Summer offers study options for the dedicated

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June 01, 2008

By Paris Achen

Mail Tribune

When junior Paige Granger sat down with her academic counselor at South Medford High School to craft her class schedule for next school year, there wasn't enough space for a Spanish class.

Not wanting to fall out of practice in her acquired language, which she's been studying for four years, Paige opted to pay $110 to take a required personal finance class online this summer through the Southern Oregon Education Service District.

She'll earn high school credit toward graduation for the personal finance course and still have room for Spanish 5 her senior year and other activities, including student leadership, the school's cross country, track and swimming teams and chores at her family's farm in Ruch.

"My schedule is really busy during the school year, so it's easier to get one thing done during the summer," Paige said.

For students who want to get ahead, participate each year in the arts, a second language or another strong interest or keep their skills honed to ace the SAT or ACT, summertime can be the wiggle room they need to accomplish their goals.

"Summer is a big time for us," said Virginia Petitt, online school specialist for the Southern Oregon ESD, which operates Oregon Online high school classes. "Students are doing a number of things: either making up credits, getting ahead in credits or with funds shrinking and shrinking and budgets tightening up, if they take required courses like personal finance or American government during the school year, they can't take their favorite thing in the whole world, which might be pottery, auto shop or band."

High school students in the Rogue Valley have various options for earning high school or college credit during the summer — none of which are available at their local high schools. But the classes come at a price.

High school credit

Southern Oregon students can expect to pay $110 for an online class at the ESD and even more at a college or university, though Jackson County's Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University both offer financial assistance to low-income students.

With tight budgets, Jackson County school officials said they can't afford summer classes for enrichment, but they offer summer school for credit retrieval after a student has failed or missed a class during the regular school year.

While some county school districts reimburse students for online courses they pass during the school year, they do not reimburse for those taken during the summer.

"In Medford, students will pay up front and if they successfully complete class and it's during the school year, they get $110 back from the school district," Petitt said. "The reason it doesn't apply in the summer is the school isn't getting the per-pupil (state funding)."

About 200 students enrolled in Oregon Online classes last summer, and about the same number are expected this summer, Petitt said.

Summer courses, which last from June 16 to Aug. 15, include English, math, science, health, social studies, personal finance, Japanese, Spanish, digital media, Web design and career options. June 29 is the last day to sign up.

"Some parents have their kids do a math class during the summer to keep skills honed for SAT in the fall," Petitt said. "That has become a phenomenon in the last two years because college entrance has become more competitive."

Some high schools also count high school credit earned through select universities and Rogue Community College, but students must first receive approval from their high school counselor.

For example, Ashland students can take an online course at Brigham Young University for $120 per credit, while Crater pupils can pay $145 per credit for a course from Portland State University.

South Medford senior Andy Kautz took family health and personal finance, required courses for graduation, last summer so that he could participate in three band classes this school year: wind ensemble, jazz band and jazz combo.

Andy, who plays the saxophone and piano, will attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston next fall.

"I wanted to expand my knowledge and get as broad of an education as I could in music before I left high school," Andy said.

College credit

High school students can get a jump on college and save some money by earning college credit during the summer.

RCC typically offers college classes for $68 per credit.

The community college has a summer promotion giving high school students who buy at least six credits another six credits for free. That means 12 credits over the summer would cost $408.

Some financial assistance may also be available to low-income students.

To be admitted to the RCC courses, high school students have to pass a placement test or show a letter indicating they've been admitted to a university.

Some local high schools will count the college credits as dual high school credit, with approval.

"If they're going back to high school and want to earn high school credit (in addition to college credit), they need to talk to their counselor because not all credits are 100 percent transferable," said Margaret Bradford, RCC community relations director.

At SOU, high school juniors and seniors can take up to 12 college credits in the summer in any lower-division, 100- or 200-level courses for 40 percent of the regular tuition, contingent on their high school's approval. For example, a one-credit class would cost a high school pupil $186 instead of $308.

Financial assistance is available to students based on need for up to 70 percent of tuition.

Regular university students are given priority for available class seats.

Last summer was the first time the SOU program was offered, and about 15 high school students participated, said Carol Jensen, director of SOU pre-college youth programs.

Students may register through the end of the school year, which is June 6 for the Medford School District.

SOU also offers a SAT preparation class for $195 during the summer and a journalism workshop, worth one credit, for $289.

Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4459 or pachen@mailtribune.com.

Correction: The original version of this story included incorrect information about financial assistance. This version has been corrected.

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