Pocahontas County students of all ages can take advantage of college level classes thanks to a new collaborative effort between High Rocks for Girls and New River Community and Technical College.

Entry level English and math courses will be taught at High Rocks and in Marlinton on Tuesday and Thursday nights, respectively. While the courses are not for credit, they will provide foundations for 100 level courses.

According to High Rocks Executive Director Sarah Kinderman Riley, the classes also help students segue from high school to college.

"Anything you can do to reduce the stress of making that transition" is a plus, Riley said. Further, she said, the transition can be made from being passive to being active in learning.

The courses will help students test out of developmental classes, as well, she continued.

High Rocks tested the courses with a small group of students last summer. Of the students who were preparing to go to college last fall, three of them have made successful transitions into Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, Berea College in Kentucky, and at West Virginia Wesleyan in Buckhannon.

Riley said Maribeth Saleem-Tanner will teach English at High Rocks on Tuesdays from 5:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m. The class will review grammar skills and sentence structure, promote organizing a writing project and prepare students for writing college-level papers.

Math 99 will be taught by Erica Marks in Marlinton on Thursdays from 5:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m. at the Snowshoe Career Center. High Rocks assistant executive director Amy Cole said the class will be a thorough review of Algebra, helping boost ACT scores, and will improve overall math skills, as well as chances for success in college.

While High Rocks has traditionally been exclusively for teenage girls, these courses are open to boys and adults.

Classes cost $360, the same tuition as New River Community and Technical college. High school juniors and seniors are offered a special rate.

Courses begin March 15. To register for one or both classes, call High Rocks at 304-653-4891 to speak with Riley or the Snowshoe Career Center at 304-799-2509. Alicia Tallman can help you there.

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