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Southside High expands dual‑enrollment offerings; district reports enrollment jump and low per‑credit costs
Summary
District presenters outlined growth from 10 dual‑enrollment classes in 2022–23 to 21 in 2024–25 and plans to reach about 25 classes next year. Kelly Ramsey gave enrollment figures, per‑credit costs by partner institution and examples of new courses, including computational engineering at Hofstra and virtual enterprise credit through LIU.
Kelly Ramsey, Southside High School staff member, described the district’s expansion of dual‑enrollment classes at an April 23 work session and told the board the program grew from 10 classes and 72 students in 2021–22 to 21 classes and 269 students in 2024–25.
Ramsey said the district currently partners with Molloy University, Stony Brook University, Five Towns College, Long Island University and (starting next year) Hofstra University. She listed per‑credit costs reported to families: Molloy and Stony Brook courses at about $300 per course, Five Towns one‑credit performing arts classes at $50, LIU courses at about $290 and a planned Hofstra computational engineering credit at $420.
Ramsey previewed new approvals for 2025–26, including virtual enterprise, fashion marketing and sports marketing (for LIU credit) and computational engineering through Hofstra. She said Hofstra’s partnership could include campus lab time and faculty access for students. "We're looking to open up more doors as far as other classes to get accreditation for," Ramsey said.
Board members praised the growth and asked about equity and credit transfer. Superintendent Gavin and Ramsey said district staff have asked partner institutions about subsidies but that universities generally consider the program already discounted; Ramsey said universities had not offered financial aid for these credits. On transferability, board members and staff reiterated that acceptance of credits lies with receiving colleges and that the district advises families to check directly with prospective institutions. Ramsey said the district plans to build an alumni database to survey graduates about how many dual‑enrollment credits were accepted by colleges.
A board member asked whether virtual enterprise could award three or six credits; Ramsey said LIU can allow purchase per semester. When asked about financial aid for families who cannot afford credits, Ramsey said she had been exploring options with partner institutions. The board did not adopt new policy at the meeting; the presentation closed with continued staff follow‑up on equity and transfer data.
