Advanced Placement Courses
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses provide students the opportunity to complete rigorous college level coursework in the high school. AP courses are for students with a successful academic record that have the time to commit to the additional work required by the class; we expect students to choose wisely. We offer AP courses in Physics, Environmental Science, Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB, United States History, United States Government and Politics, English Language and Composition, and English Literature and Composition. It is highly likely that students who pre-register for AP courses will have a summer reading assignment to be completed before fall classes begin. Enrolled students should check with the teacher prior to leaving on summer break. AP Courses require the student to complete extensive reading, writing and research in order to prepare the student for a national AP exam in May. The exam scores range from 1 to 5, with a 5 score being highly qualified. Most all colleges have a schedule of what is allowed to place out of based on a particular exam score. Many colleges provide credit for course work with an AP Exam score of a “3” or higher in correlating courses.
Students are expected to pay for their AP exams, which at this time is $99 per exam (subject to change). Students on the Free and Reduced Lunch program are exempt from exam fees. AP Exam costs are determined by The College Board and are subject to change. Exams are scheduled in the fall and take place in the spring. Dates are announced at the time of exam registration and students are expected to ensure they have no conflicts with the exam date. Freeman does not restrict access to AP courses or limit the number of AP courses in which a student enrolls.
College in the High School
This dual enrollment program allows students access to college coursework from two state universities, Eastern Washington University and Central Washington University, right in the classroom, without leaving the high school. Freeman has partnered with EWU and CWU to offer college courses taught in the high school by a university-approved high school teacher. The curricula and assessments for CiHS courses are provided by the college and are delivered by the approved high school teacher. Participation in CiHS is voluntary for those students choosing to enroll. Students must meet the college/university requirements and pre-requisites such as GPA minimums. Students that choose to enroll in a CiHS course are dually enrolled in both the high school and the university. Student outcomes in CiHS courses are assessed by the same standards used at the university with the opportunity to earn full college credit.
This option is useful for those students ready for college curriculum and rigor. It is a reasonable solution for those college-ready students that do not have transportation to a college campus. For students that would like to earn college credit and remain at the high school, CiHS is a great option.
Freeman High School made the decision to combine some CiHS enrolled students in some of the advanced placement classes in order to justify offering the class which might otherwise have too few numbers to offer. In a combined course option, only those students that have chosen to enroll in the CiHS program will receive the college credit. Students choosing the CiHS dual enrollment option should be mindful that the course grade will be posted to both the high school transcript and will create a college transcript as well.
Work Experience for Elective Credit
Students with paid employment are eligible to earn up to 2.0 credits during the entirety of their high school career. Students must complete a set number of hours (155 hours for Fall Semester; 205 hours for Spring Semester) to earn 0.5 credits per semester. Students may be eligible to request release from their daily schedule to accommodate work hours.
House Bill 1658(2023) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 392-410-316 allow the opportunity for high school students to earn elective credit for paid work, and WAC 392-121 - 139 guides apportionment for elective credit for paid work experience.
Equivalency credit for work experience aligns directly with two of the state's learning goals: "understand the importance of work and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities" and "think analytically, logically, and creatively, and to integrate technology literacy and fluency as well as different experiences and knowledge to form reasoning judgments and solve problems." Through work experience, students practice and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities aligned to multiple academic learning standards and leadership and employability skills which should contribute towards earning credit towards graduation. The purpose of a high school diploma is to declare that a student is ready for success in postsecondary education, gainful employment, and citizenship, and is equipped with the skills to be a lifelong learner (RCW 284 230.090) and work experience supports student success and should be valued and reflected as such.
See the school counselor for more information including required forms for placement.
Running Start
The Running Start program allows high school juniors and seniors to attend community college classes (100 level or above) for part or all of their schedule. Students must be of junior standing or above to be eligible for the program. Students earn college credit, which is converted and applied to their high school transcript. This program allows juniors and seniors the opportunity to test into college level coursework at Eastern Washington University, Spokane Community College or Spokane Falls Community College. All students interested in attending Running Start must adhere to the application deadlines as set by the colleges. All students attending Running Start have certain courses that must be taken in order to graduate high school. These courses are selected by high school staff and placed on the appropriate Course Equivalency Guide. Equivalent courses may not be substituted without the permission of the counselor and no equivalencies can be waived to fulfill graduation requirements.
Running Start enrollment may not exceed the 1.4 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) status unless paid for by the student. Running Start students are eligible for up to 21 college credits per quarter. Students must pay tuition for all credits taken over their allotted FTE credits per quarter. All textbooks and all course fees required by the college are the responsibility of the student.
See the school counselor for more details on Running Start.
NEWTech Skills Center
NEWTech is a regional career and technical education partnership serving juniors and seniors from our 11 consortium-member school districts. NEWTech originally opened as the Spokane Area Vocational Skills Center to provide access to comprehensive, industry-defined career and technical programs of study. Students apply to attend and participate in one of the 17 different programs offered. As a skill center, all programs provide students with leadership opportunities, industry-recognized certifications, and/or college credit.
Students should plan a year ahead to attend the Skills Center in order to have sufficient credits in science, fine arts and physical education ensuring the required credits to graduate. More information about this program is available online at: www.spokaneschools.org/NEWtech
Students must have transportation to and from the site at 4141 N. Regal in Spokane.
See the counselor for more details on NEWTech Skills Center.
Spokane Valley Tech
Spokane Valley Tech and STEM Academy students gain technical skills and experience in growing industries with a focus on career and college readiness. Spokane Valley Tech is a collaborative effort of Central Valley, East Valley, Freeman and West Valley School Districts and serves students in the Spokane Valley and greater Spokane region, including home schooled and private school students. Students can earn up to 3 CTE credits for each full-year course completed and learn valuable technical and professional skills that employers and colleges are demanding. Additionally, students who take courses through SVT gain experience through internships and worksite learning opportunities and often pursue and earn college credit.
Students should plan a year ahead to attend the Skills Center in order to have sufficient credits in science, fine arts and physical education ensuring the required credits to graduate. More information about this program is available online at: www.spokanevalleytech.org
Students must have transportation to and from the site at 115 S. University Rd. in Spokane Valley.
See the counselor for more details on Spokane Valley Tech.
Credit Retrieval
These courses provide students an opportunity to make up credit for a course that was previously failed. A student must have taken and failed the course before having access to credit retrieval coursework. These courses are not an alternative option for students wanting to avoid a required course or find an easier option. Credit retrieval coursework must be completed in addition to an assigned elective in order to maintain appropriate progress toward graduation. Should a student decide to retrieve online during the summer months, it may be done so through approved and accredited programs, the costs borne by the student/family (see the counselor for approved courses and summer school options).