Maryann Anderson is both a junior in high school and freshman in college. She’ll be a full two years ahead of most of her peers when she graduates from Barton Community College in 2021.

“The more I do here, the less I’ll have to do somewhere else,” she said. “Right now I’m just trying to get through it and making myself do everything that needs to be done. I’m learning a lot of personal self-discipline.”

Maryann’s mother, Kris, has homeschooled her four other children while they were in Minnesota and sent them to college while they were in high school as well. She said the experience with Barton has been excellent.

“It’s a very welcoming environment,” she said. “Everyone was very helpful and encouraging. The Academic Advisor, Kristan Connell, who helped us get everything set up was great. She made us feel comfortable with moving ahead. The teachers I’ve met really care for the students and get to know their names. Some noticed Maryann with me in the hallway and stopped to introduce themselves.”

Maryann said her mother’s comments are spot on, adding that it’s a great environment for people who are not sure what they want to pursue in terms of a career.

“All the instructors have been very kind and helpful,” she said. “College is challenging but right now I am able to dabble in a few classes and figure out what I like to do best.”

Partnered Online program makes college credit in high school more accessible

Barton has been partnering with high schools across the state to offer specific online courses, which are normally provided at a higher cost, to high school students at the in-classroom rate, only $118 for Kansas residents for the 2020-21 academic year.

Coordinator of Community Education Karly Little said the Partnered Online offerings are classes that only include high school students and the schedule will be customized to a high school semester. Academic advisement will be available and a mentor at each partner school will be available to offer support to students as they work through the curriculum.

“More parents, advisors, and students are getting savvy with dual credit classes so they can get ahead and save time and money on their college educations,” she said.

For more information about Partnered Online, including which schools are participating and which courses are available or if you are a high school or homeschool official who’d like to see what Partnered Online offerings might be a good fit for your students, visit highschool.bartonccc.edu and select “partnered online” in the left navigation, or contact Karly Little at littlek@bartonccc.edu or 620-792-9294.

Story and photo by Brandon Steinert, Barton Community College.