Less than a year ago, Julia Sutherland was not attending school. As of June, she will be a high school graduate with four college credits on her transcript. And the 17-year-old can thank, in part, the dual credit program at Georgian.
In the Summer of 2016, Julia took a chance and signed up for a summer dual credit in Tai Chi on the Barrie campus. The positive experience led her to join the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic DSB School within a College (SWAC) program on the Barrie campus. She and her classmates take high school and college credits in an alternative learning environment.
“Dual credit has been a great opportunity to experience the college atmosphere,” says Julia. “It gives you the chance to see what a college class is generally like. I’d recommend it to anyone, especially those unsure about college or needing an extra credit”.
Each SWAC program includes at least one dual credit. Julia excelled in her Developing Leadership course in the Fall of 2016, which provided her with a special opportunity to join a “regular” college class in a subject of her choice. Again, she shone with marks at the top of the class in Introduction to Psychology. At the same time, she was studying Lifestyle Management with her class. It all adds up to four college credits that count both towards her high school diploma and at college.
Julia will apply those courses towards a General Arts and Science program at Georgian starting this Fall!
