For Addie Olson, her high school years at Seneca High School were about more than just earning good grades and excelling in sports. They were about laying the groundwork for the future, and a major part of that was taking full advantage of Seneca’s dual credit program—an opportunity that helped her finish her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Illinois in just three and a half years.

Dual credit courses, taught by teachers like JR Welsh and others, gave Addie an academic head start, allowing her to skip many general education classes and dive straight into what she was passionate about. “I entered college with more than 20 credit hours,” she says, “which meant I could focus on the subjects I loved and even add a minor.” One piece to the dual credit puzzle that is a particular Seneca strength is that, compared to most districts who offer Dual Credit College credits, all of Seneca High School’s college credits through IVCC and JJC are taught by Seneca High School faculty members.

 

Those staff members took advanced coursework in their academic discipline to give back to the student body with college courses taught exclusively by Seneca High School faculty, not adjunct professors.”

JR Welsh, who has been teaching U.S. History and American Government at Seneca for seven years, is a passionate advocate for the dual credit program he helped build. His U.S. History and American Government courses not only prepare students for college but also equip them with the skills to analyze, discuss, and understand the world around them. “It’s not just about facts and dates—it’s about understanding our world and finding our place in it,” JR explains.

Addie’s academic journey was directly influenced by JR’s approach to teaching, where students are encouraged to form their own perspectives while learning the importance of respectful debate.

 

“Seneca taught me to understand multiple sides of an issue,” she says, “and that was a big help when I got to college, where I had to navigate bigger classrooms and more complex ideas.”

JR sees the dual credit program as a powerful tool for giving students a real academic advantage, allowing them to earn transferable college credits while still in high school. “It’s more practical than AP courses because students are guaranteed credit as long as they perform well in the class,” he says. This method, he believes, is particularly valuable in ensuring that students like Addie are better prepared for the demands of higher education.

But the dual credit program isn’t just about academics—it’s about preparing students for life beyond Seneca High School. Addie credits the tight-knit community and the values instilled at Seneca with helping her navigate the challenges of leaving home and adjusting to life at a massive university. “Seneca was small, and you knew everyone,” she says. “At the University of Illinois, it was easy to feel lost. But what I learned at Seneca—the importance of community and hard work—stayed with me.”

Both Addie and JR see "The Seneca Way" as central to their experience. To JR, it’s about a culture of respect, opportunity, and excellence that pushes students to do their best and embrace the value of hard work. For Addie, it’s about the close relationships and the sense of belonging. “It was a place where you felt seen, where teachers cared about you as a person,” she reflects.

As Addie prepares to take the next step—applying to genetic counseling master’s programs—she can look back on her time at Seneca with gratitude, knowing that the dual credit program helped her take the first steps toward a promising future. “I’m ready for whatever comes next,” she says. “And I wouldn’t have been ready without Seneca.”

For JR, the greatest reward comes when his former students, like Addie, find success in the world. “The best part of my job is seeing former students achieve what they set out to do,” he says. "Knowing I played a small part in that makes it all worthwhile.”

Together, their stories highlight how Seneca High School’s dual credit program, rooted in "The Seneca Way," helps students grow academically, personally, and professionally—preparing them not just for college, but for life.