Dual enrollment can work for some, but I think you'd have to really look at a lot of variables. In our state, there were age and other restrictions to qualify for dual enrollment. Usually, too, dual enrollment only pertained to courses at state college/university or a cc. As others have mentioned, there can be drawbacks with courses at a cc, even at a state college/university. It really depends on where you live, the instructor, the course and expectations, the other students, etc.
Here's an alternative FREE suggestion - look at MOOCs instead. Your DD and others are probably much better off enrolling in some MOOCs with MIT or others than taking a dual enrollment at a CC or college/university. Again, there's a very wide range in quality in terms in MOOCs and instruction, however, MIT OpenCourseWare and EdX tend to be higher quality and more rigorous. First, they're free. You could pay for a certificate for $50-150+ or so. Second, they're often taught by professors in the field; sometimes you could get someone top rated in the field, possibly a Nobel winner. That's pretty difficult to get through dual enrollment. Third, there's a number of kids today who are taking MOOCs and gaining admission to top-ranked schools. Fourth, it shows self-motivation, self initiative, etc. Fifth, some MOOCs are self-paced. So your dd could take a MOOC at any time -- even sitting on the couch while doing it. Sixth, you can always test a MOOC out. If you don't like it, you can withdraw without any penalty and without any record or anyone knowing. That's NOT usually the case with a bricks-and-mortar cc or state college/university. Seventh, you can take a MOOC at home and oversee how your dd is or isn't handling a MOOC's workload. Eighth - but maybe quite significantly for a parent - with a MOOC you don't have to deal with a college's admin dept, their paperwork, etc. There are no age restrictions with a MOOC; your child could take one at any point.
Yes, a MOOC wouldn't go on an official transcript. BUT you could create a portfolio or transcript yourself and submit it to an admissions dept. And yes, you won't get the same level of writing with a MOOC as you would with a prestigious school. However, I'd argue that some of the writing MOOC courses aren't terribly different from one at a cc. Also, you could always find a tutor or some way to supplement a MOOC with a written project of some kind if you wanted.
I'd say that a MOOC is more of a halfway step. As I mentioned, some MOOCs are going to be way over your DD's head for perhaps foreseeable future. However, there are others that she's likely going to be able to do soon; take a look at canvas network, coursera, and a MOOC aggregator (class central is one). With so many MOOC providers, you're bound to find something. It can be a godsend for those looking for an intervening step between high school level work and college/university without having to give parents an ulcer and migraine in the process!
Yes, MOOCs are not the same as sitting in a physical classroom and interacting with other students -- but again, this is a FREE halfway measure or a possible alternative option. For some of us, MOOCs are the ONLY option available for a child who isn't quite ready to physically attend a college/university yet, but needs higher level work.
