Dual Enrollment at Shadow Mountain
Get a head start on your degree with Dual Enrollment at Shadow Mountain High School. Through our strategic partnerships with the Maricopa Community Colleges, Matadors can earn official college credits and high school credits simultaneously.
Dual Enrollment is an ideal pathway for motivated students who want to experience the rigor of college coursework while benefiting from the familiar support and environment of Shadow Mountain.
Benefits of Dual Enrollment
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The credits students earn at Shadow Mountain are recorded on an official community college transcript and are highly transferable to all three Arizona public universities (ASU, UArizona, and NAU), as well as many out-of-state institutions.
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Families save thousands in future tuition, as Dual Enrollment courses are offered at a fraction of the cost of standard university credits, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to begin the higher education journey.
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As a Dual Enrollment student, you are officially a college student, giving you access to Maricopa Community College resources, including digital libraries, writing centers, and career services.
Courses Offered in Dual Enrollment:
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Statistics
- Business Math
- College Algebra
- Honors Pre-Calculus
- Pre-Calculus
- Honors Biology
- Early Childhood
- English 101
- English 102
- Forensic Crime Scene
- Honors 2D Visual Arts Practices NVAA
- Honors Exit Portfolio 2D Visual Art NVAA
- Honors Dance Company NVAA
- Honors Dance Technique NVAA
- Honors Dance Composition & Performance NVAA
- Honors Digital Music NVAA
- Honors Music Studio & Recording NVAA
- Honors Theatre Production NVAA
At a Glance: Which one is right for you?
| Feature | AP Courses | Dual Enrollment (via PVCC); |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Earned By | One end-of-year exam score | Final course grade |
| Location | SMHS | SMHS |
| National Transfer | Widely accepted nationwide | Best for in-state or partner schools |
| Cost | Usually just the exam fee. | Varies (often subsidized or free) |
| Curriculum | Standardized (College Board) | Set by PVCC |
Don't feel like you have to choose just one! Many students mix and match, taking AP for subjects they want to master for competitive admissions and Dual Enrollment for subjects where they want guaranteed credit at a local university.