Fleming College

Tucked away on the first floor of St. Peter Catholic Secondary School, 20 Grade 12 students are in a hair styling/cosmetology lab practicing nail art on a Wednesday morning.

Within their cosmetology course, taught by St. Peter’s Andrena Finn, the class (all female students) is taking a dual credit course on manicures, led by Julie Bertrand, a faculty member with the Esthetician program at Fleming College.

Once a week Julie attends the class to teach students not only the techniques around giving a great manicure, but also the science involved with it.

Andrena says the course is more in-depth than a typical high school course, offering students insight into the anatomy of hands including the muscles and bones.

“It’s more intense and detailed. It’s a more thorough explanation for the students,” she said.

Julie added that she also delves into diseases of the skin and nails as well as decontamination practices.

It’s the first time the course has been taught at St. Peter and Julie said the shift to a dual credit course has been fairly easy.

“They have a nice facility here and all the girls have been great. Andrena prepared them well so it’s been a smooth transition.”

Many of the girls in the class aren’t necessarily planning to go on to take Esthetics but have enjoyed taking the course.

“I love it,” said student Jewel Pawlett. “I expected this but I learned a lot more than I thought I would. Overall I didn’t think I’d get a chance to experience (a course like this) in high school.”

Julie added that the course teaches valuable communication skills. Since Julie is only at St. Peter once a week, the students have to learn how to communicate with her outside of the classroom.

“It prepares them to be ready for college life.”

The dual credit course on manicures is taught at other high schools in the area and is offered through the PACE program (Peterborough Alternative Continuing Education).

Dual credit courses allow high school students to take a college-level course. If they continue into the associated college program, the student will receive credit for that course.

Here are some additional facts* about Fleming College’s dual credit courses:

– Offered at five school boards (Kawartha Pine Ridge, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic, Trillium Lakelands, Durham, and Durham Catholic);

– Offered at over 25 high schools across Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Durham;

– Over 25 different dual credit courses across academic schools are offered including courses in Culinary Arts, Welding, Carpentry, Math, Communications, Business, Environmental Studies, Drilling, Heavy Equipment, Art, Manicure, Fitness, Outdoor Leadership, Health and Safety, Plumbing, and OYAP Carpentry;

– Courses take place at Sutherland (including KTTC), Frost and Cobourg campuses as well as in secondary schools;

– More than 1,800 students at partner secondary schools are eligible for Fleming College dual credits in 2014-15;

– In summer 2014, Fleming offered a summer school dual credit in environmental studies at Curve Lake First Nation in partnership with Curve Lake First Nation and KPRDSB;

– Students and parents can contact the Guidance department to find out what dual credits are offered at their school.

*Thanks to William Howe, Manager, Dual Credit Operations for the facts on Fleming’s dual credit programs.