Current high school students who would like to get a jump on their post-secondary education and start earning college credits can choose from multiple programs at the College. With the average student debt around $30,000, RACC has solutions for students to manage their college debt, save time, and better prepare for the expectations of college-level course work.
RACC has four great programs for high school students: dual enrollment, early admissions, SOAR programs of study, and Technical Academy. Each of these programs vary in their requirements, location and programs of study.
Dual Enrollment and Early Admissions both lead to a college grade on a college transcript and help students fulfill their high school graduation requirements. Dual Enrollment students pay tuition costs, while Early Admissions students pay tuition and fees. Early Admission courses include RACC's online and campus-based courses.
SOAR, on the other hand, is college credit for programs of study completed at one of the Career Technology Centers. SOAR credits are earned by submitting transcripts to RACC for evaluation. However, SOAR credits are free except for a small posting fee. Some students, with the right planning with advisors and high school guidance counselors, can earn a semester or more of credits before graduating from high school. Read on for more information about these programs.
Dual Enrollment and Early Admissions allow students to earn college credit while still in high school. There are distinct differences between the two programs, so please read on to learn which option might be best for you.
Dual Enrollment
RACC has partnered with area high schools to offer college credit for college-level courses students take at their high school. The courses taught at the high school must cover the same competencies as courses taught at RACC and the teacher must meet adjunct faculty qualifications.
Dual Enrollment students concurrently complete their requirements for high school graduation at the same time they earn college credit. Students are eligible for dual enrollment courses by an evaluation of PA standardized assessments, cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and/or recommendation from their high school teacher and guidance counselor. Students are allowed to register for dual enrollment courses providing they meet the high school’s guidelines for dual enrollment and RACC’s course prerequisites.
Participating high schools include:
- Berks Career & Technology Center
- Berks Catholic High School
- Blue Mountain Academy
- Brandywine Heights High School
- Conrad Weiser High School
- Daniel Boone High School
- Exeter High School
- Fleetwood Area High School
- Governor Mifflin High School
- Hamburg Area High School
- Kutztown Area High School
- Muhlenberg High School
- Oley Valley High School
- Reading-Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center
- Schuylkill Valley High School
- Tulpehocken High School
- Twin Valley High School
- Wilson High School
Since dual enrollment courses would be traditional college freshman selections, students should contact the registrars’ offices of the colleges where they plan to apply in order to confirm that the transfer credits will be accepted. Most of the Pennsylvania State School System institutions accept dual enrollment credits. Through many of RACC's Dual Admission agreements, RACC's dual enrollment credits transfer as part of a pathway through RACC’s many AA, AS and AAS transfer programs.
Dual Enrollment Application and Course Registration
Early Admissions
RACC strongly encourages students to complete their high school diploma. The Early Admission Program is an opportunity for academically ready high school students to enroll in online and/or on-campus college courses at RACC.
High school students interested in enriching their curriculum with college course work during their junior and senior year may request consideration for the Early Admission Program.
RACC's Enrollment Services staff, in consultation with the student’s guidance counselor, evaluates each request on an individual basis. Students considering the Early Admission Program must exhibit maturity and demonstrate above average academic achievement (A/B average) to benefit from college-level courses. Additionally, the student must be 16 years of age at the time of application.
Visit our Early Admissions page for more details on applying to the program.
SOAR Programs of Study at Career and Technology Centers
SOAR (Students Occupationally and Academically Ready) prepares students for college and careers in a diverse, high-performing workforce. A student from any state-approved program from any CTC in the state can transfer these program credits (9 or more) to any college offering these programs.
Approved programs for RACC include: Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications, Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology, Machine Tool Technology/Machinist, Administrative Assistant & Secretarial Science General, Accounting Technology/Technician & Bookkeeping, Childcare/Support Services Management, and Criminal Justice/Police Science.
These programs are identified by their Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code. A CIP code is used by schools and postsecondary institutions to categorize the Program of Study completed at the CTC and articulates to courses in one of RACC's Associate in Applied Science degrees. The CTC student and teacher work together to complete the Official POS Paperwork.
Students who have earned a minimum 2.5 GPA in their completed program of study at their CTC are eligible for college credits for up to three years after graduating from high school. Students are awarded credit, not a grade on their college transcripts.
View the requirements for receiving SOAR credits.
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SOAR Programs are accepted at Reading Area Community College.
Technical Academy
RACC has partnered with the Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC) and Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center (RMCTC) to form the Technical Academy, a program for students enrolled at the Career & Technology Center (CTC) and RACC while in high school. Depending on the program selected, students may complete up to 29 college credits through one of the Technical Academies at the CTC and on RACC’s campus.