2023-24 Early College @ Alexandria Area High School

I’m ver y thankful for the oppor tunities given by AAHS in its college credit options. Dual Enrollment and AP courses have not only given me a headstar t in college via credits, but also in skills and experience needed for a successful future. These classes pushed me far beyond my limits, however looking back I apprec ia te wha t those cla sses have taught me. They taught me study sk ills, how to take on a challenge, and how to communica te with teachers. I owe my teachers a huge thanks as they suppor ted and helped me succeed in these classes. Students who take college level classes at AAHS will be challenged, however they will take away more than just a grade

– Spenser Chinn, AAHS Senior EMTNR Academy

College & C areer Center

The mission of the College and Career Center at Alexandria Area High School is to assist students with all the facets of the high school educational environment in three domains – academic, personal/social, and college/career development. The three are linked for well-rounded student success.

For more information, contact the College & Career Center at AAHS at 320-762-2142 ext 4502

www.alexschools.org/aahs

Stay, Pl ay, Learn & Earn

A Focus on Post-Secondar y Success

Alexandria Area High School (AAHS) is committed to offering an early college, comprehensive approach to post-secondar y success. We have a variety of educational oppor tunities in place to help your child be prepared for life after high school. This includes many oppor tunities to earn college credit, all while staying enrolled at Alexandria Area High School and tak ing courses on the high school campus.

Stay, Play, Learn & Earn

Alexandria Area High School offers more than 170 courses. Most of our students earn college credits through our advanced course offerings. Our challenging, collegepreparator y curriculum, suppor ted by highly qualified and caring teachers, enables students to:

• Save money on college tuition, fees and books before they graduate from high school.

• Stay on the high school campus and receive college credit.

• Develop and grow within a safe and effective learning environment.

• Get a head star t on their college and career preparation.

• Stretch themselves academically but stay connected to their school and peer group.

Concurrent Enrollment

Through a par tnership with colleges students can take college - credit bearing courses taught by college -approved high school teachers, during the regular school day on the high school campus. There is no cost to the student to par ticipate in these courses. Students who successfully complete concurrent enrollment courses generate both high school and transcribed college credit from the par tnering college or university.

AAHS Concurrent

Being able to get a taste of an academically rigorous course in h gh school has been the main reason why I have taken AP and college classes. I know putting in the effor t now will prepare me for a challenging college experience later. I have always been taught to push myself and develop beneficia habits early. These upper-level classes have not only taught me new and advanced academic skills but have also shaped me into a better person. I would definitely recommend these higher-end classes to everyone as long as you’re willing to challenge yourself.

– Nicholas Levasseur, AAHS Senior HSHS Academy

1640 Nursing Asst/Home Health A de 3 ATCC

Sinfonia Orchestra 1.0 MUSC 1420 String Orchestra 2 CLC

Spanish 201 (College Spanish III) 1 0 S PA N 201 Intermediate Spanish I 4 SCSU

Spanish 202 (College Spanish IV) 1 0 S PA N 202 Intermediate Spanish II 4 SCSU

Wind Ensemble 1 0 MUSC 1408 Central Lakes Wind Symphony 2 CLC

Benefits:

• Classes and suppor t offered on high school campus.

ATCC = Alexandr a Technical & Community Co lege CLC = Central Lakes Co lege SCSU = St C oud State Univers ty SMSU = Southwest MN State Univers ty

• Same rigor and content as an on- campus college class.

• Credits are transcribed the same as if taken on college campus.

• High school teachers are credentialed through higher ed par tners.

• Students gain college-level skills for greater success in college.

O ther information:

• College credit will transfer according to incoming college/university transfer policies.

• Students must meet eligibility guidelines for enrolling in concurrent courses.

Advanced Pl acement

The Advanced Placement (AP) program provides an oppor tunity to take college -level courses in a high school setting. AP courses are taught by high school teachers who follow course guidelines developed and published by the College Board. Courses use college -level tex t books and teach students how to read and write at the college level. At the conclusion of an AP course, students have the oppor tunity to take the corresponding national AP exam in May. The College Board sets the national test dates for AP exams.

Benefits:

• Requires students to work at a high level of rigor; prepares you for the college experience.

• Exams are scored on a five-point scale; exams earning a three or higher are considered for college credits.

• Most colleges and universities nationwide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam scores.

• Adjusted grading scale to compensate for added rigor (encouraging students to challenge themselves with rigor with minimal GPA risk).

• Find out the AP credit policies for colleges of interest: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting- credit-placement/search-policies

O ther information:

• Some classes have prerequisites.

• AP exams are usually given in May ; students register for exams in the fall.

• Fee required for AP test; historically the state has paid a por tion of that fee.

• One college credit costs hundreds of dollars; each AP test is less than $100.

• AP college credit varies by school – review AP credit policies for any colleges of interest.

AP Courses at AAHS:

College-Level E xa mination Progra m

The College -Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a College Board program that allows students to earn college credit by demonstrating their master y of college -level material in introduc tor y subjec ts through CLEP testing.

Students successfully completing Alexandria Area High School coursework may want to take a related CLEP exam for possible college credit. College credits are determined by scores on the CLEP tests and individual college CLEP credit policies.

To see if your potential college accepts CLEP credit, visit: https://clep.collegeboard.org/school-polic y-search

Benefits:

• Receive credit for what you already know for a fraction of the cost of a college course.

