Lexington County School District Two discussed its current dual enrollment and early college opportunities during a recent school board meeting.

The district partners with Midlands Technical College to offer students the chance to take college-level courses and earn an associate degree while still in high school.

The early college program begins in a student’s freshman year or the summer before sophomore year. Students commit to the program for three to four years.

Through the partnership, students can earn an Associate of Arts with concentrations in marketing, finance/accounting, general management, public service or interdisciplinary studies. They can also earn an Associate of Science with a concentration in interdisciplinary studies.

Participation in the early college program dipped slightly last year. In the 2023-24 school year, the program had 54 students. That number increased to 80 for the 2024-25 school year. The district currently has 57 applicants for the 2025-26 school year.

Rising ninth graders interested in the early college program must be in good standing in grades, behavior and attendance; have principal and counselor recommendations; submit PSAT, MAP and/or ACCUPLACER scores; participate in a student interview; and provide teacher recommendations.

Rising 10th graders must also be in good standing, be ranked in the top 25% of their class, or have a weighted GPA of 3.0, include principal and counselor recommendations, submit PSAT, SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER scores, participate in a student interview and provide teacher recommendations.

The dual enrollment and certificate pathway is available to 11th and 12th-grade students who are not in the early college program. Also offered in partnership with Midlands Tech, this program allows students to take free college courses while in high school.

Students can earn between 18 and 36 credit hours, which may transfer to a two- or four-year college. Students are encouraged to verify that the credits will transfer to the college of their choice.

Certificates are available in public service, health science, business administration and general college studies.

To be eligible, 11th and 12th graders must be in good standing in grades, attendance and behavior; submit principal and counselor recommendations; have a weighted GPA of 3.0; submit PSAT, SAT, ACT or ACCUPLACER scores; commit to taking at least two classes per semester; and meet Midlands Tech entrance requirements.