A BOCES course is a Casper College course taken on the college campus, via the Internet, or at the high school. You receive high school credit and college credit for successfully completing these courses. The credits may be used in a core area or as an elective on your high school transcript. You will also receive an official Casper College transcript for these same courses.
BOCES will pay tuition and books for most courses offered by Casper College at the 1000 level or above (called dual credit courses; for some courses, you must meet a prerequisite). BOCES will not pay for private music studios, physical education, remedial 900 level courses, or community service-style classes. Other college courses are offered at the high schools (concurrent courses). Concurrent courses are noted in this directory. Jeana Lam-Pickett, BOCES Manager, is located at Casper College. She can be reached at (307) 268-3309 to answer any questions you may have or you can make an appointment to meet with her for advising at your high school.
High school juniors and seniors who are Natrona County residents, meet all course prerequisites, and are enrolled in at least one academic course (excluding Study Hall, Teachers Assistant, and Correspondence) may enroll in the BOCES program. Freshmen and sophomore students may take courses after contacting their counselor and the BOCES office, 268-3309, to confirm eligibility and then with the college instructor’s permission. Instructors have the final say on admission. You will be considered a part-time college student responsible for scheduling adequate time to meet course assignments and attendance.
BOCES will pay for the tuition and books for one course during the summer semester for 9th-12th grade students, including the semester after graduating high school. 9th and 10th grade students: BOCES will pay the tuition and books for one course in the Fall and Spring semesters and one Summer course. 11th and 12th grade students: BOCES will pay for tuition and books for two courses in each of the Fall and Spring semesters in addition to the one Summer course.
Courses paid for through BOCES will apply to a student’s transcript at both the high school and Casper College. If students pay for the course, they can choose whether or not to have the course placed on their high school transcript.
One credit hour of classes will be transferred as 0 high school credits. Two credit hour classes will be transferred as .5 high school credits. Three to five credit hour classes will be transferred as 1 high school credit.
Weighted grades are allowed only when the college course is an extension of a weighted class at the high school level (i.e., Calculus 2). Students who wish to have a class considered for honors credit/ weighted grading must make a request to the Principal before enrolling in the class. All other classes will receive Ranking Points as regular classes.
It is recommended that you meet with your high school counselor to discuss your class schedule and plans, then complete the BOCES enrollment form, gather all the necessary signatures (parent, counselor), and take it to the CC Enrollment Services.
Students must fill out the BOCES ACE registration form for the course to be paid for through the BOCES program. When you submit the form, they will give you the pink copy, which you can then take to the bookstore to pay for the books. The staff at the bookstore are happy to help you identify which books you need. They will bill BOCES for the books.
To enroll in certain Math, English, or Science courses, you will need to meet prerequisite scores on the ACT. If you have not taken the ACT or failed to meet the prerequisite score, CC Student Services, 268-2201, provides the Tailwind English and Math placement exams ($8 per exam) that may qualify you for the specific course.
BOCES will pay tuition and books for one course at Casper College during the summer immediately after graduation. This course may be remedial (800-900 level) and is the only exception to the rule in #3 above.
BOCES students are not fully admitted college students, and if they wish to attend Casper College after high school graduation, they MUST apply for admission during their senior year.
Courses listed with the BOCES symbol are potential offerings. Please contact your high school counselor with any questions.
Transcripts from BOCES Program
Every dual and concurrent enrollment course will be recorded on an official Casper College transcript and your high school transcript. This Casper College transcript will follow you throughout your college career, so it is very important to take these courses seriously!
After high school, the student must request that an official Casper College transcript be sent to whatever college he/she attends. The credits will not automatically transfer.
To request a transcript, you can complete a form in the admissions office at Casper College or online through the MCC info portal. The best time to do this is during the summer after high school.
Credits may or may not transfer depending on each institution’s policies. Before selecting your dual enrollment courses, you should check with the college you plan to attend.
Factors Influencing College Admission
Each year, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the College Board surveys colleges and universities to determine the top factors influencing admission decisions. The following factors, in order of importance, were:
- Grades in College Prep Courses
- Grades in All Courses
- Strength of Curriculum
- Essay/Personal statement
- Subject Test Scores (AP, IB) & ACT Scores
- Teacher/Counselor Letters of Recommendation
- Class Rank
- Extracurricular Activities
- Volunteering
- Work
- Demonstrated Interest
Recommended College Preparatory Classes
Colleges vary in individual requirements. Parents and students are responsible for becoming familiar with the requirements of the particular college to which they plan to apply. Students should see their counselor if they need assistance in this area.
Major universities require or recommend the following areas of study during grades 9 through 12:
| Area of Study | Number of Credits |
|---|---|
| Language Arts | 4 credits |
| Social Studies | 3 credits |
| Mathematics (Including Algebra I, II, and Geometry) | 4 credits |
| Science | 4 credits |
| Foreign Language (min. 2 years of the same language) | 2 credits |
| Fine Arts Courses (Music, Art, Drama) | 1 credit (at least) |
| Computer Related Courses |
Extracurricular:
- Find activities, both in and out of school, that you enjoy and that provide an outlet for your non-academic side.
- Go for quality rather than quantity. Colleges admire students who put significant effort into one or two activities rather than students who put little time into many activities.