Rising Tide Charter Public School is pleased to announce that it will collaborate with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) to pilot a dual enrollment program for upper school students. This partnership will allow upper school students to earn college credits while taking their regular classes at Rising Tide. Students will earn official college credit upon completion of a designated dual enrollment course.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Rising Tide students,” said Michael O’Keefe, Rising Tide’s Head of School. “It provides our college preparatory public school with another unique program option that prepares our students to be successful and continue to make a positive impact in our communities and our world.”

There are a tremendous number of benefits for students enrolling in this program. According to SNHU, costs are significantly less than taking courses at college, students are better prepared for college, students who earn university credits demonstrate their readiness for the academic demands of college, and the credits they earn are generally transferable to other colleges and universities.

“As a former teacher in this program, as well as a parent who has felt both the benefits of college readiness as well as financial rewards with my own children, I am confident that our students will thrive with this new opportunity,” said Beth Choiniere, Upper School Principal at Rising Tide.

Rising Tide plans to roll out the program in the fall of 2023 to current juniors and seniors. Interested students will need to complete an application form for the designated course they wish to take, along with a fee per three-credit course. The fees are currently $100 for three-credit courses, and $125 for classes with labs.

Students will take their SNHU courses at Rising Tide from a select number of Rising Tide teachers who will become adjunct professors of SNHU. The teachers must hold a master’s degree, complete a SNHU training course, and submit a syllabus to SNHU for approval. At the completion of the course, a student will receive credit from both SNHU and Rising Tide. The select number of courses designated for dual enrollment will be confirmed this spring.

According to Isabella Trauttmansdorff, Rising Tide’s College and Future Planning Counselor, “This opportunity will give high school students the chance to see themselves as college students. Not only will students approach their next phase of their lives knowing they are capable of meeting challenges, but evidence of rigor on the transcript will also give them an edge in college admissions.”