High School Registration Guide - White Bear Lake Area Schools

COLLEGE LEVEL COURSES:
White Bear Lake Area High School is proud to offer three
opportunities for students to participate in college level
coursework. Advanced Placement (AP) and College in the
Schools (CIS) include challenging coursework that has been
developed to provide high school students an opportunity
to take a college level class. Enrollment in these courses has
increased significantly from 513 students in 2005 to 887
students in 2011.
Certified in 2009-10, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses
offer students an introduction to the field of engineering,
incorporating a rigorous college level curriculum and
culminating in an end-of-course exam which may earn
university credit.
Students who take AP, CIS or PLTW courses benefit from
the rigorous coursework and generally achieve higher on
the ACT. In addition, college admission counselors look for
these courses when reviewing applications, as they are a good
indicator of college preparedness.
During the 2011-12 school year, 60% of seniors took a college
level course, while 32% took more than one course. Last year
the U of M reported that our students enrolled in CIS courses
saved more than $500,000 in college tuition.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP):
The CollegeBoard’s Advanced Placement Program is an
opportunity for students to pursue college-level courses while
in high school. Participating colleges grant credit and/or
advanced standing to students who have done well on the AP
exams. More than 90% of the colleges and universities in the
United States accept AP credits. A fee is charged by the testing
service for each subject in which an exam is taken.
Students who enroll in these classes should be prepared for
rigorous course work and/or have special interest and ability
related to the subject. Students should check with the college/
university they plan to attend to determine how they will
award college credit. The following AP courses are offered at
WBLAHS:
AP Physics
AP Chemistry
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics AB
AP Studio Art
AP Art History
ACADEMIC OPTIONS
AP Music Theory
AP Macroeconomics
AP Microeconomics
AP European History
AP U.S. Government & Politics
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature & Composition
Students who successfully complete an AP course and take the
AP exam receive additional weighting in GPA calculating.
COLLEGE IN THE SCHOOLS (CIS):
These are introductory-level college courses offered by the
University of Minnesota and WBLAHS for juniors and seniors.
Each course has specific criteria for admission and interested
students should confer with a counselor to determine eligibility.
Students earn .5 credit per semester at WBLAHS and, upon
request after graduation, a minimum of 3 credits at the
University of Minnesota. College tuition is paid for the student
through the Post Secondary Enrollment Options Act. CIS
courses being offered during the 2012–13 school year are:
eCIS: Writing Studio
eCIS: Mathematical Modeling and Predictions
CIS: Authority and Rebellion: American History to 1865
CIS: Global America: US History Since 1865
CIS: Introduction to Literature 1001
CIS: German 1003/1004
CIS: French 1003
CIS: French 1003/1004
CIS: Spanish 1003
CIS: Spanish 1003/1004
CIS courses receive additional weighting in GPA calculations.
PROJECT LEAD THE WAY (PLTW):
The Project Lead the Way program at White Bear Lake Area
High School has been awarded site certification by national
Project Lead the Way. Students who successfully complete
PLTW courses and pass the online end of course exam with a
score of at least 85% can obtain a transcript from the University
of Minnesota for 3 credits. Many colleges and universities in
Minnesota and nation-wide accept the credits. PLTW courses
offered during the 2012-13 school year are:
Introduction to Engineering Design
Principles of Engineering
Digital Electronics
Biotechnical Engineering
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Students who successfully complete a PLTW course and
take the PLTW exam receive additional weighting in GPA
calculating.
COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP):
CLEP is a national program of credit by examination that offers
students the opportunity to obtain recognition for college-level
achievement. No matter when, where or how you have learned,
by means of formal or informal study – you can take CLEP
tests. If the results are acceptable to your college, you will
receive credit.
Many colleges today encourage students to take CLEP tests
for credit in courses for which they already have mastered the
content. People of all ages have reduced college costs in time
and money by successfully completing CLEP tests for credit.
It is possible to receive up to one full year of college credit
through these tests.
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