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Model Program

Online College in the High School - Statewide

Online College in the High School offers college transfer, career and technical courses for qualified high school students. Students receive high school credit and college credit at the same time. Students do not have to travel to a campus, the colleges serves them online in the high school setting.  Participation in Online College in the High School (OCHS) has proven to be a very economical college option for school districts by capitalizing on a contracted cost per credit tuition rate and the economies that come from working with a large number of school districts. A cost per seat is calculated by dividing the cost of the course by the number of students enrolled. The higher the number of enrolled students in a course, the lower the cost per seat is to the district.

Special features include:
•  College and high school credit classes with students from high schools across Minnesota
•  Recorded high student achievement and positive feedback
•  Participating high schools provide students
•  Dedicated time and access to a networked computer
•  Support from a local proctor
•  Payment of the tuition
•  Purchase and provision of course required books
•  Advising resources in partnership with the colleges

High School Partners:

All Minnesota high schools are eligible.  Current participants are: Win-E-Mac High School, Waubun High School, Underwood High School, Tri County High School, Sebeka High School, Red Lake Falls-Lafayette High School, Red Lake County Central ISD2906, Osakis Jr-Sr High School, Ortonville High School, Norman County West High School, Norman County East High School, New York Mills High School, Nevis High School, Minnesota Transitions Charter Schools, Laporte High School, Lancaster High School, Hawley High School, Grygla High School, Greenbush-Middle River High School, Frazee High School, Fosston High School, Fertile-Beltrami High School, Edina High School, East Grand Forks Sr High, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley High School, Climax High School, Cedar Mountain High School, Brandon-Evansville High School, Bagley Jr-Sr High School, Badger High School, Ashby High School, Ada-Borup High School

Postsecondary Partners:

Alexandria Technical and Community College, Northland Community and Technical College, Normandale Community College, Northwest Technical College

Student Eligibility:

Students applying to OCHS must (1) have an adequate grade point average and class rank and (2) achieve college level assessment scores. Students must maintain an acceptable GPA to register for future term courses. Special approval is required for students who request to enroll in more than 3 courses per semester. High school principals or superintendents can request enrollment permission for students who do not meet the eligibility requirements; submission of supporting documentation is required.

Grade Point Average (GPA) and Class Rank:
The high school transcript for the student must list a cumulative GPA that is at or above the minimum level for the student high school grade level.
• Senior (12th grade): A student who will participate as a senior must have at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA, and be in the upper one-half of their class or score at or above the 50th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test.
• Junior (11th grade): A student who will participate as a junior must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, and be in the upper one-third of their class or score at or above the 70th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test.
• Sophomore (10th Grade): A student who will participate as a sophomore must have at least a 3.2 GPA, be in the upper 10% of the class, and be recommended by the High School Principal. Note: Eligible 10th grade students will be allowed to enroll in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) course provided they meet specific course requirements and pre-requisites.

College Level Assessment Scores:
The student must complete an ACCUPLACER or ACT assessment and achieve scores that are at or above the minimum level. High schools may contact the online support center to schedule free Accuplacer testing for students interested in OCHS.
• Minimum ACCUPLACER Scores: Reading Comprehension score of 78.
Note: Students enrolling into a math course or a course with a math pre-requisite must attain an Elementary Algebra score of at least 85, OR an Elementary Algebra score of at least 78 and a College Level Mathematics score of at least 50.
• Minimum ACT Scores: Reading sub score of 21.
Note: Students enrolling into a math course or a course with a math pre-requisite must attain a Math sub score of at least 22.
• Extenuating Circumstances: A student may retest once annually. When determining student admission, college administration will consider extraordinary circumstances upon the recommendation of the high school administration. Students are encouraged to complete free refresher materials that are available online.

Faculty Credentialing and/or Teacher Licensure Requirements which support this program:

All courses are taught by credentialed college faculty and high schools select designated proctors which may be counselors/faculty/paraprofessionals or principals to facilitate in the high school classrooms.

Type of Program:

•   Career & Technical Education (CTE)
•   Concurrent Enrollment
•   PSEO
•   Developmental/College Readiness

Grade Level(s) Served:

10th, 11th, 12th

For more information, visit the Online College in the High Schools website.

Postsecondary Contacts:


Judi Anderson | 320.762.4422
Teresa Theisen | 651.201.1302

High School Contacts:

Missy Berquist | 320.859.2192
Judy Schue | 218.796.5136 X26

Program Components:

• Online program
• Postsecondary credits can be earned through this program
• Classes taught by college personnel
• Instruction takes place in the high school
• Proctors facilitate at high schools

 
  • Copyright 2012
  • Minnesota Department of Education