High School Partners

Southwest Tech works with thirty partner school districts across its nine-county area. If you are a high school student thinking about college credit now, a parent trying to work out what it costs and what it counts for, or a counselor advising a caseload of students, start here.

Start where you are

High school students

You can earn Southwest Tech credit before you graduate, in a course you take at your own high school or on the Fennimore campus. Credits you earn count toward a certificate, technical diploma, or associate degree later.

Browse programs A to Z

Parents and families

College credit earned in high school is credit you are not paying tuition on later. The two ways it happens are set out below in plain language, including the grade a student needs and how long the credit stays good.

See what college costs and how aid works

Counselors and teachers

Advanced standing and transcripted credit both run on a written agreement between your high school and Southwest Tech. If your district does not have one for a course you teach, that conversation starts with a phone call.

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Two ways to earn Southwest Tech credit in high school

Southwest Tech awards articulated credit two different ways, and the difference matters: one of them counts as a Southwest Tech credit and one of them does not. This is drawn from the College's own Transfer Credits Procedure.

Advanced standing credits compared with transcripted credits at Southwest Tech
What you are comparing	Advanced standing credits	Transcripted credits
How it works	An agreement exists between the high school and Southwest Tech to award credits to students who complete the course in the high school.	An agreement exists between the high school and Southwest Tech to award credits for a course completed in the high school.
Grade you need	A grade of “B” (3.0) or better, plus the teacher’s recommendation.	The grade awarded by the high school instructor is what appears.
What lands on your record	A certificate is issued to the student and imaged to the Southwest Tech record. The advisor submits the advanced standing form to have credits awarded.	The course appears on the Southwest Tech transcript with the grade awarded by the high school instructor.
Does it count as a Southwest Tech credit?	No. Advanced standing credits are not Southwest Tech credits.	Yes. Transcripted credit is considered a Southwest Tech credit.
How long you have to use it	Up to 27 months after high school graduation.	It is on your transcript, so it stays with your record.
Does it transfer elsewhere?	May be accepted by other technical colleges offering the same or a similar course.	Travels as a Southwest Tech credit on a Southwest Tech transcript.

Credits may only be awarded for the course named in the agreement, or with the approval of the dean. To earn a Southwest Tech diploma, at least 25% of all credits and 25% of program-specific credits must be completed at Southwest Tech, so articulated credit shortens a program rather than replacing it. If a credit decision does not go the way a student expected, there is an appeal: a written request by email to the division dean within one week of the decision.

Starting dual enrollment coursework

New dual enrollment students start with an orientation before their first Southwest Tech course.

Dual Enrollment New Student Orientation, Day 1
Orientation
July 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.. Orientation session for high school students starting dual enrollment coursework at Southwest Tech.

See the full events calendar.

Programs that say so themselves

These Southwest Tech programs name high school students directly in their own program descriptions.

Driver Education
Community Education
The mission of driver education in Wisconsin high schools is to provide students with the skills to drive safely. Driver and safety education is based on the belief that this is a critical lifelong skill affecting the conservation and quality of human health and life. In order to accomplish its mission, driver and safety education programs focus on providing learning opportunities for the development of the skills, knowledge, and thought processes necessary to become a safe and efficient driver, and a responsible user of the Highway Transportation System (HTS).
CNC Setup Technician

Are you looking for a career that’s in high demand, pays well, and offers plenty of room to grow? Southwest Tech’s newly revamped CNC Setup Technician Program is your gateway to a successful future in manufacturing. Whether you’re a high school student planning your next step or an adult ready for a career change, this program is built to set you up for success. Financial Aid Available. This program is not currently eligible for financial aid; however, alternative funding options may be available. Contact an advisor today to explore your support options.

Talk to someone

Questions about an agreement with your district, whether a course already articulates, or what a student’s credits will count for are all answered by a person, not a form. Call the College and ask for the dual enrollment or K-12 partnerships contact.

Counselors bringing a group to campus can arrange a visit built around the programs their students are actually considering, rather than a general tour.