Forest Park School is giving students a chance to dual enroll in a college calculus class. From left, in front are Ava Fischer, Lily Sarder, Fynnly Ketola, Jonnie Ketola and Maykayli Carlson; in back are Dawson Ponchaud, William Hoffman, Cooper Hill and Brady Wagoner. Not shown is Connor Noe.

CRYSTAL FALLS — Students at Forest Park School District are getting a head start on their higher education thanks to a new dual enrollment initiative. During the 2024-2025 school year, teacher Dawson Ponchaud reached out to Bay College to bridge the gap between high school curriculum and college-level achievement.  

The resulting partnership allows Forest Park students to remain in their classroom with a face-to-face teacher, while also being enrolled in a rigorous calculus course that awards five college credits per semester.

The curriculum is comprehensive, covering limits and derivatives in the first semester, followed by integrals and applications of integration in the second.

“This is a great opportunity because students will be able to enter college with all of their basic math requirements fulfilled,” Ponchaud said.

This initiative ensures Forest Park graduates are not only college-ready but are entering their freshman year with significant progress already made toward their degrees.