Allyson Hurtado Fernandez, left, and Silvana Castro Aguilar, right
By Allyson Hurtado Fernandez, Marketing Intern
For many upcoming high school seniors, the last year can be difficult trying to manage extracurricular activities while finding ways to prepare for their future. For Silvana Castro Aguilar at Tempe High School, Rio Salado’s Dual Enrollment program was the best way for her to get a head start on college while doing the things she loves.
Castro Aguilar first heard about dual enrollment in her junior year through friends who suggested it as an easy way to get college credits. After talking to her parents, she decided to give dual enrollment a shot. Starting her junior year, Silvana took IB Junior English and IB Spanish Year 1 on her high school campus while also receiving college credits. This year, she is doing the same with IB Senior English and IB Math Applications. Taking these college level classes has given her a chance to get ahead on credits, challenge herself academically.
"Dual enrollment is very helpful with getting those credits without having to do extra work on the side,” she said.
Dual enrollment is also helping Castro Aguilar take steps toward her future career as a veterinarian. The classes she takes now have credits that are easily transferred to various colleges. By getting the experience of college-level work in high school, she’s developing those skills she needs to manage difficult classes. The program is getting her used to higher level academics while moving her closer towards her career.
“The only thing is that it mainly applies for harder level classes. So, I do have to keep up with the work there."
Outside of the classroom, she is one of many active community members in her school. Castro Aguilar is a part of Tempe High’s badminton team, a new activity for her, which allows her to stay active while developing her teamwork and time management skills. She also participates in her school’s Spanish Honors Society and Key Club. There she’s able to connect with not just her peers but her community through volunteering, club events, and more.
As Castro Aguilar continues to navigate her high school career, she believes that Rio Salado has helped her feel more confident about what her future has to offer. By taking advantage of dual enrollment while staying active in school clubs and sports she's creating amazing opportunities for herself both inside and outside the classroom.
For any students that may be interested in dual enrollment, Castro Aguilar encourages them to give it a try and search for tuition assistance. Her experiences are an example of how college credits can become a part of high school without having to give up what makes school fun.