Tedious but relevant – those are the two words I’d use to describe FLVS and dual enrollment classes. I mean, if normal classes are overwhelming already, why would anyone torture themself further by taking extra ones? Well, unfortunately, you should be raising your hand right now.

Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and dual enrollment (DE) classes are ways to get ahead of the game – graduation credit wise and by exploring subjects that interests you. Students who want to get their graduation credits early can do so through either (or both) of the sources above. In that same way, students that are interested in a specific subject – but can’t learn about it because the class is not offered at school or it doesn’t fit on their schedules – have the option of signing up for FLVS or dual enrollment to explore their passions at will. Whichever situation it might be, the benefits of taking extra classes are these: an appealing transcript – that demands attention from colleges and universities – and the ability to take your future into your own hands by exploring subject that could potentially become your career.

Dual Enrollment (At Miami Dade College)

There’s no way to avoid seeing your counselor, so go to student services and fill out a Request Form. The directions on the paper are self-explanatory. Once you’re with your counselor, ask for a dual enrollment application. If you need help figuring out what classes to take, don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. If you’re too embarrassed to ask, leave, log onto your computer, and go here for an overall list of dual enrollment classes at MDC. (Search up the names of the classes that catch your eye, read up on them, and go with whichever ones seem best for you.)

The second step is to fill out your application. Now, if this is your first DE class, you’ll have to take the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT.) This is a test that measures if you’re qualified to take college level classes, and it’ll test your math, reading comprehension, and writing skills. The test takes approximately three hours to complete, but it’s not timed. You can retake it a total of two times every two years, and you can take it in multiple sessions, but only the first day is free – any day after requires a ten dollar fee. The application given to you by your counselor will have the form to take the PERT; the rest of the application can be filled if you read the directions attached to the packet. (Or your counselor can help you with that too.)

Once you’ve completed the application process, head to the MDC campus of your choice. MDC North is closest to our school, but it’s your personal preference depending on convenience and your home address. At the campus, they’ll have a dual enrollment room, so don’t go to the registry as if you were a college student. The dual enrollment room is open specifically to deal with high school kids and their crazy schedules. You’ll be directed to the PERT testing center to take the test, and after you pass it, they’ll register you, send you to get an MDC ID, and give you a choice of classes. (Remember: you can chose your schedule. If what was assigned to you is inconvenient, let the registry member know.)

A word of advice: make sure you’re ready for dual enrollment. Classes may seem easy and failure might not seem possible, but once you begin classes, your grades will become as permanent as the ones at school are. These don’t disappear after high school, college, university, or beyond. Remember that. Good luck.

Florida Virtual School

Virtual school is a simpler alternative to dual enrollment. The classes aren’t college level unless you decide on taking them at AP level. They’re designed for easy leaning, don’t take too much time, and they’re flexible for your schedule (you can take up to a year to finish, unlike DE’s constraint of 6 weeks).

To sign up, just open up the login page here. As you would for any other online website, click sign up and follow instructions. You don’t need a counselor’s permission to sign up, but once you log in and have chosen what to take, you will need a counselor to approve your classes. (Usually, counselors take a day or two to approve it, but if not, go to Student Services to see your counselor.) Once approved, you’ll receive an email and you can begin your classes instantly in the comfort of your home.