Alexandria Area High School4300 Pioneer Rd SE, Alexandria, MN 56308

320-762-2142www.alexandria.k12.mn.us/aahs

Early CollegeA T A L E X A N D R I A A R E A H I G H S C H O O L

Alexandr ia Publ ic Schools

Earn College CreditsWhile AttendingAlexandria AreaHigh School

College & Career CenterThe mission of the College and Career Center atAlexandria Area High School is to assist studentswith all the facets of the high school educationalenvironment in three domains – academic,personal/social, and career development.The three are linked for well-roundedstudent success.

For more information, contact theCollege & Career Center at AAHS at320-762-2142 ext. 4510.

College-LevelExamination ProgramThe College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a College Board program that allowsstudents to earn college credit by demonstrating their mastery of college-levelmaterial in introductory subjects through CLEP testing.

Students successfully completing Alexandria Area High School coursework may wantto take a related CLEP exam for possible college credit. College credits are determinedby 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/started

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.

In taking AP and college level courses, I feel that I have beenbetter prepared to take high level courses in the future. APcourses have a rigorous curriculum that prepares you for collegeand teaches you to have good study habits. I feel that in takingAP classes like AP History that I was better taught how toproperly write a paper and that I was taught how to thinkcritically about a topic. Also, in taking AP classes you can takethe AP exam to get college credits; which in my experience cantransfer a lot easier than most other credits.

Christian Schlosser, AAHS SeniorEMTNR Academy

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Stay, Play, Learn & Earn

A Focus on Post-Secondary SuccessAlexandria Area High School (AAHS) is committed to offering an early college,comprehensive approach to post-secondary success. We have a variety of educationalopportunities in place to help your child be prepared for life after high school. Thisincludes many opportunities to earn college credit, all while staying enrolled atAlexandria Area High School and taking courses on the high school campus.

Stay, Play, Learn & EarnAlexandria Area High School offers more than 170 courses. Most of our students earncollege credits through our advanced course offerings. Our challenging, college-preparatory curriculum, supported by highly qualified and caring teachers, enablesstudents 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 start on their college and career preparation• Stretch themselves academically but stay connected to their school and peer group

Through a partnership with colleges students can take college-credit bearingcourses taught by college-approved high school teachers, during the regularschool day on the high school campus. There is no cost to the student toparticipate in these courses. Students who successfully complete concurrentenrollment courses generate both high school and transcribed college creditfrom the partnering college or university.

Concurrent Enrollment

AAHS Concurrent Enrollment Courses:High School Course Credits College CourseAP English Literature 1.25 LIT 120 Introduction to Literature 3 Credits SMSU

& Composition College Comp I .75 ENGL 1410 Composition I 3 Credits ATCCCollege Comp II .75 ENGL 1420 Composition II 3 Credits ATCCCollege Comp I (online) 1.0 ENGL 1410 Composition I 4 Credits CLCCollege Comp II (online) 1.0 ENGL 1411 Composition I 4 Credits CLCCollege Public Speaking .75 COMM 1415 Public Speaking 3 Credits ATCCCollege American Studies 2.75 ENGL 1410 Composition I 3 Credits ATCC HIST 1401 US History to 1877 3 Credits ATCC HIST 1402 US History, 1877 to present 3 Credits ATCC

LIT 100 Human Diversity 3 credits SMSUCollege Microeconomics .75 Economics 201 Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credits SMSUCollege Macroeconomics .75 Economics 202 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Credits SMSUCollege American Government .75 Political Science 120 American National Government 3 Credits SMSUCollege General Psychology .75 PSYC 1445 General Psychology 3 Credits ATCCCollege Algebra .75 Mathematics 110 College Algebra 3 Credits SMSUCollege Physics 1.0 Physics 120 Introductory Physics 3 Credits SMSU Physics 120L Introductory Physics Lab 1 Credit SMSUCollege French III 1.0 French 102 Beginning French II 4 Credits SCSUCollege French IV 1.0 French 201 Intermediate French I 4 Credits SCSUCollege Spanish III 1.0 Spanish 201 Intermediate Spanish I 4 Credits SMSUCollege Spanish IV 1.0 Spanish 202 Intermediate Spanish II 4 Credits SMSUNurse Assist/Home Health Aide .75 PNSG 1640 Nursing Asst/Home Health Aide 3 Credits ATCCCollege US Hist to 1865 (online) .75 HIST 1472 U.S. History to 1865 3 Credits CLCCollege US Hist Since 1865 (online) .75 HIST 1473 U.S. History Since 1865 3 Credits CLC

Benefits:• Earn college credit; save time and money• Flexibility in schedule• Classes and support offered on high school campus• 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 partners• Students gain college-level skills for greater success in college

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

Refer to page 7 of the course catalog for information about transferring college credits.• Students must meet eligibility guidelines for enrolling in concurrent courses – refer to

page 8 of the course catalog or check with a counselor to see if you qualify.

ATCC = Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeSMSU = Southwest MN State University, Marshall

SCSU = St. Cloud State UniversityCLC = Central Lakes College

I have loved taking college courses at AAHS because they allowedme to dip my toes into the college 'waters' and yet still have the fullhigh school experience and enjoy the gorgeous new campus. Collegenext year is much less daunting because of the experiences I havegained here- and saving money on tuition is never a bad thing!

