September 27, 2023 – The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education heard an update on the state of dual enrollment through the North Carolina Career and College Promise program during their meeting on Tuesday night.

Career and College Promise allows high school students to simultaneously earn credits for their high school diploma and a future college degree. WS/FCS partners with Forsyth Technical Community College to offer dual enrollment courses to the district’s juniors and seniors. Because these courses are tuition-free, WS/FCS students are able to get a head start on their higher education without financial risk, which makes going on to study at a university and complete their degree a far more attainable goal.

Dual enrollment has steadily increased throughout the district over the last five school years, now peaking in 2023-24 with 958 students participating in CCP. Dr. Clint Wilson, Chief Officer of Student Services for WS/FCS, sees room to drive those numbers even higher by improving outreach to underserved populations, most notably young men of color. Promoting dual enrollment to as many students as possible will not only set them up for success at the post-secondary level, but it will also give them new inspiration to invest time and effort in their high school education.

“They see where they can be,” Wilson said. “If I see where I can be, I’m going to do well in high school so I can get there.”

Also on the board’s docket for the evening were:

• A performance from the Reagan High School chorus
• Recognitions for JROTC award winners throughout the district
• The kickoff for this year’s partnership with United Way
• Presentation of appointments to the Facility Advisory Committee
• An update on the implementation of funding from the ESSER II and ESSER III funds

The Board of Education will meet again on Tuesday, October 10 at 6:30 pm.