“A midwestern treasure,” is how Brian Williams, CHS counselor, describes Washtenaw Community College (WCC).
Community students have a unique opportunity to go beyond the normal curriculum and pursue their personal interests to prepare for college. Rigor, ever-prized in college admissions, is available to students in the form of a college-level experience available close to home and often for free, as Ann Arbor Public Schools usually covers the cost of tuition. Students can take advantage of this opportunity in order to take steps toward their future goals and set themselves up for success.
Of the Community students who take classes at WCC, many elect to take math classes. The majority of these students have completed calculus and are looking to move to the next level of math. Once students finish calculus AB or BC the world of math courses opens up to them. Subjects such as calculus two and three, linear algebra, discrete mathematics and college-level statistics become available. Kamen Panayotov, CHS junior, was looking to take the next step in math and took the opportunity to acquire some new skills as well.
“Last year, after completing calculus one and doing some BC prep stuff, I decided to just go and do calc two for a semester and that was great,” Panayotov said. “I was also interested in some coding and some auto repair so I took calc two, a baby intro to java class and an auto shop class that first semester.”
These advanced math classes allow prospective STEM majors to get a head start on their degrees and prepare for college more effectively. Indigo Guikema, CHS senior, plans to major in math and is hoping to transfer his WCC credits to a four-year college.
“[It’s helpful to], one, get the college credit and, two, CRs don’t always work out because the [U of M] professor has to say okay, but for WCC if you can pay for a class, you have as much right to be there as any other student,” Guikema said.
The opportunity to take college classes is not without hurdles and these hurdles are often logistical. WCC is on the edge of Ann Arbor and as such traveling to and from the campus can be a challenge.
“I think the biggest challenge is just making it work with their daily routine,” Williams said. “Trying to figure out the class that they want to take and how it fits into their schedule. Can they get back and forth?”
Students may also struggle to find the same support that’s available to them at the high school level. In a high school class, the teacher does their best to make sure students are staying on track. At the college level, this amount of assistance isn’t always available.
Professors have office hours for students to ask questions and get help, but the process isn’t the same as in high school.
Many students who attend WCC classes often do so intending to earn college credit. Since Community doesn’t offer AP classes and taking one at Pioneer, Huron or Skyline presents its own set of challenges, college classes are a popular choice. Students apply directly to Washtenaw, instead of going through the CR office and getting approval from the professor, like one would do for a U of M class.
This simpler process saves time and effort, as students apply directly to WCC and register for classes as regular WCC students, no professor approval is required.
When it comes to college classes, the best tool in a student’s academic toolbox is to be a self-reliant learner.
Being able to self-regulate and track your progress is key, as the same level of accountability and attention that’s available in high school isn’t there at the college level.
“It helps to have a system that you can track your progress so you have the stills that you’re able to track your progress. What do you do when you face a challenge? Do you have some kind of plan?” Maneesha Mankad, CHS math teacher said.
Self-reliance and self-motivation are important since finding support at the college level can be more difficult than when you’re in high school. Students find that knowing how and where to access resources is key to success.
Taking college classes while in high school is an opportunity for students to take their learning in new directions.
Simultaneously they are able to earn college credit before going into higher education if they so choose.
Students who take WCC classes are able to support themselves or find support if need it outside of the classroom.
“I’m very proud of the kids who are doing this and taking on this challenge,” Mankad said. “It brings me the greatest joy to see them really flourish and enjoy and feel passionate about their learning.”
