The W Opens Dual Enrollment to East Columbus Homeschool Organization Students

Local Homeschool News: Mississippi

Homeschoolers in Columbus, Mississippi, can get a head start on college. Mississippi University for Women, known as The W, signed a memorandum of understanding with the East Columbus Homeschool Organization (ECHO) in late October (The Dispatch).

Under the agreement, ECHO students can take dual enrollment courses at The W starting in spring 2027. Classes will be offered online or on campus and include English composition, general biology, oral communication, U.S. history, geography, Spanish, and college algebra.

To qualify, students generally must be juniors or higher with at least a 3.0 GPA and a composite ACT score of at least 16. Younger students may be admitted with a 3.0 GPA and an ACT score of at least 30 or the SAT equivalent.

“One of The W’s priorities is to build partnerships that create opportunities for students, particularly those right here at home,” Interim President Scott Tollison said. ECHO founder Giovanna Smith said the partnership makes dual enrollment accessible for Columbus families “who previously faced barriers because of finances, distance or both.” ECHO Board President Rachelle Slade also signed the agreement.

For more on homeschooling in the state, see our Mississippi Homeschool Laws page.

Sources:

• Tyler Wheat/Mississippi University for Women, “Education: The W, ECHO partner to increase access college for homeschool students,” The Dispatch, October 29, 2026