Dual credits give South Island students a map to post-secondary success

Released: January 30, 2023 | Last Updated: January 4, 2024

Story | Community

Hundreds of high school students throughout the South Island are getting a jump on their post-secondary plans with a unique dual credit pathway offered by ��ý.

The award-winning South Island Partnership (SIP) between ��ý and five school districts allows students to start a range of programs in business, health, trades and technology in addition to courses offered on campus and online.

“Through dual credit, students have an amazing opportunity at their fingertips,” explains Nicola Priestley, Director of SIP, whose background as a high school math teacher and district career coordinator gives her insight into the impact dual credit can have on student transition. “Students get to experience the post-secondary classroom while earning credits towards both their high school and college transcripts. The college credits earned are also transferable to many public colleges and universities across BC and beyond.”

The partnership between ��ý and the five partner school districts - Cowichan Valley, Gulf Islands, Greater Victoria, Saanich and Sooke - is the largest in B.C., supporting over 950 students each year with their transition into post-secondary education and training.

“Statistics show that 85% of dual credit students are successful transitioning to post-secondary,” says Paul Mckenzie, Assistant Superintendent for Saanich School District 63. “This speaks to the impact the dual credit program has for our students and their post secondary journey.”

“I made some amazing friends who have the same interests as me,” says Hillary Carr, former dual-credit student and currently enrolled in ��ý’s HR Management and Leadership program. “I still played high school basketball and graduated with my High School grad class while attending classes at ��ý. I’m really proud of my accomplishment!"