The start of fall classes has most students attending “back-to-school” nights and adjusting their schedules from a summer flow to being school-ready, but for one of Belleville’s High School (BHS) Advanced Placement (AP) teachers, “back-to-school” activities began already as summer kicked off! To be even more prepared to meet the needs of her AP science students (and help them to be budget-conscience in this economy as they prepare for college and careers), Mrs. Smith went back-to-school this summer too! 

Smith attended UW-River Falls (UWRF) noting, “I received my master’s in Physics Education from UW-River Falls and periodically attend summer classes. In the summer of 2022, I was there for a course and over lunch with some of the physics professors I discovered they offered dual credit courses. I immediately set up a meeting with the head of the department and the dual credit program to get the ball rolling. In the process it was discovered that I would only need six grad credits in chemistry in order to offer dual credit chemistry.”

Over this last summer, she picked up those additional six credits that now allows both her AP Chemistry and AP Physics students the ability to earn up to 10 UW System credits at $100 apiece through dual enrollment between Belleville High School and UWRF. This is a savings of 66% off the tuition rate for college credit for high school students signing up for this dual credit program of study. Smith is excited to see her students enrolling in PHYS 121: Algebra-Based Physics I; CHEM 111/116: General Chemistry I w/ Lab; and CHEM 112/117: General Chemistry II w/Lab. 

Belleville High School was just named a 2022 Level 2 Pacesetter school by the Wisconsin Advanced Placement Advisory Council, which highlighted the academic success of its students. To achieve a Level 2 award, 20% or more of BHS students had to participate in at least one AP exam and 65% of those students earned a score of 3 or better. Principal Mike Lovenberg is excited about the success of both his students and the educators on his team making these opportunities available to Belleville students. Belleville is proud of this achievement.

Principal Lovenberg says, “I am thrilled to announce that Belleville High School has achieved a remarkable milestone on our educational journey. We have been recognized as an AP Pacesetter school, a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students, teachers, and staff. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our outstanding educators, who inspire and challenge our students every day. I want to thank our students, whose dedication to their studies and pursuit of excellence make us proud. Finally, I want to acknowledge the incredible support of our families and community, whose unwavering belief in our mission drives us forward. Together, as an AP Pacesetter school, we will continue to provide our students with the best possible education, empowering them to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.”

As Smith starts the fall in her science classrooms, she notes, “Beginning this school year any student who signs up for what was traditionally AP Chemistry or AP Physics will be eligible to earn college credits through UW River Falls, which can then be transferred to numerous colleges and schools to include UW Madison.” 

It’s trend-setting teachers like Meredith Smith who truly set the “pace” for their students to achieve. Having the foresight to look for opportunities in STEM that ready her students for advanced placement study, but also offer the ability to financially help them with college credits as they plan for their future, only exemplifies the caring attitude on which Belleville bases its educational programs — programs that make Belleville High School Principal Lovenberg proud of his team. As classes get rolling this fall, Belleville students are going to have the opportunity to push themselves just a little bit further in these college-level science courses through UWRF as a result of Smith’s hard work as a student herself this past summer!

— Marie Perry is the Communications Director for the School District of Belleville. She can be reached at perrym@belleville.k12.wi.us.