WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING A CCP CLASS!

• Please know this is a COLLEGE class with college-level work and college-level expectations.  This is not a high school course! CCP courses can help, or hurt a student depending on their performance.  These courses start their college GPA!

• Difference between CCP/AP/IB: CCP classes are college-level classes, taught by college faculty. As long as a student maintains a C or better in these classes, they will receive college credit. AP and IB classes are taught by the high school staff at the high school. Students must pass exams (typically scoring a 3-5)  for these classes to earn college credit. All three types of classes give students high school credit. With CCP there is a clear articulation agreement between the NC community college system, the UNC system, and most private schools that clearly state how (and if) the course will transfer to a 4-year university.  Please make sure you read the grade section about high school weights.             

• GRADES: The grade the student receives in this class does affect their high school GPA AND their college GPA.  You must receive a letter grade of at least a C (numerical grade of 70 or higher) for the course to transfer. Withdrawing or Failing a CCP class does have the possibility to affect their college financial aid.  In other words, the grade in the CCP class is very important.  Students will receive an ‘incomplete” on their high school report cards until the end of the semester. Students can see their grades in Blackboard at any time. CCCC will turn in a final letter grade to LCHS at the end of the semester, which then will be transferred into a numeric grade according to the NC Department of Public Instruction. For example, an “A” in the CCP class will show as a 95 on the student’s high school report card, “B”=85, “C”=75, “D”=65, “F” = 65.      *Failing a CCP class or Withdrawing from a class may make you ineligible to take future  CCP classes!   **Please note that not every CCP course is weighted the same as an AP/IB course.  If you are taking a CCP course that is listed in the articulation agreement those classes will be weighted differently than a CCP "CTE" course.  If you are unsure of how a course is weighted, because it varies, please check directly with guidance or your CCP Advisor. Depending on what college you decide to attend will depend on if a CCP course is listed as transferable.  Courses under CTE pathways are not guaranteed to transfer. **

• Attendance: Central Carolina Community College’s attendance policy states that students cannot miss 20% or more of the class or the student can be withdrawn from the course. For online classes, students receive attendance through CCCC by turning in weekly assignments. If a student fails to turn in assignments, they are marked absent for the week by the community college. If you get withdrawn from a class, you can NOT be placed back into that class.  

• Communication: Students will need to communicate with their college instructors using the CCCC Cougarmail account only!  High school email addresses and/or personal email address may not get through filters and will not be answered.  Students are encouraged to check email and blackboard EVERY DAY! Students are college students and reminded to be mindful of tone, use proper grammar and punctuation and do not expect an immediate response (usually a 48-hour window) when using email. It is the expectations of the instructors (and myself) for the student to communicate with them.  If your child has questions about the course they will need to reach out to the instructor. Instructors will not usually speak to parents due to FERPA regulations. If you have questions please reach out to the CCP advisor.  

• Schedules: CCCC and high school schedules may not align.  Breaks may come at different times. It is your responsibility to attend your college class, even when the high school is not in session.
• Skills Needed: Time management skills and being “tech-savvy” are needed for CCP online classes.  If they are not comfortable with technology being in an online class may not be a good fit.  We also see a need for students to be self-disciplined and pay close attention to details.
• Registration will follow the CCCC calendar.  Remember colleges register on a semester by semester basis.  If a college course is full (or closed) there is not a way for you to be added to that course.  
• Blackboard: Students need to spend time going through the course.  They will find where to submit: Discussion Boards - Assignments -Complete tests. They will need to read the ENTIRE SYLLABUS AND/OR COURSE DUE DATES & TIMES and read all  ANNOUNCEMENTS! Instructors can see: When an assignment is attempted or when you submitted an assignment, it has a timestamp. Encourage your student to not wait until the last minute to turn in assignments.  Most instructors do not accept late work. If something happens at the last minute they are more than likely not going to accept it since all due dates are usually given on the first day of class.
• If you take 1-2 online courses you will be placed in ONE high school block.  This is plenty of time, if you use your time wisely, to complete work in both of those college classes.