Western Nevada College and Carson High detail Jumpstart dual-enrollment program, rising district costs and student protections

Western Nevada College representatives and Carson City School District staff presented a detailed overview of Jumpstart and other dual-enrollment offerings — the district—s program allowing eligible high school students to earn college credit and in some cases an associate degree before graduation.

Lauren Stevens, director of academic advising and access at Western Nevada College, described three program types: Jumpstart (prescribed course sequences aimed at an associate—s degree), concurrent (high-school teachers approved to teach college content) and general dual enrollment (students taking college courses taught by WNC faculty in person or online). She said Jumpstart 60 students follow a largely prescribed first-year schedule and that the district and college coordinate to ensure courses simultaneously meet high-school graduation requirements and college degree requirements.

Stevens explained eligibility is intentionally selective. Minimum requirements the college lists include a 2.0 GPA and readiness checks, but Carson City School District has set higher entry standards for Jumpstart: students must be juniors or seniors on…