As Bob Jones’ class of 2014 is ending their first semester of their senior year, a select group of seniors are also finishing their first semester of college.  Known as Dual Enrollment, Bob Jones seniors have the option to attend either UAH (the University of Alabama in Huntsville) or Calhoun Community College for part of their school day.

According to Diana Barry, Bob Jones’ Registrar, approximately 136 students lead a double life as part time high school student, part time college student this semester.

Seniors Nisha Patel and Amir Ahmed explain how Dual Enrolling at UAH opened their eyes to the educational differences of high school and college.

“It taught us a lot about learning to learn by yourself,” Nisha comments.

“I only went to my class twice a week for just two hours… and [succeeding] was up to you because the professor does not get to know you as personally and you really do have to carry a lot of your own weight.” Amir describes.

Beginning in 1985 in Minnesota, dual enrolling is both applauded and criticized by educators.

“I think students are remiss if they think that ‘I am going to forgo an AP class to take a Dual Enroll class’, they are two entirely different things,” Mrs. Dauma, an AP English Language and Composition teacher explains.

While AP classes and Dual Enrollment courses are two separate entities, Counselor Sheila Roberts does not dismiss Dual Enrollment as a great opportunity.  “We’ve had students who enrolled at Alabama and Auburn as a sophomore because of the…Dual Enrollment credits that they’ve had.  So that really has saved them time and saved them money.”

While educational gurus theorize what is and isn’t good for students, this does not change what these “double agent” students experience on a daily basis.

Scroll through the photos to see a day in the life of a Bob Jones Dual Enrollment student.