In today's global economy, students must be well-prepared for the demands of college and the workplace. Marshall County Central Schools provide support to assist students as they transition from middle school to high school and into an increasingly wide array of postsecondary options.

Our high school participates in the University of Minnesota Ramp Up to Readiness Program with students in grades 7-12 to present options and choices available to students as they plan for their future education and career options.

For questions on any of these resources please contact:
Kari Anderson, School Counselor
(218) 874-7225 x 107
kanderson@mccfreeze.org

Marshall County Central Schools partners with Northland Community and Technical College, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Southwest State University, Minnesota College in the Schools Program, and Infinity Online to offer college credit courses to our high school students here. Students who successfully complete these courses generate both high school and college credit from the partnering postsecondary institution.

There is no cost to the student to participate in these courses, but there are entrance requirements. These courses provide high school students advanced skills today and greater flexibility when they enter the university setting full-time. That may include pursuing second majors and internships or studying abroad.

Concurrent Courses include:

• College Algebra

• College Pre-Calculus

• Anatomy and Physiology

• College Writing

• College History

• Many course options from Minnesota: College in the Schools

• Many course options from Infinity Online

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, 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.MCC PSEO students may use our school building and technology resources from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on regularly scheduled school days.

Each year, districts must publish their grade-weighting policy on their website, including a list of courses for which students can earn weighted grades. MCC Grade Weighting Information is found in our handbook on page 10. The following classes will carry an extra "honor point" which will be used in determining GPA: Advanced Algebra II, British Literature, Advanced English 10, Advanced Biology, Physics, CIS Anatomy and Physiology I, CIS Anatomy and Physiology II, CIS College Writing, CIS Chemistry, CIS College Algebra, and CIS Precalculus. Core subjects (English, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics), field specific, and elective college classes taken online or via PSEO will not be weighted unless they are equivalent to MCC’s CIS offerings. The high school principal and high school counselor will make that determination notifying the student at the beginning of the grading period.  Students must earn a "C" in order to receive honor point credit. (Grades with D or F would not get honor points, the extra 1.0 credit towards their GPA). Both weighted and unweighted class rank are noted on transcripts and submitted for scholarship and college applications. The school district will use weighted Class Rank to determine the winner of Maynard Hjelle Scholarship.

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 CTE PSEO 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.

For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.

There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course. Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school. Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses.

Three weeks prior to fall registration or by March 1 (whichever comes first), schools must provide PSEO information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families. To assist the district in planning, students must notify their school by May 30 if they want to participate in PSEO for the following school year.

For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage or visit with our school counselor.

There is an Alternative Eligibility Options Policy for 10th-Grade students with a disability who wish to participate in Career and Technical Education Classes through Postsecondary Options. For information on this alternative please see: Alternate Eligibility Options Policy.

Marshall County Central Requirements:

• Students must visit with the high school counselor sharing their interest in PSEO in the spring of the year (May 30 deadline).

• Students must meet all MCC graduation requirements. The student and counselor or principal will meet to determine remaining courses needed and number of credits needed to meet graduation requirements.

• PSEO students must maintain full-time enrollment status. Students who are dual-enrolled (receiving both high school/college credit) must maintain the equivalent of 3.5 high school credits per semester. For students who intend to enroll full time at the college, full time equivalence is a minimum of 14 college credits per semester. (See PSEO Agreement for credit charts).

• Student must keep the high school office informed about progress. Students must bring reports of progress to the high school principal at the end of quarter 1 and quarter 3 for the high school. They must also submit their final semester grades/transcripts from the college to the high school principal.

• Seniors are required to submit quarter 1, quarter 3, and May 1 grade reports in order to show adequate progress towards graduation to be included in the graduation program. Seniors must also submit an official transcript or verify course completion and final grades prior to graduation in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.

MCC Schools Post-Secondary Enrollment Option Agreement