Kaskaskia College sees record numbers in ‘KC Now’ program enrollment

Local high school students get ahead on college credit, career training through KC Now

As another school year comes to a close, Kaskaskia College wants to educate students about a program that is picking up steam while helping students prepare for the next phase of their educational journey or career.

KC Now is a program where high school students can take the same college courses as college students, in person with college students, while still being in high school. The program started in 2020 with just one high school participating, and has grown now to nine area schools with a record 48 students enrolled in the program.

KC Dual Credit and Career Pathways Coordinator Kelsey Tate said the program is different from dual credit. Dual credit is a class offered by the high school where students take the course inside their high school as high school students. They receive college credit for the course, but it’s done in a high school environment, and students can only take what’s offered by their schools.

KC Now is a dual enrollment program where high school students take classes on Kaskaskia College’s campus in Centralia, with some courses offered at other KC locations, too. Although these students are still in high school, in the KC Now program they’re effectively college students, meaning they are in normal college classes on campus with college students with nothing differentiating the students while in class. KC Now participants have a wider variety of classes they can take on campus.

“I think it’s an excellent opportunity for students to explore a program or a set of classes they are interested in,” Tate said. “The KC Now program also offers significant savings for students, 50 percent off the normal cost of tuition and mandatory fees for each class. Additional financial support is available for those who qualify. It’s a great chance for students to explore their career interests without much financial outlay. It’s also a great way to get ahead on college credit.”

According to studies, a bachelor’s degree takes on average just over four years to complete, and those with graduate degree plans can be in school many years beyond that. Some studies have shown that close to 40% of high school graduates do not enroll in college, so it’s important they build the right skills to enter the workforce.

KC Now allows current high school students to take courses at Kaskaskia College during normal school day hours, allowing them to get ahead on their college degree or helping them build essential skills for a successful, well-paying career right out of high school.

“KC Now is also a wonderful way for high school students to prepare for the workforce,” Tate said. “Our electrical wiring class has 30 students enrolled in it, with 11 being KC Now students currently. It’s awesome to see that over 30 percent of the class are current high school students who will be able to stay at KC just one more year after high school to earn their degree. The KC Now program will help them trim down the amount of time they have to be here before they go into the workforce after completing our Electrical Program.”

The 48 students enrolled this spring semester account for over 360 credit hours and 111 class seats from courses in trade, to childcare, to nursing assistant and general education courses. The schools participating are Wesclin, Mater Dei, Central, Carlyle, Patoka, Sandoval, Odin, Nashville and Christ Our Rock.

Current high school students and their guidance counselors can meet with Tate to select courses for the KC Now program. Learn more here.

 

Kaskaskia College is a public community college in Centralia, Ill., within South Central Illinois District 501, serving all or part of nine counties, including Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Marion, Washington, Jefferson, St. Clair, Madison, and Montgomery. Committed to making education accessible, they host the Centralia Crisp Technology Center and have education centers in Greenville, Nashville, Salem, Trenton, and Vandalia, Ill.

The Higher Learning Commission accredits the college, which offers a broad spectrum of degrees, programs, and certification options, specializing in two-year associate degrees and trade school programs. Founded in 1940, Kaskaskia College was the first Class I Community College established in Illinois.