There are a wide variety of classes students can take at Apex High School, including honors and AP courses. However, there is another opportunity for students to expand their horizons and even earn college credit: dual enrollment with Wake Technical Community College and Career Promise (CCP) classes. 

Taking online Wake Tech courses allows students to have an abbreviated schedule or “hole” in their schedule for up to two class periods, depending on the number of CCP classes they take. Many students opt for a free first period in order to wake up later and arrive at school later. Others choose to take off their fourth period in order to go home earlier or work at their part-time jobs. Still others take second and third period off in order to have a free period to work during the day or to have a longer lunch during third period. 

Many benefits can be reaped from taking online Wake Tech classes. It presents an opportunity to get college credit. Most classes can be transferred to other universities in the UNC System. Wake Tech classes can also assist with college admissions by providing a GPA boost. Wake Tech classes are weighted the same as AP courses, meaning that an “A” will get you five points for your GPA.

Wake Tech classes provide an opportunity to challenge yourself with college level material and explore subjects that are not offered in school. For example, classes such as communications, sociology, art appreciation and many others are available. These can be helpful for upperclassmen who feel disappointed with the elective options at school and want to challenge themselves. In addition, these classes are less labor intensive than AP classes, while still providing a unique experience of being in a college-like environment. 

Classes lasting a variety of different weeks are available, but most students take classes that run for sixteen weeks in the fall and spring semesters. Fall semester classes typically begin in August and end in December. Spring semester classes begin in January and end in May. Summer classes that last ten weeks are also available for students in need of something to do in the summer. Some students prefer to take challenging classes like Precalculus in the summer in order to have more time to devote to the class material with less other responsibilities. 

Senior Jiya Patel is taking three Wake Tech classes this semester: Precalculus, Entrepreneurship I, and College Transfer Success. She has first and fourth period free. Someone with such extensive experience taking Wake Tech classes has a lot to share about the program. 

When asked about her favorite Wake Tech class, Jiya explained that she enjoyed Intro to Interpersonal Communications (COM-120) because “it was easy, and it taught me a lot of important things about communication and understanding other people.”

In regards to advice for someone interested in taking Wake Tech classes, Jiya offers these words: “Make sure to not wait till the last minute to finish certain assignments because they may seem easy but can be a lot of work. Always complete your work on time or before!”

Overall, Jiya enjoys and has benefited from taking online Wake Tech classes. “I can conveniently complete my courses without having to take time to go to the campus and can still attend school and have time for myself.”

While it is too late to register for Wake Tech classes for the spring semester, registration for the summer session and the fall semester of next year typically begin in March. Stay tuned for more information by checking the Student Services website and reading the PEAK News newsletter sent out by Mrs. Hofmann. 

Taking CCP classes is a wonderful opportunity for students at Apex. We hope you decide to take a class or two (or more!) during your high school career.