Level Up Program Provides Wood County Students With Tuition-Free College Credit

PARKERSBURG, WV — Wood County Schools high school students are earning college credits and saving families thousands of dollars through the Level Up program, an initiative that allows eligible juniors and seniors to take dual-credit courses at no tuition cost.

Corine Full, dean of early college at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVU-P), presented an update on the Level Up and dual-credit program to the Wood County Schools Board of Education, highlighting its growth, available academic pathways and impact on students and families.

Level Up is a statewide pilot program designed to expand access to college-level coursework for high school juniors and seniors. Now in its final year of the four-year pilot, the program helps students begin working toward college degrees and career credentials while still in high school.

“Students need to take classes that lead toward something,” Full explained, noting that courses must align with an established academic or career pathway rather than being selected randomly.

Multiple Pathways and Flexible Learning Options

Wood County Schools offers Level Up pathways in business accounting, health science, education, social services, computer technology, and welding and manufacturing. These pathways help students select courses that align with their interests and future educational or career goals.

WVU-P uses several instructional models to make college coursework accessible to students throughout the county. Qualified high school teachers deliver college-level courses, while other high school teachers serve as facilitators who support students as WVU-P faculty provide course instruction. Students may also travel to the university to take classes in person or enroll in online courses.

The program operates in partnership with Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg South High School, Williamstown High School and the Caperton Center and technical education centers.

Course offerings vary by school to reflect student interest and available instructional resources. At Parkersburg High School, students can access courses in subjects including English, biology, history, mathematics, political science, psychology, sociology and Spanish. Williamstown students have access to a similar selection of courses, while offerings at the Caperton Center and technical education centers focus on career-oriented subjects such as computer technology, criminal justice, electrical studies, health care and nursing.

Full emphasized the importance of tailoring course offerings to each school so students have opportunities to pursue subjects relevant to their goals.

Growing Participation and Savings for Families

Participation in Level Up has increased since the program began in fall 2023.

During its first semester, 300 Wood County students participated, generating 441 course registrations and a total of 1,323 college credit hours. The state covered $66,150 in tuition costs, saving families that amount.

By fall 2026, the program had grown to 469 students earning a combined 2,182 credit hours. According to the figures presented to the board, the program saved Wood County families $109,100 in tuition during that semester alone.

Full said the absence of tuition costs can make a meaningful difference for students who might otherwise hesitate to enroll in college courses because of financial concerns.

She described instances in which students initially believed they could not participate because they did not want to ask their families to pay tuition. Learning that the courses were tuition-free changed their ability to participate.

Beyond the immediate financial savings, Full said early exposure to college-level coursework can help students build confidence in their academic abilities and recognize that higher education is attainable.

Students can explore different educational options, whether they plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree, technical training or a career-focused credential.

Improving Communication and Registration

Full also discussed efforts to improve coordination among WVU-P faculty and staff, high school counselors, teachers, administrators and students.

Last spring, the program introduced an online registration system to replace paper-based registration. The system allows students and counselors to monitor registration progress in real time, identify outstanding paperwork and review course rosters.

WVU-P continues to work with its software provider to improve the system and address the needs of participating schools.

Full said ongoing communication is essential to ensuring students receive the support they need and that any challenges with course delivery or registration can be addressed promptly.

Expanding Access to College Opportunities

Through Level Up, Wood County Schools and WVU-P are working to make college coursework more accessible while helping students explore future academic and career opportunities before graduating from high school.

Full’s presentation highlighted the program’s increasing participation, the variety of pathways available to students and the financial relief provided to families.

As the four-year pilot program enters its final year, the experience gained through Level Up demonstrates how partnerships between public schools and higher education institutions can create additional opportunities for students to earn college credit while completing their high school education.