Frederick County sees explosive growth in dual enrollment programs

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the significant growth of Advanced Placement (AP) and dual enrollment programs within Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). The meeting highlighted the impressive increase in student participation, with dual enrollment seeing a rise of over 75% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge reflects a broader trend of students engaging in college-level coursework while still in high school.

The dual enrollment program, primarily in partnership with Frederick Community College (FCC), offers various pathways for students, including high school-based courses, open campus options, and early college programs. The early college initiative has seen enrollment jump from 40 students in fall 2021 to 118 this fall, with many students earning both a high school diploma and an associate's degree. Open campus participation has also surged, increasing from 223 to 537 students during the same period.

Officials emphasized that the growth in dual enrollment does not detract from AP participation; in fact, both programs have expanded concurrently. AP enrollment has rebounded post-pandemic, surpassing pre-COVID numbers, with 72% of students scoring 3 or higher on AP exams, a notable increase from 59% in 2021.

The meeting also addressed equity and access within these advanced coursework programs. Efforts to include underrepresented groups have shown promising results, with participation among Hispanic and Latino students, as well as those from low-income backgrounds, approaching parity with the general student population.

Overall, the discussions underscored a collaborative effort among FCPS, FCC, and local government to enhance educational opportunities for students, ensuring that more young people are prepared for college and career pathways.