High School Programs

1. Whether your student decides to enroll as a Dual Credit, Early College High School or P-Tech while in high schools - All incoming students will be assigned to their designated High School Counselor and a PAC High School Program Liaison who will guide them through their time at PAC. It is important that your student communicates with their High School Counselor and the PAC High School Program Liaison to remain on their decided academic and career path.
2. Remind your student to check their PAC school email through ACES regularly. This is pivotal to their success! Professors will use the college student campus email to share updates, course requirements and deadlines.
3. Encourage your students to get into the habit of checking their professor’s syllabus to ensure that all deadlines are being met for their academic coursework. A syllabus is a document that a professor provides to students on or before the first day of class that outlines expectations and a roadmap for the course.
4. Students adjust to the academic rigors of college life differently. Remind them of the FREE academic support that is available to them in various subjects through the PAC Tutoring Services
5. Communication is key! Encourage your student to develop a rapport with their professors. Students should make use of professors scheduled office hours to discuss their interests (if it pertains to their subject) as well as concerns.
6. PAC Student Accessibility Services
7. Encourage your student to join a club and/or organization. Studies show that students who participate in campus activities persist and generally perform better academically. PAC has over 25 clubs and organizations available to students who want to get involved.
8. For Parents: Community Education and Continuing Education

Parent Consent Form
FERPA Form
Dual Credit / ECHS Residency Reclassification Questionnaire
Home School Parent Invoice Registration Form (Home School only)
Dual Credit Home School Online Payment Guide - FAQ (Home School Only)

Dual Credit Checklist 
Dual Credit Home School Checklist

There are deadlines associated with attending college. For example, submitting proof of the bacterial meningitis vaccination (if applicable), completing the TSI, SAT, or ACT to meet the test score requirements, the submission of turning in-class coursework, and adding/dropping classes, to name a few. Students must maintain an awareness of and adhere to all deadlines pertaining to them as college students. This will ensure they remain on track to begin the semester and throughout their time at PAC. Please regularly encourage them to check their PAC emails and the Palo Alto College Academic Calendar for these important dates. Students should also follow their professor's syllabi, as coursework deadlines and other important information will be listed on the syllabus for each course. 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords privacy to the education records of students who are enrolled or have attended a postsecondary institution. This law applies to all institutions that have received funds from programs under the U.S. Department of Education. Under FERPA, a parent’s access to their student’s education record is transferred to the student when they turn 18 or attend a postsecondary institution. 

PAC FERPA Consent Form

There are many differences between High School and College – from students’ responsibilities to their schedules. Here are a few that we hope will be helpful during this transition: