John Alberts' English class looks like most high school classrooms.

Posters with advice on writing a paper hang on the wall. A schedule of upcoming events is pinned to a bulletin board. The students sit at their desks, their Austin High School identification cards dangling in front of them.

But the course he teaches is a first-year college English class. And the students can use the course for college credit.

The class, English Composition, is part of a program called concurrent enrollment, in which high school students can take post-secondary classes at their high school.

The classes are taught by AHS faculty, held in AHS classrooms, but follow a curriculum approved by Riverland Community College.

"It helps them stay connected to the high school," said Alberts, an AHS language arts teacher who teaches three sections of college English.

Currently AHS offers classes in English, Web design, criminal justice and CISCO networking. This semester, 179 students are enrolled in these classes.

In December, AHS Principal Joe Brown requested more classes from Riverland Community College for next school year. He would like students be able to take courses in humanities, anatomy, physiology and government. His goal is to eventually be able to offer enough classes for students to earn an associate's degree while still in high school, or at least one to one and a half years of college credit.

"We also want to keep as many of our students here as we can," Brown said.

Academic deans at Riverland Community College are reviewing Brown's request this month and will respond in time for the school to set up its curriculum schedule for next school year, said Michael Bequette, Riverland senior vice president of academic affairs.

Both students and faculty must meet certain requirements to participate in the courses. Juniors must have at least a 3.0 grade point average, while seniors need a 2.5 or higher. Students also have to pass Riverland's admissions test.

Teachers must have a master's degree in the subject they're teaching or have a bachelor's degree and 16 graduate credit hours in that subject. If they are working toward a master's in that subject, they also can teach the college-level courses.

Riverland appoints a professor to mentor the high school teacher and observe their classroom, Bequette said.

The class sizes may not exceed 30 and the curriculum must be approved by Riverland.

The courses benefit both the students and the schools, according to those involved in the program.

Students and their parents save money on tuition if the college they choose to attend accepts the credits. They also learn what is expected of them in a college course.

"It exposes you to an advanced learning environment," said Mike Osboe, a senior at AHS who is taking Alberts' English class.

Osboe is looking into Winona State University or Iowa State University and hopes the credits will transfer.

Even if the credits do not transfer, Rachel Kanne, a junior, said taking the English class is worth it.

"It should transfer, but if it doesn't, it doesn't really matter," said Kanne, who plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa. "If it doesn't transfer, I'll do it again."

The class meets only three days a week, which the students, half jokingly, mention as one of the top benefits.

They have noticed the class is more intense than their regular high school courses and are grateful for the extra days to catch up.

"There's not as much class slack time," Osboe said.

Katie Bambrick, a senior, has noticed the skills she learns in Alberts' English class help her in other classes.

Some of the students in Alberts' class says AHS graduates they've talked to say the concurrent enrollment courses have helped them in college.

Lindsay Pint, a junior, said taking the courses at AHS is more convenient than driving over to Riverland. She plans to take more concurrent enrollment classes next semester.

A survey of the students showed that two of three juniors and seniors preferred to take college courses at AHS, Brown said.

By having more classes at AHS, the school would be able to retain more students who choose to take post-secondary courses at Riverland, Brown said. Because 90 AHS students have enrolled at Riverland this year, the school district has lost $409,000, he said.

Riverland and AHS also are considering a program where students who want to pursue a vocational or technical degree would be able to earn it during high school. The students would still be enrolled at AHS, but complete the program at Riverland.

The details of that program have to be worked out, but the students would have to meet a GPA requirement and pass a basic skills test, Brown said.

"It's a great example of how Riverland and Austin High School are working together," Brown said.

Bequette also thinks it will be a good opportunity for both schools and the students. Enrollment in these courses are low at Riverland. AHS does not have the equipment for courses like machining or auto body so students who are interested in these fields do not get a chance to experience them. By attending Riverland, they would get that chance, Bequette said.

"They would be able to apply themselves in other ways," he said.

If Riverland is not able to offer AHS the concurrent enrollment courses they would like to offer, Brown is also looking into courses from Southwest State University.

"Either way, our kids are going to get an opportunity," Brown said.

Southwest requires that the instructors have a master's degree, but not in a particular field.

But Brown said he still wants to work with Riverland.

"The goal is to keep a nice relationship at Riverland," Brown said.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com