PC Today // Your College Now

Thanks to the generosity of a local business owner, students at East Ridge High School will have an opportunity to take dual credit classes at Pikeville College.

"PC Today ... Your College Now," is an introduction to the college classroom experience and provides opportunities for qualified juniors and seniors to earn both high school and college credit at the same time.

Elkhorn City business owner and Pharmacist Robbie Lester provided the scholarship funding for East Ridge students to take the classes, which cost about $100 per credit hour.

"Robbie Lester has made a significant gift to our school," said East Ridge Principal Kevin Justice. "He has been a longtime supporter and his generosity will enable our students to take these dual credit courses for free. We probably would not have been able to make this happen without him and we are very appreciative."

Pikeville High School students have been participating in the dual credit program for the past several years. This fall, 15 Pikeville students will be enrolled in a variety of classes, including biology, chemistry and calculus, economics, English, psychology and Spanish.

At East Ridge, about 30 students are expected to sign up for classes in college English and algebra. Next semester, English and pre-calculus and trigonometry will be on the schedule in addition to a course in music or art.

"Everyone is very excited. It's the buzz of the school," said Justice. "East Ridge has a lot of students who attend Pikeville College after graduation. This not only gives them a jumpstart on their college education, but also a chance to experience what college classes are like."

"Over the years Pikeville College has had great success with the dual credit program," said President Paul Patton. "This is a program that we want to offer to all Pike County and surrounding county school systems. Students who take these classes are more likely to attend college after graduation. It can give them a head start on their college plans and, in some cases, help others realize that college is an attainable goal. There are also scholarships available to those who qualify."

"We're pretty excited about Pikeville College reaching out to our outlying schools," said Superintendent Roger Wagner, a Pikeville College alumnus. "This will give the students an opportunity to continue their education beginning in high school and the savings will mean a lot to parents financially."

Category:

Education

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• East
• Ridge
• Dual
• Credit