Education Minister Wayne Scott has praised the work of students participating in the Bermuda College Dual Enrolment Programme.

The programme allows qualified high school students to enrol in college-level courses at the Bermuda College. Upon successful completion the students earn academic college credit while still attending their respective high school.

Mr Scott told the House of Assembly this morning: “Bermuda College and our two public high schools are to be commended for ensuring that our high school graduates will be just as competitive as their North American counterparts upon the completion of the programme.

“The partnership of our public high schools with the Bermuda College demonstrates what Bermuda’s students are capable of when given the opportunity to achieve at a higher level. It also reflects what is needed to raise the college readiness and success of our high school students — a strategy that comprises the collective efforts of our students, our teachers, and our parents working together.”

To be considered for the Dual Enrolment programme students have to have successfully completed their Senior Year 2 at either Berkeley Institute or CedarBridge Academy

They must be in “good academic standing” in their Senior Year 3 and sit the Accuplacer College Placement Test (CPT) to be deemed college-ready based on the results of their CPT.

Mr Scott said: “In Fall 2014, the efforts of all key players, that is, our teachers, guidance counsellors, parents, students, and the relevant College personnel — resulted in 42 public high school students enrolling in the Dual Enrolment Programme.

“The students were registered in 82 academic courses that included accounting, biology, computer information systems, economics, English, mathematics and psychology.

“Of the 82 academic courses, 72 courses or 88 per cent of the grades ranged from “A” to “C”, which means our students earned between 74 and 100 per cent on these courses. In addition, the five students enrolled in the College Success course achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.”