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Explore the Options

SoWashCo Schools provides a wide range of opportunities for high school students to to identify and explore new interests.

Academic Options and Support

Advanced Placement

Explanation

College-level course taught in high school
More rigorous coursework
Offered through College Board

Advantages

May earn college credit
Challenges students
Weighted grading

Considerations

Must take AP test and get a score of 3 or higher for possible college credit
Requires above average reading, writing, math skills

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

Explanation

Provides support for under-represented students to be college ready
Helps motivated students to improve academic performance
Assists students in developing academic skills suitable for college

Advantages

Students work towards college readiness
Structured support during the day via the AVID Elective class
Access to college visits and college student tutors

Considerations

Students must meet the AVID criteria.
Students must have a desire to be in AVID.
Students will experience a screening process.

Blended Learning

Explanation

Courses combine face-to-face instruction with digital learning experiences
Face-to-face expectations between 2-3 days per week and online engagement 2-3 days per week

Advantages

Designed for students who desire or require scheduling flexibility and who possess the self-discipline skills needed to be successful with unstructured time

Considerations

Open to all students for designated courses only
May require log-in times outside the parameters of the traditional school day

Career Internship

Explanation

School-to-work transition for juniors and seniors
Internships with local business
A minimum number of work hours will be required

Advantages

Hands-on training of career objectives
Grade/Credit received for time spent working

Considerations

Offered at ERHS and PHS
Aimed towards students with identified career goals and employable skills
Application required

Century College Articulation Program

Explanation

Business, FACS, Technology Ed. courses designed with Century College

Advantages

May earn college credit through Century College
Gain experience and knowledge for potential job/career

Considerations

Verify that credits will transfer to college of choice
Provide articulated credit certificate to accepting colleges during registration

CIS (College in the Schools)

Explanation

College curriculum (U of M)
More rigorous coursework
Taught in high school
Offered to juniors/seniors

Advantages

May earn college credit
Weighted grading
Experience pace, academic standards and personal responsibility required for success in college

Considerations

Recommended for academically-strong students
Must earn C or better for college credit
Available at ERHS and WHS

Concurrent Enrollment

Explanation

College curriculum (Mankato State)
More rigorous coursework
Taught in high school
Offered to juniors/seniors

Advantages

May earn college credit
Weighted grading
Experience pace, academic standards and personal responsibility required for success in college

Considerations

Recommended for academically-strong students
Must earn C or better for college credit
Available at PHS and WHS

CLEP (College Level Examination Proficiency)

EL (English Language Services)

Explanation

English Language development program
Using content to develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for non-English proficient or English Learners (ELs)

Advantages

Multilingualism is an asset
Interpreters and translation services for families' home language
Language-rich school learning environments
Bilingual SEALS opportunity

Considerations

To receive services, students must be evaluated to determine their eligibility and need
Students are evaluated based on the Home Language Questionnaire

Genesys Works

Explanation

Internship program
Provides pathways to career success for students through skills training, meaningful work experiences and impactful relationships

Advantages

Gain knowledge and skills required to achieve career success and a lifetime of economic self-sufficiency

Considerations

Contact the counseling office for more information
Visit genesysworks.com

Great Rivers Adult Education

Explanation

High School Diploma Service
Offered to students 17+ not enrolled in any other school
GED Programming
English Language Skills
Transitions support

Advantages

May earn high school diploma, GED, career and college preparation,
English Language Skills

Considerations

Independent learner
In-class attendance required
Pass/No Pass grading

Honors Mentor Connection

Explanation

Learning opportunity for highly motivated juniors and seniors
Students are prepared to work with mentor
Offered through NE Metro 916

Advantages

Student works with mentor in an academic or industrial environment for hands-on learning

Considerations

Recommended for highly motivated, academically strong students
Contact the counseling office for more information

Independent Study Projects

Explanation

Design a study project in an academic area of interest
Study topic is student’s responsibility

Advantages

Provides greater opportunities for highly motivated students to progress beyond the standard course offerings

Considerations

Recommended for highly motivated, academically strong students
Requires approval of supervising teacher

IB (International Baccalaureate)

Explanation

Recognized internationally
College-level courses, more rigorous coursework
May complete IB Diploma
Writing/application focus

Advantages

IB Diploma provides access to leading universities
Weighted grading
May earn college credit

Considerations

Offered at Park High School only
Must take IB test and get a score of 4 or higher for possible college credit

Northeast Metro Intermediate School District 916

Explanation

Offers courses for juniors and seniors to explore careers in business, health, public service, and technology

Advantages

Integrates academic learning with technical education
District provides transportation to program

Considerations

Application required
Get brochure from the counseling office

Northern Star Online Intermediate School District 287

Explanation

Collaborative of MN School districts providing online learning
Taught by licensed teachers trained to provide online instruction

Advantages

Approved by Minnesota Dept. of Education (MDE)
Provides same student-centered curriculum as on campus but is online

Considerations

Contact Counseling Office for more information
Visit www.northernstaronline.org

PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options)

Explanation

Lets students enroll at participating colleges with tuition, books, fees paid by state of Minnesota
Career and Technical Education Course for sophomores
Earn credit toward graduation

Advantages

Earn college credit at any college where PSEO coursework is taken
PSEO credits may transfer

Considerations

Must provide own transportation
Discuss option with your Counselor
PSEO grades are not weighted
Career and Technical Ed Course (may only enroll in one course)

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical and Engineering

Explanation

College-level course taught in high school
Requires above average reading, writing, math skills
Offered through Project Lead the Way

Advantages

May earn college credit
Challenges students
Weighted grading

Considerations

Must take Project Lead the Way test and get a score of 80% or higher for possible college credit
Offered at ERHS and WHS only

South Washington County Alternative High School

Explanation

Program for students who prefer a non-traditional high school setting
Open to students in grades 9-12
High school diploma earned from home high school

South Washington Alternative High School

Advantages

Small school environment
Academic instruction is divided into daily units
Small class sizes

Considerations

Must have parent, counselor, administration approval
Referral process for enrollment
Attendance is required

SoWashCo Online Courses

Explanation

SoWashCo Schools teachers provide online learning
Provides schedule flexibility

SoWashCo online

Advantages

Students remain fully connected to South Washington Country Schools
Face-to-face support is available, if needed
Students can enroll in as many online courses as they would like

Considerations

Register for SoWashCo Online courses through the general registration process

Special Education

Explanation

Specially designed instruction and services to meet students' needs
Students with hearing, vision, speech, physical, mobility, behavior or other learning disabilities may qualify

Advantages

Students who qualify will have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) developed that specifies their individual goals and accommodations/ modifications

Considerations

To receive services, students must be evaluated to determine their eligibility and need based on the criteria for having a disability as determined by the Minnesota Department of Education

Summer Options

Test Out of Course

Explanation

Gain credit on a performance-based assessment
Test represents content included in subject coursework

Advantages

Tests knowledge student already possesses
Successful test-out gives student more schedule options

Considerations

Must pass test with B or better
Cannot test out of a course currently enrolled in or previously taken
Apply through the counseling office

Zero Hour Program