As winter break comes to a close and the spring semester begins around 60 PCM High School Students will start online and in-person classes through Des Moines Area Community College, or DMACC. Students in grades 11 and 12 along with students in the Extended Learning Program are eligible to enroll in DMACC courses. These courses are worth dual credit, meaning they count towards high school graduation requirements as well as college credits.

 Students can take almost any class online from composition, psychology, agriculture, medical terminology, philosophy, and many more. This opportunity is perfect for students because if they take the course while in high school, they are not charged for it and PCM High School takes care of course and book fees. Many students take this opportunity and take as many DMACC classes as they can to advance them in the future at a four year college. Some students will even become academically a sophomore in their first year attending their chosen school. 

Other students who choose to take in-person classes can even get a head start on their future profession. For example, the DMACC in-person nursing program allows high school students to get their CNA certification before even graduating high school. This enables them to get jobs and have better luck at getting into nursing programs. 

Students who choose to take online classes are each allotted an everyday study hall during the 8-period school day. Each class is run through an educational site called, Blackboard. Professors will then post weekly or biweekly what student expectations are along with the work due for the week. Assignments vary from video lessons, textbook reading, discussion boards, paper writing, and much more. Students are then able to submit their work and view grades on Blackboard. Students are also given access to a DMACC email address to email their professors if they have questions or need help. However, online courses are self-motivated and typically up to each student to put in their best effort instead of getting behind. 

Overall, online and in-person DMACC classes are a huge advantage to students and accessible to all junior and senior high school students.