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College Credit at HCA

At Hametown Christian Academy, students have the opportunity to gain a head start on their future through multiple post-secondary pathways—including CLEP exams, CCP, Sophia Learning and Study.com online college courses, and preparation for the ACT and SAT. Earning college credit during high school allows students to enter college with advanced standing, often having already completed major portions of their general education requirements.

 

In addition to earning college credit, some of these courses also function as dual enrollment, meaning a single class can count toward both high school graduation requirements and college credit at the same time. This allows students to accelerate their academic progress efficiently while strengthening their transcript for future college admissions.

 

Students in grades 7–12 are eligible to participate in these programs. Early college credit not only enriches academic growth but also provides substantial financial advantages. With the average cost of in-state tuition for a four-year institution at approximately $12,000 per year, completing credits ahead of time will lead to immense savings. Many of these opportunities are free or significantly more affordable than traditional college tuition.

 

Depending on a student’s future degree path, it’s possible to complete up to 75% of a college degree before ever stepping onto a university campus—meaning some students may enter college with junior or even senior standing. Our goal is to equip students with tools, guidance, and opportunities that help launch them into higher education with confidence, preparation, and stewardship of both time and resources.

Interested in College Credit Opportunities at HCA?

If you're excited about giving your child the chance to participate in university assessment tests and other post secondary avenues—all while receiving an academically thorough, Christ-centered high school education—Hametown Christian Academy is here to guide you every step of the way.

 

For any questions about early college planning, college exams, dual enrollment, college credit courses,

entrance requirements, or any other related topics, please contact:

Mr. Michael Armbruster at: 330.322.5970 or hametownca@gmail.com

CLEP

College-Level Examination Program

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CLEP offers 33 college-level exams that are accepted by more than 2,900 universities and colleges for credit in a wide variety of academic disciplines. CLEP exams allow students to earn college credit by demonstrating mastery of a subject through a standardized test—bypassing the need to take the full college course. Exams and official information are available through the College Board’s CLEP program.

 

Even better, by completing the FREE prep courses and practice tests offered through Modern States, students can take their CLEP exams at no cost.

Sophia
Learning
&
Study.com

Sophia Learning offers flexible, self-paced online college courses that students can complete at anytime. There’s no fixed schedule, and you can finish as many courses as you want each month for one flat subscription price of $99/month. These ACE-recommended courses have transferred to hundreds of colleges and universities and can also count as dual enrollment credit toward high school requirements.

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Study.com's "College Starter" plan at $95/month offers another excellent avenue for earning affordable, transferable college credits. Students can complete self-paced, video-based courses that are ACE-recommended and accepted by over 2,000 colleges and universities. Like Sophia Learning, some of these courses can also count as dual enrollment, allowing students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously.

CCP

College Credit Plus Program

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College Credit Plus is Ohio’s official dual-enrollment program that allows eligible students in grades 7–12 to earn both high school and college credit at the same time by taking accredited college courses. These classes are offered at no cost to families, making CCP one of the most financially beneficial pathways for early college advancement.

Hametown Christian Academy maintains an active relationship with the University of Akron, and several of our students in recent years have chosen to take CCP courses directly through the university. This gives motivated students the chance to experience real college classrooms—on campus—while still receiving full support from HCA.

Through CCP, students can begin fulfilling general education requirements early, explore future majors, and build a strong college transcript long before graduation.

SAT & ACT

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

The SAT is a nearly universally recognized college entrance exam that measures readiness in reading, writing, and math. Strong scores broaden college opportunities and increase scholarship eligibility. Students can register and find official details through the SAT website. For readily accessible, FREE test preparation, we recommend using Khan Academy, which offers personalized SAT practice tied directly to the test format.

Hametown Christian Academy's ACT CEEB code: 360304

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ACT (American College Testing)

The ACT assesses student achievement in English, math, reading, and science, and it is accepted by nearly all U.S. colleges and universities. Students may register and explore official test information through the ACT website.

For targeted preparation, Study.com offers structured ACT study courses with video lessons, practice tests, and skill-building resources.

Hametown Christian Academy's ACT CEEB code: 360304

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SAT vs. ACT: Understanding the Differences

Both the SAT and ACT are widely accepted college entrance exams, and most U.S. colleges have no preference between them. Many schools—even competitive ones—have also moved to test-optional admissions, meaning students may be admitted without submitting either score. However, strong test results still boost applications and open more scholarship opportunities.

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Key Differences:

  • SAT: Focuses heavily on reasoning, problem-solving, reading comprehension, and data literacy. Students generally have more time per question. The SAT is also more widely recognized internationally, making it a strong choice for students considering study abroad.

  • ACT: Includes an additional Science section that emphasizes data interpretation and scientific reasoning. The ACT tends to move at a faster pace and is often preferred by students confident in math, science, and quick timed environments.

 

Which Test Should Students Choose?

 

We strongly recommend trying practice versions of both to see which format feels more natural. Some students do well with the slower, reasoning-focused style of the SAT, while others prefer the faster, straightforward structure of the ACT.

While taking both is an option, it’s absolutely fine to focus on the exam that best matches the student’s strengths and future plans.

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College Preferences:

  • U.S. colleges and trade schools: Virtually all accept either test equally, and many don’t require them at all.

  • International universities: The SAT is more commonly requested or recognized, though the ACT is increasingly accepted.

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