Can you transfer high school algebra to community college?

I'm trying to see if there's a way to get credit for my high school algebra classes at my local community college. Has anyone done this before, or know if it's even an option? I'd love to get a jump start on my credits!

Transferring high school credits to a college degree is usually not possible. Community colleges generally don't accept high school credits for college courses, even if they are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. This is because the curriculum and standards for high school and college courses, even advanced level ones, can vary significantly.

However, if you took a dual-enrollment course where you earned both high school and college credit, that college credit might be transferable. Dual-enrollment courses are offered in partnership with a college or university, and the credits you earn from completing these courses are often able to be transferred to other colleges, including community colleges. So, if your high school algebra was part of a dual-enrollment program with a community college, those credits could possibly be applied.

The most common way that high school students earn college credits is by taking AP or IB exams and earning a high enough score that colleges award them credit. This would not apply to a regular high school algebra course, however.

If you're looking to get a jumpstart on your credits at community college, one option might be to take a placement test. Some community colleges use these to place you into the appropriate level course, and if you test out of certain classes, you could save time (and tuition money) on those.

As always, each institution will have its own policies, so the best course of action is to contact the admissions or registrar's office at your local community college to discuss your specific situation and options.