EHS holds High Expectations program

"You have to begin with the end in mind," Enterprise City Schools Superintendent Camille Wright said during the High Expectations program on Feb. 1.

Faculty from Enterprise High School and Dauphin and Coppinville Junior High School, explained course planning and preparations for high school and college.

Parents and students, starting with sixth graders, were invited to attend the 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. sessions.

The goal of the High Expectations program was to enlighten parents and students of the opportunities available at EHS and the importance of preparing for the future as early as possible.

"Every day matters, every day counts," EHS Principal Matt Rodgers said.

Parents and students learned about the career tech programs and elective classes at EHS that can help students have a better idea of what they want to do as a career. In some cases, the classes offered at EHS can provide students credentials they can use to enter the workforce directly after high school.

Students, beginning with seventh graders, are encouraged to start planning their education to focus on the areas they would be interested in working in. They are also encouraged to look at university programs to determine which classes they could possibly take at the high school level.

The High Expectations program also highlighted the growth of the Pre-AP/AP class offerings and attendance.

During the 2014-2015 school year, about 16 percent of students were taking AP courses. This school year, the percentage of students enrolled in AP courses has doubled to about 34 percent.

The increase is a result of a push during the 2014-15 school year by EHS faculty and staff to encourage students to enroll in the courses. AP courses can, in some cases, be used as college credit, or can help students become better prepared for standardized tests such as the ACT.

EHS has also increased the amount of dual-enrollment courses in connection with Enterprise State Community College, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College and Wallace Community College.

Many of the dual-enrollment courses are taught on the high school's campus, allowing students to take part in the courses during regular school hours.

EHS is also asking for feedback for a potential dual-enrollment contract with the University of Alabama's Early College program. This program allows students to take many of the core credits needed for an undergraduate degree, as well as many elective courses, online.

For parents to take part in the feedback survey, go to www. surveymonkey.com/r/HHCR5NK.

These programs and course offerings are helping EHS "Raise the Bar," the theme for this school year.

"We fondly believe that high achievement comes from high expectations," Rodgers said.