Submitted by Leah Edgecombe, Huntsville City Schools Dual Enrollment/Early College Coordinator
ABOVE) Huntsville City Schools dual enrollment students attend college-level courses on campus and virtually as part of the district’s expanding Dual Enrollment and Early College programs. The high school students celebrate academic success during the Fall 2025 semester, collectively earning more than 2,500 college credit hours.(Picture credit: Chris White, Lee High School Counselor and Leah Edgecombe, Huntsville City Schools Dual Enrollment/Early College Coordinator)
Huntsville City Schools’ (HCS) Dual Enrollment and Early College programs closed out the Fall 2025 semester with significant growth, expanded course offerings, and notable student achievements. The district continues to strengthen partnerships with colleges and universities across Alabama, allowing high school students to earn college credit and explore future career pathways.
This semester, more than 800 high school students participated in dual-enrollment courses delivered in various formats. HCS students engaged in college courses on college campuses, virtually, at the Huntsville Center for Technology (HCS Career Technical Center), and on HCS high school campuses. The district collaborated with a wide range of higher education partners, including Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, Calhoun Community College, Drake State Community & Technical College, the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the University of North Alabama, and Northeast Alabama Community College.
Calhoun and Drake supported substantial numbers, with 216 and 262 enrolled, respectively. Other institutions also saw steady engagement, including Alabama A&M, with 186 participants enrolled in courses this fall. The University of Alabama in Huntsville’s combined total of 81 students across College Academy and standard dual-enrollment pathways also saw growth in dual enrollment through HCS.
Huntsville City Schools Dual Enrollment/Early College Coordinator, Leah Edgecombe, attributes the growth to strong partnerships, intentional advising of students, increasing parent and student knowledge of the benefits of dual enrollment, and the additional opportunities of several course offerings: including Salon Management, Health Science, and Hospitality and Tourism.
Academic outcomes remained strong across the board. During the Fall semester, students collectively earned more than 2,500 college credit hours. Students in the district’s Early College pilot program at Drake State also reached an important milestone: all 18 participating 10th-graders successfully completed their first semester of college coursework, earning seven credit hours each, which has the students on track to completing an associate’s degree by their senior year.
Looking ahead, Huntsville City Schools is preparing for continued growth. Registration for spring courses is already underway, with new and returning opportunities in business, healthcare, and computer information systems. The district will also host a series of virtual and in-person parent information sessions in January and February to help families navigate the dual enrollment process.
Ms. Edgecombe emphasized that the program’s mission remains the same: “broadening access, supporting academic excellence, and equipping students for success in both college and future careers.” Continued collaboration with higher education partners, local industries, and community stakeholders will guide HCS’s next phase of growth.
For more information regarding Huntsville City Schools’ Dual Enrollment Program, please visit www.huntsvillecityschools.org or call (256) 963-9808.
