November 17, 2025
Media advisory: Signing ceremony for high school students to take SIU classes
CARBONDALE, Ill. – This week, Southern Illinois University Carbondale will launch the Saluki Start Dual Enrollment Program, offering students in 26 area high schools the opportunity to earn college credit tuition-free.
SIU Chancellor Austin Lane will host a signing ceremony with the partner schools from 3-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19. SIU officials will gather in the Anthony Hall balcony room while leaders from partner schools will participate virtually. Reporters, photographers and news crews are invited to cover the ceremony in person at Anthony Hall or via Teams (contact Director of Communications Kim Rendfeld for the link).
High school students can take SIU classes, starting in the spring 2026 semester. To participate, high school students are recommended by their high school. They must have completed two years of high school, have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have demonstrated an aptitude and readiness for college-level coursework.
Partner high schools in Southern Illinois are:
- Anna-Jonesboro Community High School
- Benton Consolidated High School
- Carbondale Community High School
- Carterville High School
- Chester High School
- Cobden Unit School District 17
- Coulterville Unit School District
- Du Quoin High School
- Frankfort Community High School
- Goreville CUSD 1
- Harrisburg CUSD 3
- Eldorado High School
- Hardin County High School
- Johnston City High School
- Meridian High School
- Murphysboro High School
- Nashville Community High School
- Pinckneyville Community High School
- Sesser-Valier High School
- Shawnee Junior-Senior High School
- Sparta High School
- Steeleville High School
- Red Bud High School
- Vienna High School
- Webber High School
- Woodlawn High School