10/24/2026
Vienna Among 21 Schools Selected for Illinois Dual-Credit Initiative
Vienna High School is one of just twenty-one high schools across Illinois participating in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Dual Credit @ Illinois initiative.
The initiative gives high school students access to university-level courses from the University of Illinois, with the opportunity to earn university credit while still in high school. The twenty-one high schools participating stretch across the state, with Vienna representing the only participating school in Southernmost Illinois.
The 2026-27 school year marks the second year of the Dual Credit @ Illinois initiative and the first year of the University’s Learning Accelerator. Four courses are being offered through the initiative this year: ACES 102: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems, ASTR 150: Killer-Skies: Astro-Disaster, MACS 100: Introduction to Popular TV and Movies, and SPED 117: The Culture of Disability.
In Vienna, students and teachers are participating in the initiative as part of the school’s robust early college/university credit program. It is giving students exposure to various institutions and courses aligned with career directions and also allowing them to overcome some of the unknown surrounding post secondary goals.
“The dual credit agriculture classes available to students at Vienna provide a great opportunity to learn real world skills while getting ahead in college” shared Bryce Hettinger, Vienna junior.
“The agriculture dual credit classes here at VHS are unmatched. We have many opportunities to try new things and learn skills that we may not learn otherwise. Its giving all students here at VHS a look at agriculture as more than just a farm, but a whole new field of opportunity.” shared Curtner Bergmann, Vienna junior.
For participating teachers, the program also provides an opportunity to bring University of Illinois coursework directly into the high school classroom.
Mr. Jason West, Agriculture Instructor at Vienna who is teaching ACES 102 said, “I am incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to teach a dual credit Agricultural Science course through the University of Illinois to high school students here in Vienna. I believe agricultural education has the power to open doors, build confidence, and help students see possibilities for their future that they may not have considered before. My hope is that this class will not only provide students with valuable knowledge and the opportunity to earn college credit, but also inspire them to pursue their passions, explore new opportunities, and take the next step toward achieving their goals.”
“Vienna has been blessed to establish numerous great partnerships with our local community colleges, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and now being able to partner with the flagship University in our state speaks to the numerous opportunities students can access at Vienna. One aspect of our goal and mission is to make Vienna an opportunity central for students. It has been said that students can’t be what they can’t see. Being able to expense early college and university course work while in high school allows them to see it,” Vienna superintendent Dr. Joshua Stafford said.
Principal John Giffin said the program gives students an opportunity to challenge themselves academically while gaining experience that can help prepare them for college and university. “This gives our students the chance to step outside of the traditional high school classroom and experience what university-level learning looks like," Giffin said.
According to the University of Illinois, the initiative was designed to provide access to university credit and introduce high school students to academic and career pathways they may not have previously considered. Participating students also have access to the university’s library system, one of the best in the nation, and opportunities to connect with the Illinois campus. For more information you can visit https://publish.illinois.edu/dualcredit/.
