Dual-Enrollment

Dual enrollment is one option for students under Competent Private Instruction (CPI) to:

  • access classes
  • participate in extracurricular activities offered by the district
  • obtain special education programs or services required by an IEP (Individualized Education Program), including Speech Therapy

By selecting the dual-enrollment option, students can participate in up to 75% of their academic classes (while homeschool at least 25%) and/or extra-curricular activities at the appropriate Ames public school.

Kindergarten – 5th Grade

Dual enrollment is requested for specific subjects and not for times of day. Each elementary building finalizes its schedule just before classes begin in August, therefore, it’s not possible until then to know if multiple classes are held consecutively.

A K-5 dual-enrolled student is limited to no more than 4 periods per day in the classroom.

  • Reading/Language Arts count as 2 periods.
  • Math counts as 1 period.
  • Science & Social Studies combined count as 1 period.
  • Related arts combined (art, PE, music, media) count as 1 period.

In order to participate in the Extended Learning Program (ELP or Talented & Gifted) in a school building, the correlating subject must be taken in the classroom through dual enrollment. ELP services are offered beginning 4th grade and the student must re-qualify each year.

In order to participate in the Alternative Learning Program or receive an intervention (i.e. SUCCESS) in a school building, the correlating subject must be taken in the classroom.

Orchestra begins in grade 4 and band begins in grade 5.

Ames Middle School (Grades 6-8)

  • A 6th-8th dual-enrolled student may take up to 5 periods per day each semester. Classes that meet every-other-day count as 0.5 period.
  • Dual-enrollment for academics includes any classes offered during the school day (math, literacy, science, social studies, or electives such as art, band, etc.).
  • Dual-enrollment for extra-curricular activities includes any sports or clubs that meet outside of the school day.
  • In order to participate in ALP (Alternate Learning Program) or ELP (Extended Learning Program) or receive an intervention in a school building, the correlating subject must be taken in the classroom.

Ames High School (Grades 9-12)

Dual-enrolled students at Ames High School (AHS) have access to classes, clubs, extra-curricular activities, and Family Connection (AHS’s college application management system), in addition to their homeschooling. A student must be dual-enrolled to access PSEOs.

  • 9th-12th grade homeschool dual-enrolled students may take up to 6 credits per semester
  • For a student to take more than that number of classes, they need to be enrolled full-time at AHS.
  • A high school student must be dual-enrolled to access Senior Year Plus (PSEO classes and Career Academy), with the exception of Concurrent Enrollment.