College Column: Gordon State
One of the questions many of us get asked as homeschoolers is, “When are you going to quit?” I like to think that this comes from a place of concern, as many non-homeschoolers see the opportunities available in public school that our students maymiss out on and don’t want us to make that choice for them. On this we can agree, I also don’t want my kids to miss out on opportunities. What I like about homeschooling is there isn’t a “one-size fits all.” There is freedom to create a path that works for your family. However, the transition to high school can be tricky. It’s often an end point for many homeschoolers because it can seem daunting for us as parents to create an experience that checks all the boxes. The transition out of homeschooling is a perfectly acceptable choice. However, for those who decide to tread the unchartered waters of homeschooling through high school, we do have options.
One option is taking advantage of the dual enrollment (DE) credits. According to the Georgia Futures website, “Georgia’s Dual Enrollment Program provides students enrolled at an eligible public or private high school or home study program in Georgia the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at a participating eligible postsecondary institution in Georgia.”As far as opportunities go, it may be easier for homeschoolers to take advantage of this since we aren’t encumbered with workloads that are predetermined by the school system and can be flexible with how we gain high school credits. We can focus on the individual, and not the individual within a group of many other students.
Gordon State College, in Barnesville, is keen to help homeschoolers navigate this journey. “We consider ourselves a family and will be there for your student all the way to graduation and beyond,” said Katherine Whitlock, SSC Advisor at GSU.
It is part of the University Systems of Georgia (USG), so your student’s credits will transfer to any USG institution. For those who are looking at college through a budget friendly lens, by starting at Gordon, families can save money on core courses that can later be applied toward a bachelor degree. All core credits from a two-year associate degree at Gordon will transfer to the USG system. A 4-year degree completed at UGA, for example, can cost significantly less if the first two years are completed at Gordon. The cost is reduced further if families gain the first thirty credits through DE.
I think we are past the days of believing that getting a degree guarantees a stable career and future. However, we can still be strategic about further education to aid our children in pursuing success in their future. Gordon offers both two and four-year degrees, with standout programs in nursing, education and business. Their nursing program is consistently ranked among the best in Georgia.
Our son took his first steps into DE this year and decided to try GSU. Truthfully, the biggest pull for us was ease of access. The drive was a steady drive down 1941 with few opportunities for our son to get lost. The campus is small and feels safe. That said, his college experience has been good. He took his professor’s advice and sought out the help from the free tutoring service available on campus. The advice was practical and helped him feel confident. For us, it’s been a great transition into the grown-up world of independent life. He is encouraged to contact his professors whenever necessary, and so far, he has always been met with support. As a homeschooler and recovering helicopter parent, this is great to see. I feel like we share the goal of setting up my son for success.
When we asked Gordon State to share how they feel about receiving homeschoolers on their rolls their answer was simple, “Some of our faculty and staff were homeschooled themselves and understand the unique needs of homeschool students. We are committed to helping homeschoolers transition smoothly into college and thrive on their path to graduation.”
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