Dual Credit Policies
Enrollment
1. North Lakes Academy does not recommend any student enrolling in more than three dual credit courses during any single semester. Families who wish to enroll their student in more than two courses simultaneously must meet with Mrs. Saunders for guidance counseling and approval. Please email Delise Welsch at dwelsch@northlakesacademy to set an appointment.
2. Some courses have prerequisites set by the University of Minnesota or by the College Board. NLA does not have the right to waive these requirements, though teachers can make a case for enrollment based on their discretion. Only seniors may apply for a teacher-discretion waiver.
Earning College Credit
3.Enrollment in any Dual Credit course does not ensure the earning of college credit.
4. CIS courses award college credit based on the course grade. A grade of a D, although not satisfactory, is considered worthy of earning college credit. Grades will be recorded on the student's permanent UMN transcript.
5. AP courses award college credit based on the score of their AP exam. Some colleges award credit for a score of 3, others require scores of 4+. Check with the college or university you are interested in attending to verify their requirements.
6. Should a student decline to take the applicable AP exam–OR- should a passing grade not be earned on the AP test, no college credit will be awarded.
Grading & Weighting
7. Grading discrepancies in CIS courses will be referred to the appropriate UMN faculty for a final decision. Grading discrepancies in AP courses will be referred to NLA administration and the Dual Credit Coordinator for a final decision.
8. A grade of D or higher in any dual credit course is sufficient to earn high school credit at NLA.
9. All CIS and AP course grades are weighted, meaning the grade will appear "as-is" on a transcript, but will be weighted higher when calculating the student's GPA. For example, a student who earns a C- in CIS English Literature will have a C- on their NLA transcript, but the grade will appear as a B- when calculating the student's GPA. The grade will be a C- on their UMN transcript and will remain a C- when calculating the student's UMN GPA.
10. Any student who fails a CIS course will not be allowed to enroll in subsequent courses. There is an appeal process for this outlined in the UMN Student Handbook that will be issued to each student at the beginning of the term.
Cost to Families
11. There is no tuition for dual credit courses, however there are minimal associated costs for AP and CIS courses.
12. Families are responsible for all costs associated with the AP test. In 2014, each test was $89. Financial aid is available through the Minnesota Department of Education. Please contact Mrs. Peck for more information at [email protected]
13. Families are responsible for all transportation costs associated with dual credit courses (for example, CIS courses have one required fieldtrip each semester). Transportation will not exceed $30/student/trip. Families exhibiting financial hardship may fill-out a Financial Hardship Request form to receive financial aid from NLA. Please contact Mrs. Peck for more information at [email protected]
14. Families are strongly encouraged, although not required, to purchase student textbooks for these courses. Writing in a textbook is an excellent study skill for college success.
Dual Credit Policies
15. North Lakes Academy has adopted the University of Minnesota's grading, dropping and withdrawing policies in regard to both AP and CIS courses. More information can be found at http://www.cce.umn.edu/College-in-the-Schools/Student-and-Administrative-Resources/index.html
16. The courses listed NLA’s Dual Credit documents in no way guarantee the course will be offered. North Lakes Academy reserves the right to adjust course offerings in the best interest of families, students, staff and the school. Course offerings may be adjusted for any reason, including but not limited to low enrollment, scheduling conflicts, staffing issues and lack of CIS or College Board approval.
17. Families of students enrolled in dual credit courses are required to read through the following websites prior to signing the enrollment form:
http://www.nladualcredit.weebly.com (link available from NLA homepage)
http://www.cce.umn.edu/College-in-the-Schools/Student-and-Administrative-Resources/index.html (link available from NLA Dual Credit website)
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents (link available from NLA Dual Credit website)
1. North Lakes Academy does not recommend any student enrolling in more than three dual credit courses during any single semester. Families who wish to enroll their student in more than two courses simultaneously must meet with Mrs. Saunders for guidance counseling and approval. Please email Delise Welsch at dwelsch@northlakesacademy to set an appointment.
2. Some courses have prerequisites set by the University of Minnesota or by the College Board. NLA does not have the right to waive these requirements, though teachers can make a case for enrollment based on their discretion. Only seniors may apply for a teacher-discretion waiver.
Earning College Credit
3.Enrollment in any Dual Credit course does not ensure the earning of college credit.
4. CIS courses award college credit based on the course grade. A grade of a D, although not satisfactory, is considered worthy of earning college credit. Grades will be recorded on the student's permanent UMN transcript.
5. AP courses award college credit based on the score of their AP exam. Some colleges award credit for a score of 3, others require scores of 4+. Check with the college or university you are interested in attending to verify their requirements.
6. Should a student decline to take the applicable AP exam–OR- should a passing grade not be earned on the AP test, no college credit will be awarded.
Grading & Weighting
7. Grading discrepancies in CIS courses will be referred to the appropriate UMN faculty for a final decision. Grading discrepancies in AP courses will be referred to NLA administration and the Dual Credit Coordinator for a final decision.
8. A grade of D or higher in any dual credit course is sufficient to earn high school credit at NLA.
9. All CIS and AP course grades are weighted, meaning the grade will appear "as-is" on a transcript, but will be weighted higher when calculating the student's GPA. For example, a student who earns a C- in CIS English Literature will have a C- on their NLA transcript, but the grade will appear as a B- when calculating the student's GPA. The grade will be a C- on their UMN transcript and will remain a C- when calculating the student's UMN GPA.
10. Any student who fails a CIS course will not be allowed to enroll in subsequent courses. There is an appeal process for this outlined in the UMN Student Handbook that will be issued to each student at the beginning of the term.
Cost to Families
11. There is no tuition for dual credit courses, however there are minimal associated costs for AP and CIS courses.
12. Families are responsible for all costs associated with the AP test. In 2014, each test was $89. Financial aid is available through the Minnesota Department of Education. Please contact Mrs. Peck for more information at [email protected]
13. Families are responsible for all transportation costs associated with dual credit courses (for example, CIS courses have one required fieldtrip each semester). Transportation will not exceed $30/student/trip. Families exhibiting financial hardship may fill-out a Financial Hardship Request form to receive financial aid from NLA. Please contact Mrs. Peck for more information at [email protected]
14. Families are strongly encouraged, although not required, to purchase student textbooks for these courses. Writing in a textbook is an excellent study skill for college success.
Dual Credit Policies
15. North Lakes Academy has adopted the University of Minnesota's grading, dropping and withdrawing policies in regard to both AP and CIS courses. More information can be found at http://www.cce.umn.edu/College-in-the-Schools/Student-and-Administrative-Resources/index.html
16. The courses listed NLA’s Dual Credit documents in no way guarantee the course will be offered. North Lakes Academy reserves the right to adjust course offerings in the best interest of families, students, staff and the school. Course offerings may be adjusted for any reason, including but not limited to low enrollment, scheduling conflicts, staffing issues and lack of CIS or College Board approval.
17. Families of students enrolled in dual credit courses are required to read through the following websites prior to signing the enrollment form:
http://www.nladualcredit.weebly.com (link available from NLA homepage)
http://www.cce.umn.edu/College-in-the-Schools/Student-and-Administrative-Resources/index.html (link available from NLA Dual Credit website)
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents (link available from NLA Dual Credit website)