• Students may reduce college costs in time and money by successfully completing CLEP tests for credits.

Taking college-level classes and AP courses in high school has positively impac ted my life. As a result, I ve grown academically and prepared myself for college while maintaining a traditional high school experience In addition, the classes have helped me develop personal skills that colleges value deeply, such as selfsuffic ienc y, time management, and c ritical think ing As I continue my college journey, I am confident I wil succeed in college and many other future endeavors.

– Amanda Bergerson, AAHS Senior EMTNR Academy

AP Biology

AP Calculus

AP Chemistr y

AP English Literature & Composition

AP Human Geography

AP Music Theor y (ever y other year)

AP Precalculus

AP Statistics

AP Studio Ar t AP US Histor y

AP World Histor y: Modern

*AP/College Credit for AP Studio Ar t is not based on a written examination; instead, students submit a por tfolio for evaluation at the end of the school year

For complete information, visit the College Board website at: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/what-is-ap

Alexandria A rea High S cho ol ha s allowed me to enhance my learning hrough college -level cla sses, without compromising my high scho ol xperience. I have gained skills through these classes that I know will benefit me in my future I am able to have strong connec tions with not only my ellow cla ssma tes, but also with my teachers tha t understand the mpor tance of a personalized high school experience Throughout my high chool career, I have taken many oppor tunities that AAHS offers regarding he college-level courses The dual- enrollment and AP classes have ser ved as a chance for me to be in classes with people also interested in growing deeper in our learning and preparing for higher education. The challenge, onnec tions, and grow th of AAHS’s Por trait of G radua te sk ills are some xceptional experiences that I deeply appreciate.

– Br ynn Kosters, AAHS Senior HSHS Academy

Taking college credit classes in high school has provided me with countless b enefits I t ha s given me the opp or tunit y to work toward fur thering my education while being able to do so in a high scho ol setting. These courses have also b een undeniably beneficial in helping me learn how to manage my time and balance my schedule effec tively while continuing to par ticipate in other oppor tunities available at the high school, such as working on editing projec ts, taking par t in ac tivities, and helping other students The college credits offered by AAHS allow me to simultaneously par tic ipa te in h gh scho ol and work toward the future

Madison Melby, AAHS Senior BCE Academy

Articul ation Agreements

Alexandria Area High School has ar ticulation agreements with the Nor th Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) and Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC ). Ar ticulated college credit is earned when a student enrolls in an applicable program at the par tner college. Ar ticulated classes are taught by high school teachers at the high school. There is no cost to the student.

Benefits:

• Stay enrolled at AAHS and take courses on campus.

Nor th Dakota State College of Science Ar ticulated Course:

Complete the following at AAHS Earn toward NDSCS Culinar y Ar ts Program

Culinar y Ar ts I CULN 100 Culinar y Fundamentals (3 credits)

Culinar y Ar ts II

Cardinal Café (Culinar y Ar ts III)

Runestone Par tnership Tech Prep Ar ticulated Courses (at Alexandria Technical & Community College):

Students who take this course in grades 10-12 (not 9) and earn a B or better in an ATCC ar ticulated high school course will receive an Ar ticulated College Credit Cer tificate (issued by ATCC ) which is valid for 5 years Student must present this cer tificate to ATCC upon enrollment in an applicable program in order to transfer the credit

High School Course College Course

Accounting I ACCT1501 Accounting for Business 2 Credits ATCC

Center for Advanced Professional Studies

Developing relationships with business is critical to the success of the Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS). The CAPS program immerses students in real-world experiences in professional settings. These authentic learning experiences provide a competitive edge.

Our Programs

CAPS Business & College Principles of Marketing provides an emphasis on Marketing business concepts. Students spend the semester applying their acquired k nowledge as they engage with par tner- driven projec ts, solving business problems and experiencing the challenges of projec t-based work .

CAPS EMTNR offers students projec t-based study in an EMTNR career pathway area. Students collaborate with community par tners on projec ts individually tailored to interests in engineering, manufac turing, architec ture, agriculture, food and natural resources.

CAPS Healthcare offers students a projec t-based study in the area of health applications. Students will par ticipate in several field experiences and a job shadow experience to explore various career oppor tunities within the healthcare field.

CAPS Teacher Education & College Introduc tion to Education & Lab

Having the opp or tunit y to take advanced and college classes has helped me not on y earn college credit while being able to stay and learn at AAHS, but also learn skills that will help me in college I had the chance to be pushed by tak ing more advanced courses while still receiving suppor t from high school teachers that understand and are passionate about teaching high school students. I took big steps towards my future by taking college classes in high school. It also means I will not have to pay for those credits in college. I am ex tremely thankful for the teachers that were able to assist me in fur thering my knowledge and teach me impor tant life lessons.

offers students an oppor tunity to be surrounded by a variety of experiences including classroom obser vations, internships, mentorships, network ing, modeling, and prac ticum.

Benefits:

• Students work with an AAHS teacher and business professionals from the par tnering company.

• Students earn high school credit and in some cases college credit at the same time.

• Students work side by side with industr y exper ts on authentic projects and tasks all while growing their professional skills.

• Students develop professional skills and expand their resume through internships.

Career Internship offers students the oppor tunity to intern with a local professional in a career of their choice. Career internships may include produc t design or may be an ex tension of a CAPS projec t or experience.

– Sam Faber, AAHS Senior BCE Academy