PSEO (Post Secondary Education Options). PSEO is a program that allows 10th, 11th and 12th grade students to earn college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college-level courses. This information is made available to all parents of students in grades 8, 9, 10, 11 according to state law 124D.09 Subd 7. Each post-secondary institution determines the admission requirements. Parents of pupils in 8th and 9th grade consider this information for planning purposes.

Mr. Ellingson, school guidance counselor, discusses PSEO with our students as they are preparing to register for classes for the 21-22 school year.

Who is eligible?

Students must meet PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified

by MN Statutes. Most PSEO courses are only open to high school students during their 11th and 12th grade year, with each participating college and university setting their own requirements for enrollment into PSEO courses and programs. 11th and 12th graders should contact Mr. Ellingson in regard to their interest in courses they are interested in taking.

Legislation allows eligible 10th-grade students to enroll initially in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) course through PSEO. If the student earns a “C” or higher grade in this first course, she/he is eligible to take additional CTE courses while in 10th grade. In order to be eligible, a 10th-grade student must have met the proficiency level of “meets or exceeds” on the 8th-grade MCA reading test. If the student did not take the MCA, another reading assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution can be substituted.

To enroll in a PSEO class Mr. Ellingson will be administering the Accuplacer exam later this spring at Hills Beaver Creek High School, to all eligible PSEO students who have not already qualified. A student must also notify the principal's office in writing by May 30th of his/her intent to enroll in any PSEO classes in either the fall or spring semester of the 19-20 school year. According to state law a student is bound by notifying or not notifying the district in writing by May 30th. If you have any questions, please contact the school for assistance as to whether or not PSEO is a good option for your child.

Students enrolled in the PSEO programs are still considered Hills-Beaver Creek Students. This is a change from the district’s past practice. All requirements for coursework in place by the college and HBC High School must be followed. During the 19-20 school year, these students will need to remain on campus, during their PSEO time. Students will be assigned to a Study Hall.

Please keep in mind once a child enrolls in a PSEO class, for that part of the day the student the classes that are taken are on the child’s transcript and count towards their academic Grade Point Average. Students must be mature enough to understand that the coursework has lasting impact on their education future.

Do not hesitate to contact Mr. Ellingson, d.ellingson@isd671.net or myself t.holthaus@isd671.net with further questions.

Here is link to PSEO resources from the Mn Department of Education: http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/fam/dual/pseo/