12 in 200

What is 12 in 200?

Photo collage of students in dual credit classes

The 12 in 200 initiative encourages District 200 high school students to earn 12 college credits prior to high school graduation.

The opportunity to earn college credits is available to all students who successfully complete Dual Credit (DC) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

At District 200, we are committed to providing a large breadth of advanced courses to help students define their passion for learning while challenging students to explore different college and career pathways.

Where do I start?

Participating in college-level coursework is an important decision and should involve a conversation between students, guardians, and high school counselors.

Talk with your parent/guardian.
Make an appointment with your counselor.
Consider whether the course is right for your career path.
Create a specific 4-year plan during the Fall of your 9th-grade year to develop a pathway to earn your 12 credits.
Use College Board’s “AP College Credit Policy Search” to determine how your AP course will transfer to potential colleges and universities:
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies
Contact McHenry County College Advising and Transfer Center:
https://www.mchenry.edu/ATC/index.asp

What is the difference between AP & Dual Credit?

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are rigorous college-level courses offered through the College Board at either WHS or WNHS. When a student successfully passes an AP exam with a score of 3, 4, or 5 they may have the ability to earn transferable college credit.

Dual Credit (DC) courses are McHenry County College (MCC) courses that are offered at WHS and WNHS. When a student completes a Dual Credit course, they earn both high school and college level credit for the same course.

Individual colleges and university have the discretion to allow or deny credit for AP or DC courses. It is highly recommended that all students contact any college or university they are interested in to learn about their credit acceptance policy.

How much does this program cost?

Each Dual Credit class has a $25 fee payable to MCC (Free/Reduced Lunch students have the MCC fee waived).

AP exams are approximately $100 (with AP Seminar approximately $150).

Dual Credit FAQs

What is Dual Credit?

Dual credit gives eligible high school students the opportunity to enroll in college classes for credit prior to high school graduation making the credits part of both the student's permanent college record and high school transcript. Instructors for dual credit courses must meet the requirements to teach at both the high school and collegiate levels. The greatest benefit of dual credit is that students accumulate college credits that assist in graduating from college on-time or early.

Can I drop a Dual Credit course?

Dual credit students can ask their teacher and counselor to be dropped from the dual credit course. Each college partner has a Drop Period when a student can be removed from the dual credit course without any record of the course appearing on his or her college transcript. After the Drop Period, the college has a Withdraw Period in which a student may receive a W on their college transcript. Following this period, a student who withdraws from the dual credit course may earn an F on their college transcript. Receiving a grade lower than a C or a W on a college transcript may impact your ability to receive financial aid in college.

How do I sign up for a Dual Credit course?

During course selection (November-December), students will have the option to choose Dual Credit (DC) classes. Teachers and Counselors can help determine the appropriate fit if a student is unsure.

Students will register through MCC's DualEnroll portal when their Dual Credit class(es) begin.

Students interested in PCCS courses (Criminal Justice, Fire Science, HVAC, Manufacturing, App Development, Culinary Skills) must complete the PCCS Registration form and turn it into their school counselor. Students will be ranked based on graduation year, GPA and attendance for these county-wide competitive programs.

Will my Dual Credit course transfer to other colleges?

Students taking dual credit courses should consult the specific college they plan to attend. Transferology is a free web-based tool widely used by academic advisors at a variety of colleges throughout the country. Visit www.transferology.com to create a free account to see which colleges will accept the dual credit courses you have completed or are interested in taking. You will need to use the university course codes, not the high school course codes.

What is IAI?

The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) indicates courses at the highest level of transferability across Illinois public institutions. For more information click iTransfer.

IAI 1.1 Articulated Courses taught in District 200 include:

DC Chemistry
DC College Algebra with Trig
DC English Comp I
DC English Comp II
DC Human Biology
DC Music Appreciation
DC Statistics
DC US History

IAI 1.2 Articulated Courses taught in District 200 include:

DC Auto Occupation I
DC Basic Nursing Assistant
DC Computer Graphics & Design
DC Computer Literacy
DC Culinary Skills I
DC Culinary Skills II
DC Introduction to Computer Numerical Control
DC Introduction to Manufacturing
DC PE Lifeguard Training
DC Strength & Conditioning Principles
DC Strength Training I & II
DC Web Fundamentals
DC Yoga II

Does it cost extra to enroll in Dual Credit classes?

Is there an impact on financial aid if I don't do well in the class?

All dual credit courses count towards financial aid standards of academic progress (SAP). MCC Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

If a student takes one dual credit course and earns a “D” grade, the student will start out on financial warning for under 2.0.
If a student takes one dual credit course and receives a “W” (withdrawal) grade, the student will start out on financial warning for completion under 67%.
If a student takes one dual credit courses and earns an “F” grade, the student will start out on financial warning for GPA under 2.0 and for completion under 67%.

Will taking a Dual Credit class impact my college status (admissions and scholarships)?

Students taking dual credit classes should consult the specific colleges they are considering attending for specific details. Most colleges continue to designate a student as a freshman applicant as long as the student is enrolled in high school at the time of application.

Some colleges, however, may consider an applicant as a transfer student depending on the total number of college credits earned while in high school. For example, if a student earns enough early college credits in high school to enter college as a sophomore then the student may be considered a transfer student. Students considered as a transfer applicant may not be eligible for freshmen scholarships but may be eligible for transfer student scholarships. Each college has different procedures for these situations and students should investigate specific schools transfer policies they are interested in attending.

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