Alexis Habberstad, AAHS SeniorHSHS Academy

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Advanced Placement

The PLTW Engineering Program offers several courses which give students anopportunity to learn about different engineering disciplines before beginningpost-secondary education or careers.

Benefits:• PLTW classes are nationally standardized project-based courses that prepare students

for college-level work.• A student assessment at the end of qualified courses can be used by colleges and

universities to determine if a student earns college credit or advanced standing.• Other benefits may include scholarships or admissions preference.

Other information:• The Project Lead The Way (PLTW) program at AAHS has been awarded site

certification by national Project Lead The Way.• Many colleges and universities across the nation are PLTW Affiliate Partners.• For more information visit:

https://www.pltw.org/our-partners/college-and-university-partners/minnesota

Project Lead the WayEngineering Program

For complete information, visit theCollege Board website at:https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse

*AP/College Credit for AP Studio Art is not based on a writtenexamination; instead, students submit a portfolio forevaluation at the end of the school year.

PLTW Courses at AAHS:Introduction to Engineering Design (gr. 10-12)Principles of Engineering (gr. 10-12)Computer Integrated Manufacturing (gr. 10-12)

AP Courses at AAHS:AP BiologyAP CalculusAP ChemistryAP English Literature & CompositionAP Human GeographyAP Music TheoryAP Studio Art AP StatisticsAP US History

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

Benefits:• Requires you 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)• To find out the AP policies of the colleges you’re interested in, go to:

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp

Other information:• Some classes have prerequisites.• AP exams are usually given in May; students pre-register in March.• Fee required for AP test; historically the state has paid a portion of that fee.• One college credit costs hundreds of dollars; each AP test is less than $100.• AP college credit varies by school – be sure to review AP credit policies from colleges

you are considering attending.

I chose to take my AP and college courses here at AAHS becauseof the class experience. Taking the courses at AAHS allowed meto have transition courses between high school and collegewhile still in the comfortable environment of AAHS.

- Sonja Thompson, AAHS SeniorBCE Academy

“ ” I personally like the AP and College classes better than theregular classes given at the High School. These classes aredifficult and frustrating, but at the same time they’reengaging and worthwhile. AP and College classes introducedme to a fast paced environment, that prepared me for collegelife. These classes generally have a smaller class size, thatallows for more one on one time with the teacher.

Clayton Luedeke, AAHS SeniorEMTNR Academy

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Alexandria Area High School has articulation agreements with the North DakotaState College of Science (NDSCS) and Alexandria Technical and CommunityCollege (ATCC). Articulated college credit is earned when a student enrolls in anapplicable program at the partner college. Articulated classes are taught by highschool teachers at the high school. There is no cost to the student.

Benefits:• Stay enrolled at AAHS and take your courses on your high school campus

Articulation Agreements

North Dakota State College of Science Articulated Course:Complete the following at AAHS Earn toward NDSCS Culinary Arts Program Culinary Arts I CULN 100 Culinary Fundamentals (3 credits)Culinary Arts IICardinal Café (Culinary Arts III)Portfolio

Runestone Partnership Tech Prep Articulated Courses(at Alexandria Technical & Community College):Students who earn a B or better in an ATCC articulated high school course will receive an ArticulatedCollege Credit Certificate (issued by ATCC) which is valid for 5 years. Student must present thiscertificate to ATCC upon enrollment in an applicable program in order to transfer the credit.

High School Course/Grades Eligible College CourseAccounting I / Grades 10-12 ACCT 1501 Accounting for Business 2 Credits ATCCAdvanced Microsoft Office Applications / Grades 10-12 ITEC 1430 Intro to Computers 3 Credits ATCCMicrosoft Office Applications / Grades 10-12 ITEC 1430 Intro to Computers 3 Credits ATCC

Developing relationships with business is critical to the success of the Centerfor Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS). The CAPS program immersesstudents in real-world experiences in professional settings. These authenticlearning experiences provide a competitive edge.

Our Programs CAPS Business & College Microeconomics provides an emphasis onmicroeconomics and entrepreneurial business concepts. Studentsspend the semester applying their acquired knowledge as theyengage with partner-driven projects, solving business problems andexperiencing the challenges of project-based work.

CAPS EMTNR offers students project-based study in an EMTNR careerpathway area. Students collaborate with community partners onprojects individually tailored to interests in engineering,manufacturing, architecture, agriculture, food and natural resources.

CAPS Healthcare offers students a project-based study in the area ofhealth applications. Students will participate in several fieldexperiences and a job shadow experience to explore various careeropportunities within the healthcare field.

CAPS Teacher Education offers students an opportunity to besurrounded by a variety of experiences including classroomobservations, internships, mentorships, networking, modeling, andpracticum.

Benefits:• Students work with a AAHS teacher and business professionals from the

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

time.• Students work side by side with industry experts 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 opportunity to intern with a localprofessional in a career of their choice. Career internships may includeproduct design or may be an extension of a CAPS project or experience.

Center for AdvancedProfessional Studies

I have always wanted to push myself when it comes toacademics. When I was enrolling for classes at AAHS, Iknew I wanted to take college and AP courses. Lookingback on my four years in high school, the benefits of theseclasses are endless. I received the experience and creditsI wanted for college while maintaining a normal highschool schedule. These courses also heightened mylearning. I was surrounded by people who had a similardrive to learn, and had amazing teachers at AAHS thatsupported me all the way.

– Allison Prestby, AAHS SeniorBCE Academy

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