Dual Credit Programs

Derby High School students will have the opportunity to earn college credits as well as Derby High School credits in a variety of courses. Derby High School has developed a partnership with Southern Connecticut State University, Housatonic Community College and the University of Connecticut. Students may take UCONN ECE (early college experience) courses in Italian and history. For the school year, HCC will offer courses in Advanced Manufacturing and English. Any senior student interested in enrolling in the Southern Connecticut State University on Special Topics in College and Career Readiness course must notify their School Counselor for registration. This course will help high school students explore and access resources to achieve their postsecondary and career goals.

Housatonic Community College Partnership Program

HCC (Housatonic Community College) High School Partnership Program

Students entering their junior or senior year of Derby High School can take one college level course at Housatonic Community College free of charge to earn both college credits and high school credit. Students must meet the required criteria to participate:

  • Entering junior (11th), or senior (12) year

  • Minimum academic GPA of 80 or better

  • Recommendation letter from the high school Principal or Counselor

  • Must have taken the SAT's at least once to provide a score report

  • See Counselor if interested

UCONN

Early College Experience (ECE) Courses The following courses are offered at DHS: Italian Comp/Conversation I, Italian Comp/Conversation II, and History (Western Traditions HIST 1300) For detailed information on courses, refer to the corresponding academic department)

  • UCONN ECE HIST 1300 .5 Credit/3 UCONN ECE credits Course number #04060 An analysis of the traditions and changes which have shaped Western political institutions, economic systems, social structures and culture in ancient and medieval times. Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation. Grade 11 and 12 only

  • UCONN – ILCS 3239: Italian Comp/Conversation I .5 Credit/3 UCONN ECE credits Course #4555 This course is designed to develop a student's fluency and spontaneous expression in the language through a combination of oral and written exercises. Class activities and discussions will be geared toward effective communication and the reinforcement of grammatical and lexical skills. Students will be assigned short compositions and oral presentations on a great variety of topics of general interest. Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation. Grade 11 and 12 only

  • UCONN – ILCS 3240: Italian Comp/Conversation II .5 Credit/3 UCONN ECE credits Course #4556 This course is a continuation of ILCS 3239. Further development of oral and written skills to achieve a higher degree of proficiency will be addressed. Students will be assigned longer compositions. This course will offer intensive training in oral expression in order to develop abilities in everyday spoken communication with a strong emphasis given to vocabulary and oral proficiency. Prerequisite: ILCS 3239: Italian Comp/Conversation I and Teacher Recommendation. Grade 11 and 12 only

Southern Connecticut State University -SCSU

EDU 198 - Mastery-Base Diploma Assessment in College and Career Readiness

  • This course will help high school students explore and access resources to achieve their postsecondary and career goals.

  • It will provide high school students with the knowledge and skills to identify their postsecondary and career options consistent with their interests, values, expectations, abilities and achievements.

  • Over the course of the semester, students will develop and present a comprehensive digital college and career readiness portfolio. This course will allow high school students to earn college dual enrollment credits.

  • Students may take this course in the Spring of their junior year or in the Fall of their senior year. Note: This course will be taken completely online at no cost to Derby High School students.

  • Students interested in enrolling should speak with their School Counselor.

SCSU Early College - Interested in taking college classes while still in high school? SCSU Early College provides high school students with the opportunity to explore subjects that you can’t typically study in high school. Explore courses in health care, business, education, science, or the arts at your high school or on SCSU college campus and earn up to 30 college credits towards a degree! Our school is a partner of our Early College program, tuition is waived for Early College courses taught at your high school or at SCSU!

Requirements for SCSU:

  • High School junior or senior

  • 3.0 GPA (B average) or higher

  • High school counselors may also recommend participation in specific courses of study where students have demonstrated academic promise or successfully completed related college-level coursework with a 2.0 GPA (C average) or higher.

Apex Learning (ONLY Recovery Courses must be authorized by School Counselor)