GENERAL INFORMATION In the spirit of school to home partnership, and in keeping with the understanding that parents/guardians know their children best, we urge families to consider things such as student interest, social/co-curricular commitments, and balance when registering for classes. Parents/ guardians are also encouraged to ask questions, review resources, and aid their children in the selection of courses. All materials used for instruction are carefully considered by teams of teachers to meet the needs of each student. Deans and teachers can support students and families in the course selections and in the selections of alternative materials, if needed.
Registration Tips
1. It is helpful to map out a tentative four year plan of courses. You may use Naviance or the 4-Year Planning Grid to assist you in this process. 2. Think about your goals for after high school and your involvement in things besides academics. Discuss with parents/guardians the time commitments allocated for school, family and activities. 3. Review the variety of options offered in the Registration Guide. An overview of course offerings can be found at the front of the guide. Read the course descriptions of classes that interest you. 4. Think about the physical education and health requirements and decide how you will address them in high school. Will you take more than a “minimum” in this area? When will you take the classes?
Schedule Changes After the Registration Deadline Classes and staff allocations are based on registration numbers, so it is very important that students register correctly and accurately. By having students register correctly we are able to keep class sizes lower. Students are asked to communicate with their teachers and deans before registration to make sure all of their questions have been answered and they feel comfortable and confident in their course selections. After the registration window closes in February, 2022 we will ONLY make schedule changes for the following reasons: • The schedule contains a true error or does not have six classes scheduled (students are to come to Student Services at the beginning of the missing period during the first four days of school); • The schedule needs adjustment to accommodate PSEO, 916, or a work program; • The student has not met a prerequisite to take a course and must replace it; • A senior requires a change to meet graduation requirements; or • A junior or senior decides to be a Teaching Assistant (TA) and is on track to graduate.
Hybrid Course Information
Hybrid courses are available at both Irondale and Mounds View High Schools and are noted in the course descriptions. For a full list see page 65. In a hybrid course, 60% to 80% of the course is delivered online through web-based programs such as Moodle, Google Sites and other tools and 20% to 40% is through face-to-face instruction in a seminar. Seminars for hybrid classes will most often meet one to two times per week. Some seminars meet before school starts (zero hour), some after school (7th hour), and some are part of a student’s daily schedule. Students may take a hybrid course with a seminar held at either Mounds View High School or Irondale High School; however, students must provide their own transportation if taking a course at a school other than their home high school and/or if the course meets outside the school day.
NCAA Eligibility
Students hoping to participate in Division I or II athletics in college must plan carefully as they complete high school courses. NCAA Approved courses are noted in the Course Descriptions. Application for eligibility is made after the junior year of high school. ACT and SAT scores are also factored into final eligibility decisions. For complete details, see the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete brochure available at www.NCAA.org. For purposes of meeting core curriculum requirements, a “core course” is defined by the NCAA as a recognized academic course designed to prepare a student for college level work as opposed to a vocational or personal service course. Courses taught at a level below the high school’s regular academic instruction level (ie. remedial, special education or compensatory) shall not be considered as “core courses” regardless of course content.
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COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Minnesota State Community and Technical Colleges
Minnesota Two-year Community and Technical Colleges have an “Open Admissions Policy”. This means that if you have a high school diploma or a GED, you can enroll. No standardized tests are required, nor are your grades in high school taken into consideration. It is recommended that you take a well-rounded high school course load, similar to the High School Course Preparation Requirements listed below, if you plan to transfer to a four-year college later. Otherwise, select courses which provide you a range of experiences and prepare you for your chosen career field.
Minnesota State Universities
State universities generally will accept you if you can answer “yes” to at least one of these questions: Did you graduate in the top half of your high school class? Did you score 21 or higher on the ACT standardized test? Some universities may have slightly different admission requirements. If students do not meet the minimum admission requirement, they may be considered under special circumstances. All applicants are expected to have completed the High School Course Preparation Requirements that include: • 4 years English • 3 years Mathematics, including Intermediate Algebra, Advanced Algebra and Geometry • 3 years of Science, including Biology and Physical Science with labs • 3 years of Social Studies, including Geography and US History • 2 years of a single World Language • 1 year of specified electives (world culture, computer science, arts, music)
University of Minnesota
Admission to the University of Minnesota is competitive, since they receive more applicants than they can accommodate in the freshman class. Each application is carefully reviewed and decisions are based on an overall assessment of the primary and secondary factors listed below:
Primary Review Factors: • • • •
A strong college preparatory curriculum and successful completion of the high school course preparation requirements Grade point average (GPA) ACT or SAT scores University of Minnesota Minimum High School Course Requirements: click here
Secondary Review Factors:
• An especially challenging pattern of coursework, including AP or college coursework • Evidence of exceptional achievement, aptitude or personal accomplishment not reflected in your academic record or standardized test scores • A pattern of steady improvement in academic performance • Participation in extra-curricular college preparatory programs (e.g. Educational Opportunity Program, LEAD, MEP, PSEO, Summer Honors College, Talent Search, Upward Bound, etc.) • Evidence of exceptional talent or ability in artistic, scholarly, leadership or athletic performance • Demonstration that your enrollment would enhance the university’s diversity • Evidence of exceptional motivation, maturity or responsibility • Outstanding high school or community involvement • Work experience, paid or unpaid • Size of your graduating class • Evidence of having overcome social, economic or physical barriers to educational achievement • Extenuating circumstances • Letters of recommendation moundsviewschools.org/moundsview I 7
