College Credit Opportunities

• Registration Guide

Advanced Placement (AP) classes are nationally recognized college-level classes offered in the high school setting.  Students who complete the coursework can take an AP test which may award college credit(s). Students enrolled in AP courses should anticipate college-level workloads and expectations. It is strongly recommended that sophomores enroll in no more than two AP classes during 10th grade. Remember: Advanced Placement is a nationwide curriculum designed to prepare students for the AP exams; therefore course content cannot be altered.

The following AP classes are offered in ISD 728:

• AP Art History
• AP Biology
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Chemistry
• AP Computer Science
• AP English Language & Composition
• AP English Literature & Composition
• AP Human Geography
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Physics
• AP Statistics
• AP Studio Art
• AP U.S. Government/Politics
• AP U.S. History
• AP World History

AP course grades are “weighted”.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors may take technical and/or community college courses offered at the high school. These high school courses have been matched with similar courses at Minnesota technical and community colleges (for a full list of participating schools visit www.CTECreditMN.com.  

High school students meeting the college course requirements may earn college credit, as well as high school credit to apply toward graduation at no cost to high school students.  

ACC courses are not “weighted”.

ISD 728 has partnered with Pine Technical and Community College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, St. Cloud State University, and the University of Minnesota to offer the following rigorous college-level classes to juniors and seniors in the high school setting. Students earn college credits in conjunction with meeting high school graduation requirements. There is no student fee to enroll in these programs and, upon successful completion of these course(s), the student will earn college credits.

In addition, these courses are “weighted”.

Refer to the Course Description Guide for prerequisite(s) required to enroll in these courses.

Students enrolled in these courses begin their college transcript with the partnering college so please consider your enrollment options carefully.
 

Pine Technical College

• College Algebra
• College Intermediate Spanish I & II
• College Intro to Psychology
• College Intro to Sociology
• College Physics I
• College Pre-Calculus
• College Principles of Macroeconomics
   

St. Cloud State University (S2S)

• French 102 & 201
• German 102 & 201
• Spanish 201 & 202
• Introduction to Education
   

University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

• Human Physiology, Technology & Medical Devices
   

Chippewa Valley Technical College 

• Advanced Marketing/DECA 4

 

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10^th-, 11^th- and 12^th-grade students to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college nonsectarian courses at any eligible postsecondary institution in Minnesota. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. To assist the district in planning, a student must inform the district/charter school by May 30 (for fall term enrollment) or October 30 (for spring term enrollment) of their intent to enroll in postsecondary courses. The district/charter school must provide counseling services to students and their parents or guardian before the student enrolls in courses to ensure that the students and their parents or guardian are fully aware of the risks and possible consequences of enrolling in postsecondary courses.

Student Eligibility

Eleventh and 12^th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses.

Tenth-grade students are eligible to enroll in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) course if they receive a reading proficiency score of “meets” or “exceeds” on the 8^th grade MCA. If a 10^th-grade student did not take the MCA in 8^th grade, another reading assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution can be substituted. For students with disabilities, there is an alternative option to demonstrate reading proficiency. A 10^th-grade student who enrolls in one CTE course and earns at least a grade C in the first term of enrollment, may take additional postsecondary courses in the subsequent term, not limited to CTE. Access the list of postsecondary institutions offering approved CTE courses to 10^th grade students.

If the district/charter school determines a student is academically not on track to graduate, the student may continue to participate in PSEO on a term-by-term basis beyond their cohort graduation date.

Tuition & Fees

There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course; however, students may incur fees for equipment that becomes their property when the course or program is completed, textbooks that are not returned to the postsecondary institution according to their policies, or for tuition costs if they do not notify the district by May 30 or October 30 and the district does not waive the date requirement.

Funding is available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. For more information on these funds, access the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions.

Other Helpful Information for Public School Students

Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.

High schools are required to provide access to space and technology during the core school day -- if needed -- for a student to participate in PSEO, but may not require students to attend the high school during online PSEO courses or remain in the high school for a specific amount of time. Students are expected to follow safety guidelines and school policy for leaving and entering the school building.

PSEO students must provide the school with a copy of their grades in each PSEO course.

Districts must transcript high school credits earned through PSEO by a ratio prescribed in statute. Districts have the authority to decide which subject area and standards the PSEO course meets. If there is a dispute between the district and the student regarding the number of credits granted for a particular course, the student may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner. The commissioner's decision regarding the number of credits will be final. Grade weighting policies for PSEO courses vary by district/charter school.

Postsecondary institutions are required to allow PSEO students to enroll in online courses consistent with the institution’s policy regarding postsecondary student enrollment in online courses.

For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.