College Credit Earning Programming (AP, CITS, PSEO)
Harbor City offers multiple opportunities for students to receive college credit while attending high school, through Advanced Placement (AP), College in the Schools (CITS) courses, and PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Options).
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP Courses offered at HCIS provide a more rigorous and comprehensive curriculum than standard courses. In May, students have the option to pay for and take an AP test to showcase their knowledge. A qualifying score may earn them college credit, recognized by colleges and universities like UMD, CSS, LSC, among many others.
Some of our AP offerings include:
For more info on the AP test, visit the College Board website.
College in the Schools (CITS)
CITS is an opportunity for students to take and earn college credit taught by HCIS teachers. These classes are taught directly through UMD or LSC. Students who take CITS courses are considered students at either LSC or UMD depending on the course, and have many of the privileges offered to full time students. To qualify, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a passing score on the Reading Accuplacer depending on the hosting college.
Some of our CITS offerings include:
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
PSEO allows 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade students to earn both high school and college credit by completing college level courses at participating institutions. Most courses are offered on college campuses, while some are available online.
Eligibility:
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- 11th and 12th Graders: Can enroll full- or part-time.
- 10th Graders: May take one Career and Technical Education (CTE) course if they score “meets” or “exceeds” on the 8th-grade MCA reading test or an equivalent assessment. A grade of C or higher allows them to take more courses.
Costs:
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- Tuition, books, and required course fees are covered.
- Students may incur costs for items they keep (e.g., equipment) or for unreturned textbooks.
Deadlines:
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- Schools must provide PSEO information to students in grades 8–11 by March 1.
- Students must notify their district of intent to enroll by May 30 each year.
Graduation Requirements:
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- PSEO courses must meet high school graduation requirements. Districts decide how credits apply to subject areas and standards. Disputes can be appealed to the Minnesota Commissioner of Education.
Access and Participation:
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- PSEO students retain access to high school activities, facilities, and resources (e.g., computers) during school hours.
- Postsecondary institutions must offer online course enrollment consistent with their policies.
- Districts must publish grade-weighting policies and list eligible weighted courses annually.
- For full program details, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s PSEO webpage.