College Credit Options
Denfeld and Duluth East High Schools provide exceptional learning opportunities, from college readiness to potentially earning college credit or professional accreditation in high school to preparing for a successful career.
Courses are free to participating students; partners include the University of Minnesota – Duluth, Lake Superior College, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, and others.
Qualifications vary, for more information:
• Course Catalogs
• Denfeld Guidance Office: 218-336-8830 ext. 1974
• Duluth East Guidance Office: 218-336-8845 ext. 2143
• ISD 709 Curriculum Department: 218-336-8713
How to Enroll in Denfeld, Duluth East
Advanced Placement (AP): Courses taught in the high schools, recognized nationally, college curriculum. Students develop higher level thinking skills, may receive college credit.
College in the Schools Program (CITS): Challenging, faster-paced, more in-depth than traditional courses. Allows students to earn college credit while attending high school. Students earn these credits in their high school classrooms and are taught and graded by their high school teacher.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Opportunity to receive college credit by earning qualifying scores on any of 34 exams.
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO): Students may earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through successful completion of college-level, nonsectarian courses at eligible participating post secondary institutions.
Articulated College Credit: Opportunity to receive college credit through an accredited technical college program and/or potentially receive professional certification.
ISD 709 Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program: Designed to help focus students into career/post-secondary pathways that fit their personality and academic interests.
• Today's CTE is for all students, integrated with academics in a rigorous and relevant curriculum.
• CTE courses are taught by some of the most highly qualified professionals in the region - over 80% come from industry first and then education. They bring real-world knowledge and connections to help students explore and succeed in the competitive job market. • Students work hands-on with the material and learn life skills. Our mission is to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow by providing them with work skills beyond individual content specialties.
• High school students can earn college credit in their area of interest, a great head start. • Courses may help students qualify for and earn accreditation/certification in their area of interest.
• Career Clubs provide experiences beyond the classroom and help students connect to their schools.
• The goal is to help students GET to work - that means high-paying careers, both regionally and globally.
Programs of study are offered in 6 broad Minnesota career fields with exposure to over 13 career clusters and pathways. Find the classes that will lead you into the career you want!
Aerospace Physics (Aviation)
Agriculture and Forestry
Automotive and Engines
Business, Marketing and Finance
Construction Technology
Educational Careers/Pathways2Teaching
Engineering and Design
Graphic Arts and Digital Design
Health Occupations
Hospitality and Tourism (Culinary Arts)
Learn More Online or contact your high school guidance counselor.
Earn College Credit through Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th-, 11th- and 12th-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 eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th graders are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis (see note below). Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. If a school district determines a pupil is not on track to graduate, she/he may continue to participate in PSEO on a term by term basis.
By March 1 of each year, or three weeks prior to the date a student registers for courses for the following school year (whichever is earlier), schools must provide PSEO information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families. To assist the district in planning, a student must inform the district by May 30 of each year of their intent to enroll in postsecondary courses during the following school year.
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 and the district does not waive this date requirement.
Funds are 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.
Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.
School districts must allow a PSEO student reasonable access to the high school building, computers and/or other technology resources during regular school hours to participate in PSEO courses, whether on-line or on campus.
Each year, districts must publish their grade-weighting policy on their website, including a list of courses for which students can earn weighted grades.
All courses taken through the PSEO program must meet graduation requirements. Districts must transcript credits earned in 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.
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.
Tenth-grade students may initially enroll in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) PSEO course if they receive a reading proficiency score of “meets” or “exceeds” on the 8th grade MCA. If 10th graders taking a CTE PSEO course earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional postsecondary courses. If the student did not take the MCA in 8th-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.