The Quest for Academic Success

Viking Academy is announced

The+Quest+for+Academic+Success

Hope Nguyen, Staff Reporter

Applause encompassed the Flour Bluff High School (FBHS) Teaching Theater as our hornet mascots Buzzy and Buzzette joined hands with Del Mar College’s Valdar the Viking in celebration of their new partnership program.

“Watch out for this,” said Del Mar College (DMC) president and chief executive officer Mark Escamilla, Ph.D. “The Flour Bluff High School Viking Academy is a new, more elaborate approach with a real college experience built into it that we hope to replicate at other high schools.”

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Given an opportunity to excel, these students can and will do it.

— James Crenshaw

Starting in fall 2020, students will have the opportunity to take up to 42 core credit hours — earning their high school diploma while simultaneously graduating with an associate’s degree.

Ninth and tenth grade students will continue their instruction at Flour Bluff High School while  junior- and senior-level students who meet the FBHS and DMC requirements will be given transportation to the Del Mar College East Campus to attend their core courses. Once the construction of the Del Mar College Southside Campus, a 7 minute driving distance, is completed, the students will be transported to this location to receive instruction.

Tuition costs $99 per three-hour course or $33 per credit hour, the same as Del Mar dual credit students. The school will also cover the costs of transportation, as well as provide scholarships to those with an economic need. The schools will ensure that the program will be open to all students, regardless of financial status.

Our counselors are working with the Del Mar staff members to determine the perfect candidates to begin their voyages at the FBHS Viking Academy. Up to 200 freshman are being selected to attend. 

“A personalized graduation plan will be developed for each student to ensure their successful and on-time completion of high school,” expounds Flour Bluff High School principal and Del Mar College graduate James Crenshaw.

Designed for students to keep their hornet identity, the program allows students to receive another layer of support while enriching their school experience. These students, whether they call themselves hornets or vikings, will be prepared to continue their education or career path of choice.

Mr. Crenshaw describes the partnership as a dream. “Given an opportunity to excel, these students can and will do it.”