cover part of the tuition charges.  Please visit the Foundation tab of the SRC website for more information.  www.src.edu/foundation

If you have any questions regarding tuition charges for the dual credit program, please contact the Student Accounts Office at (309) 649-7021.

Dual Enrollment

Even if a high school does not offer a particular college course through the Dual Credit partnership, there are other opportunities for high school students to earn college credit through the Spoon River College Early Start Dual Enrollment program. Eligible high school students may take college courses at one of the college's campuses or online.  Many courses are available in the evening, allowing motivated students to obtain college credit while balancing their high school responsibilities.  During the summer semester, eligible students can take a course or two and still have time to work part-time or just hang out with their friends. By taking college courses at Spoon River College while still in high school, students can experience a considerable savings over the life of their college education.  Tuition at Spoon River College is 1/3 the cost of a public Illinois university and 1/8 of the cost of tuition at area private four-year colleges.​
 

 Partnering High Schools

 

The following high schools offer courses for dual credit in partnership with Spoon River College.

  • Astoria
  • Canton
  • Cuba
  • Farmington
  • Havana
  • Lewistown
  • Macomb
  • Schuyler-Industry
  • Spoon River Valley
  • VIT

It is up to the individual high school as to whether they will offer high school credit for the dual credit course.
 

 Success Stories

 

Spoon River Valley HS Students Take Advantage of Dual Credit Opportunities​

 



In the fall of 2011, Spoon River Valley High School partnered with Spoon River College to provide eligible juniors and seniors the opportunity to get a head start on their college education through the college’s dual credit program.  Already more than 60 SRV students have taken advantage of that opportunity.
 
Taylor Negley is one of them. Negley, the son of Tim and Carolyn Negley of Fairview, said he learned about the dual credit program from the high school’s academic counselor Sarah Wills.
 
“I thought it sounded like a great way to get a head start on my college education,” said Negley. “I completed English Comp I and Psychology during the fall, and now I’m taking English Comp II and Human Growth and Development.”
 
Students earn both high school and college credit for dual credit classes.  All courses are college level classes that meet college standards, use college textbooks, and are taught by teachers that meet the college’s qualifications.  The credits earned are transferable to most educational institutions.
The tuition rate for dual credit courses is less than half the normal tuition costs, and the SRC Foundation offers a dual credit scholarship to eligible students.