Northwest College is one of the best colleges in the state in terms of shepherding high school students through to achieve college credits. 

“It was great to see Northwest on top,” board chair Denise Laursen said. 

NWC Institutional Research Manager Lisa Smith shared the annual postsecondary education options report with the college board during Monday’s meeting. 

In the 2024-2025 school year, Northwest College enrolled 609 students in 5,773 concurrent or dual credits, averaging 9.5 credits per student (389 students in 2545 concurrent credits; 424 students in 3228 dual credits).

Dual classes involve high school students taking classes from college instructors, while in concurrent classes an approved high school teacher
leads the class. 

According to the report, students from all public schools in NWC’s service area participated in concurrent or dual enrollment, as well as students from local alternative, virtual, and private high schools and homeschool.

Of those students, 97% of concurrent enrolled students finished with a grade of C-minus or higher (compared to 94% for all community colleges), and 91% of students with dual enrolled credits finished with a grade of C-minus or higher (compared to 87% for all community colleges and UW). 

“Northwest needs to pat ourselves on the back,” said Shane Ogden, board member and Meeteetse Schools superintendent. “The ratio of kids completing courses is a much higher percentage than almost any other community college.”