What is the Dual Achievement Program?

• The Dual Achievement Program, offered through the ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep), offers qualified students a path to high school graduation through Atlanta Technical College.
• Students in the program simultaneously earn a high school diploma (awarded by Atlanta Technical College, and one of the following:
  • 2 Technical College Certificates of Credit
  • 1 Technical Diploma
  • Associate Degree
• The high school diploma is a recognized high school diploma – just like one would earn from a traditional high school.

Who is a good candidate for the Dual Achievement Program?

• Dual Achievement serves students that are seeking a different environment away from a traditional high school. If you have a student that is unhappy with their current learning environment and has expressed a desire to withdraw or has already made the decision to withdraw, the Dual Achievement Program may be a good fit for them.
• The ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep) provides individuals with the opportunity to achieve personal and professional success. Our academic programs are built to prepare students for sustainable employment with hands-on learning and personal enrichment.
• Dual Achievement is ideal for students seeking a new environment to complete their high school course requirements while earning college credentials to prepare them for in-demand careers.

Are there eligibility requirements?

• Students must withdraw from their high school or home school program and be aged 16-21.
• Students must have completed 6 of the 9 required high school courses (2-English, 2-Math, 2-Science, 2-Social Studies, 1-Health/PE).
  • To qualify, students must have 6 of the following 9 classes:
    Geometry A / Geometry B
    Algebra A / Algebra B
    Government / Economics
    World History A / World History B
    Biology A / Biology B
    Physical Science A / Physical Science B
    Health / PE
    9th Grade Lit & Comp A / 9th Grade Lit & Comp B
    10th grade Lit & Comp A / 10th Grade Lit & Comp B
• The Accuplacer test is not required.

How much does it cost?

• Like Dual Enrollment and Option B, Dual Achievement is low or zero cost to the student. There are multiple funding opportunities available for eligible students to offset the costs of the college portion of the program.

How does Dual Achievement work?

• Students enroll in the ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep) having completed at least 6 of the 9 required high school courses.
• Students complete any remaining required high school courses, which are taught by technical college faculty through the ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep). These self-paced courses are available online and/or blended, with resources available at the ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep) to help the students achieve success.
• Before graduation, students must successfully complete any remaining required high school courses and complete one of the following Atlanta Technical College credentials
  • 2 TCCs
• Most of these college courses are hands-on and all are career focused.
• All Dual Achievement students have access to the same support resources as other students, such as success and career advisors and technical support.

Will students withdrawing to participate in the Dual Achievement Program Pilot be considered high school dropouts?

• No, they will be considered transfer They are students transferring from their high school into the Dual Achievement Program at Atlanta Technical College.
• The school district has a specific code to use to transfer the students into Atlanta Technical College: 07- Transfer to Technical College.

Is the ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep) similar to for-profit institutions?

• Dual Achievement students at the ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep) pay very little out of pocket, if any at all. Our students take high school and college courses at the same time and earn at minimum two Technical Certificates of Credit along with their high school diploma.
• Atlanta Technical College may also leverage relationships with local business and industry to assist our students with career placement upon graduation.

How is Dual Achievement different from Option B?

• Dual Achievement is different from Option B because Option B students must take all 9 high school courses at the high school.
  • Dual Achievement students can take up to 3 of those required high school courses at ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep).
• The high school diplomas are awarded differently.
  • Option B students receive a high school diploma from their high school.
  • Dual Achievement students are awarded a high school diploma from the ATC Preparatory Academy (ATC Prep).
• Dual Achievement students must be transferred from their high school or home school and must have completed 6 of the 9 required high school courses (2-English, 2-Math, 2-Science, 2-Social Studies, 1-Health/PE).
• Dual Achievement students are not factored into CCRPI and test scores for their previous high school or district.
• Option B students still have the high school experience and participate in extra-curricular activities, combined with the college experience.
  • Dual Achievement students are completely withdrawn from the high school.