Dual Enrollment expands at North Penn High School

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Maggie Robinson

These 3 colleges- University of Pittsburgh, Montgomery County Community College, and Gwynedd Mercy University- offer on-campus classes at NPHS.

Dual enrollment isn’t something new at North Penn High School. It has been around for several years, but now it is starting to grow in popularity. 

In the last few years, North Penn has expanded their subject field even more than before. Now, there is at least one dual enrollment for every subject. Classes are offered through the University of Pittsburgh, Montgomery County Community College, and Gwynedd Mercy University.

One of the newest additions to the program of studies is dual enrollment American Government (American Politics). At NPHS, it is required for you to pass a government class to graduate. Having the opportunity to get college credits for passing a required class now is great. American Politics is offered through the University of Pittsburgh for $225. This is a reduced rate compared to what you would have to pay at college when you go. 

American politics is a full-year course taught at NPHS by Brian Haley. It dives deep into the separation of powers, The Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. Students will break down the Amendments and go into detail about the underpinnings of The US Constitution.  

Another dual enrollment course taught at NPHS is English 101. English 101 is a course offered through Montgomery County Community College for seniors and costs $197 to gain 3 college credits. English 101 is a full-year course taught by Elizabeth Weizer. The class is not on literacy analysis, like the other English classes offered at North Penn High School, and is instead focused on the skill of writing.

ENG 101 helps students build their stamina and confidence around writing so that when they are on their own next year, they know how to tackle a writing task,” Weizer said.

Taking English 101 will require students to write every day. The major works that you will read are The House on Mango Street, The Things They Carried, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Fences. Books are analyzed for the style of their writing, rather than the way a normal high school English class does.