Preparation for the Future

Lighthouse students build a strong academic foundation while developing the skills they need for college, careers and life. Beginning in 7^th grade and as students are ready, they can take high school and college-level courses, explore career interests and earn credits in different ways.

High school and college credit

Lighthouse students can take advanced classes when they are ready. They may take courses at Lighthouse, at Spring Lake Park High School or both. Many students choose a combination that matches their specific goals and interests.

Lighthouse and Spring Lake Park High School graduation requirements are the same. There are several ways to earn the required credits. (See course catalog.)

Taking classes at Spring Lake Park High School AND Lighthouse

Taking classes at Spring Lake Park High School AND Lighthouse

Beginning in grades 7 and 8, students who are ready may enroll at both Lighthouse and Spring Lake Park High School. Middle school students may take one high school class while continuing their learning at Lighthouse.

High school registration for the following school year begins early each calendar year. Lighthouse students and families receive information about registration, and the course catalog is available to explore at any time.

Students who take high school classes continue to meet Lighthouse expectations. Facilitators help students connect work completed in high school classes to their Lighthouse learning whenever possible.

Two Lighthouse students working together

Earn college credit

Spring Lake Park High School offers more than 50 courses that allow students to earn college credit while also meeting high school graduation requirements.

Two Lighthouse students on their iPads and laughing

Explore future careers

Career and College Pathways help students explore careers through courses connected to real industries. Each pathway represents a predicted need for future jobs. Students explore what they may like – or not like – to do in the future, build real-world skills and prepare for future opportunities.

Students can choose courses in one or more of these pathways:

Business and Entrepreneurship
Technology, Engineering and Design
Health and Human Services

Many pathways’ courses also offer college credit.

Earning credit for learning you've already done
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) – off campus

Earning credit for learning you've already done

Students may also earn high school credit for learning completed outside the classroom. This is called credit by assessment or credit by portfolio.

For example, students may have learned through programs such as Concordia Language Villages, Northwestern University's Gifted LearningLinks or other accredited schools and programs.

Students can show what they know in several ways, including:

Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams
Transcripts from accredited schools
Another approved demonstration of learning developed with their advisor and the Lighthouse coordinator

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) – off campus

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 (whichever is earlier), 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.

Each year, districts must publish their grade-weighting policy on their website, including a list of courses for which students can earn weighted grades.

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 8^th grade MCA. If 10th graders taking a CTE PSEO course earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional postsecondary courses. If the student did not take the MCA in 8^th-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.

A high schooler shaking hands with industry partners and smiling

Gaining Career, College and Life Ready Skills

Academic learning is important. Just as important are the skills and mindsets students will need to find success in college, careers and life. At Lighthouse, student work is designed to develop academic and life skills students will need in their future.

Life skills and mindsets

Learning experiences at Lighthouse focus on academic content and on developing and practicing these skills and mindsets:

Self-direction
Collaboration
Digital Literacy
Civic and Cultural Awareness
Communication
Critical Thinking
Creativity and Innovation

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