The Virtual Instruction Program or VIP provides live instruction from one central location to all 11 high schools in the Calcasieu Parish School District.
In addition to regular high school course offerings, the program allows 10th-12th grade students the opportunity to enroll in courses through SOWELA Technical Community College, earning college credits while remaining on their own high school campus.
VIP provides a diverse menu of dual enrollment courses, covering topics in
For a list of course descriptions, visit the Calcasieu Parish School Board VIP website.
Transfer Credits: Students can transfer VIP dual enrollment course credits to public Louisiana colleges and universities due to SOWELA’s SACSCOC accreditation.
Earn an Associate Degree or Certificate: Students have the potential to finish with both a High School Diploma and an Associate of General Studies (AGS) degree. That's an $8,528 savings!* This degree can lead to a career as an executive assistant, general manager, bookkeeper, program manager within non-profits, customer service representative, among other roles. With an AGS degree and a concentration in Criminal Justice, a student could enter the Criminal Justice field at 18 and retire with pension at 38 years old. It also prepares students for a variety of fields as a transfer option into four-year degrees.
With the Certificate of General Studies (CGS) option, students can earn 30 credit hours and transfer courses to a public Louisiana college or university, helping them fast track their college degree.
Boost GPA: VIP dual enrollment courses are on a 5-point scale.
Convenience: Students remain on their high school campus while enrolled in college courses. Live-streaming instruction creates an environment where students can speak directly with their instructor and classmates.
Competitive Edge: Students distinguish themselves from fellow classmates on scholarship applications and when applying in the job market.
VIP Dual Enrollment students have priority consideration for SOWELA scholarships should they choose to continue their education at the College.
As the #1 community college in Louisiana, SOWELA offers 30+ credit programs and short-term training certifications for in-demand, high-wage fields, such as Nursing (RN), Surgical Technology, Cybersecurity, Paralegal Studies, Culinary Arts, Digital Arts and Communication and more. This quick-to-degree option provides individuals with the ability to earn a credential and quickly enter the workforce, saving both time and money.
*Based on SOWELA's 2024-2025 tuition.
Overall eligibility requirements include:
Additional eligibility requirements may be needed depending on the VIP Dual Enrollment course your student wants to take. For a more detailed breakdown, contact your high school’s counselor.
Calcasieu Parish public high school students can contact their local school’s counselor, or the VIP staff posted on the school board’s website.
