Francis Howell High School senior Megan O'Toole works at Renaud Spirit Center in O'Fallon as a work program participant.
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At the beginning of their senior year, local high school students have an opportunity to attend only a half day of school. While other students remain in class, these students are allowed to leave and attend college or work a job.
Justin Evans, 19, a 2009 Francis Howell North High School graduate, participated in a work program.
“I thought it was a good experience,” he said. “It allowed me to work regular hours and got me out of school. It helped me get credits for high school and real world experience at the same time.”
The program requires students to work an average of 10 hours a week to receive a half credit for high school or 20 hours a week to earn a full credit. A student can miss only 8-10 days per semester and can only change their job one time during the program. Each semester, their work supervisor will help determine their grade by giving the student two performance exams.
“The work program is great for students as well as the school because it rewards the students for working and allows the student to get real world experience,” Evans said. “It not only creates good students, but good workers for the future.”
If a student wants to focus on earning college credit instead of making money, they can enter dual-enrollment, which allows them to take a college class in a college environment.
Aanshi Sanghvi, 18, is a senior at Francis Howell High School and a dual enrolled student at St.
Charles Community College. Sanghvi said she wanted to get some college credit out of the way while she was still in high school.
To be dual enrolled, a student must maintain a 3.0 G.P.A. and take at least a 3-credit hour class. They also need to show a proof of payment receipt for their class.
“I would recommend dual enrollment for high school seniors,” Sanghvi said. “There are a lot of advantages of only going 5 hours at high school. The workload will be less than someone who goes a full 7-hour day. And on days you don’t have class, you can go and work or do whatever you want.”
Both programs have advantages and disadvantages.
“I would say college classes are harder than in high school because in college, the teacher won’t hold your hand,” Sanghvi said. “It is your responsibility to take notes and do the work.”
“If I could go back, I would probably do dual enrollment because I’m going to the community college anyway,” Evans said. “It would have been a good opportunity to get college credit out of the way.”
These programs give students alternatives to attending a 7-hour school day. Students gain exposure to the workforce and higher education.
“It gives them the opportunity to be responsible adults,” Sanghvi said.
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