College in the Schools (CITS)

College Credit through the University of Minnesota Duluth at Grand Rapids High School

Grand Rapids High School

College in the Schools (CITS) College Credit Pathway

CITS Courses are run in partnership with the University of Minnesota Duluth

CITS Pathway

UMD credit offered at GRHS

College in the Schools is a concurrent enrollment program in conjunction with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Concurrent enrollment allows students to earn both college and high school credit in a course. The courses are University of Minnesota Regents approved courses taught by Grand Rapids High School teachers approved as UMD adjunct professors. Grades and credits are recorded on a permanent, official UMD transcript. Students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to register with UMD and have the opportunity to earn College Credit through high school courses.

$29,027 in tuition savings alone by taking CITS at GRHS *

Benefit of taking College in the Schools

The College in the Schools (CITS) program through UMD offers college level curriculum in the high school setting. Students are able to select a challenging balance of courses offered at GRHS. Students have the ability to explore the depths of interests, develop skills necessary to be successful at the college level and earn University of Minnesota Duluth credit while taking classes in high school.

UMD provides the student with:

Undergraduate status, with all the privileges of on-campus students
Access to computing services, including e-mail, internet access, and e-portfolio
Photo identification card, the “U Card”, which provides access to UMD services and discounts to events
Full access to the UMD Library, including electronic resources, online databases, reference librarian assistance, and interlibrary loan
Campus visits
Transcripted college credits upon completion of the course
Assistance in gaining recognition, if needed, for CITS credits at other post-secondary institutions

Juniors and Seniors must have a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for CITS

More information is available at UMD CITS

International Baccalaureate and CITS

Another benefit of the College in the Schools opportunity at Grand Rapids High School, is the partnership between the CITS coursework and the International Baccalaureate program. Not only do students taking IB/CITS courses get the benefit of UMD credit but students also challenge themselves with the most rigorous college preparatory curriculum offered at GRHS through the IB Program. Click here for more information on the IB program.

Why CITS

On top of the preparedness students attain from College in the Schools credit, transfer rates of the CITS courses offered at Grand Rapids High School is also very high. Not only are students earning college credit but the credit earned is also satisfying requirements for students as they set off to their schools of choice. A survey of college students who participated in CITS courses indicated UMD credit transferred successfully into required areas over 95% of the time. Many students entered their first year of college with a high standing due to the credit already attained, students were able to jump directly into high level coursework, and students report more preparedness for the college curriculum as a result of the IB and CITS programs. These benefits can ultimately save time and money and more often students noted that they used the advancement in credit to explore other courses, interests and future education opportunities such as pursing a minor or a double major.

5 reasons to take a CITS course at GRHS

Further develop college readiness skills
Increase your opportunity to earn scholarships and the likelihood of admissions for college
Explore specific fields of student in depth
Make room for diverse experiences
Save time and money by earning college credit

GRHS offers 56 UMD credits through high school courses equaling nearly 2 years of college

Grand Rapids High School College in the Schools Courses

English

IB/CITS English 11/ CITS
IB/CITS Language and Literature 12
IB/CITS ENGLISH 12

Math

IB/CITS PRE-CALCULUS
IB/CITS CALCULUS

Science

#1336 & #2336 IB/CITS CHEMISTRY I
#1337 & #2337 IB/CITS CHEMISTRY II

Social

IB/CITS GEOGRAPHY
IB/CITS HISTORY of EUROPE 12
IB/CITS HISTORY of EUROPE 11
CITS Economics

Art

CITS Intro to Music

World Language

IB/CITS SPANISH III
IB/CITS SPANISH IV

Physical Education

CITS Resistance Training

For previous year's CITS courses and credits click on the link

CITS credit through UMD has high transfer rate to schools within and outside of the University of Minnesota system. For more in-depth information, check out resources like Transferology, which can help you plan out the credit transfer likelihood to future colleges.

UMD Transcript Request

Students will need to send their final UMD transcript once College in the Schools courses have been completed. Future schools will need confirmation of completed college credit which cannot be verified other than an Official Transcript from the University of Minnesota Duluth

GRHS offers 56 UMD credits which is equal to over $29,037 in tuition savings alone, not including the saving benefits of Room and Board, Transportation, books and other college expenses. By taking high school classes, students can save nearly two years of college requirements.

Liberal Education Pathway through UMD

In partnership with the University of Minnesota Duluth, many of our GRHS CITS courses satisfy requirements towards students Liberal Education "Generals" requirement for 4 year college. In taking CITS courses students can satisfy needed requirements both within a 4 year major and/or within the Liberal Education requirement towards earning a 4 year diploma. Included below is the link to the University of Minnesota Duluth's Liberal Education requirements. The image to the right also allows students to track their GRHS CITS courses along this same pathway. Students can also track the amount of UMD CITS credits they are on track to earn using the same document. Through the CITS program students can earn a large majority of the required Liberal Education requirements needed in addition to Major requirements towards a 4 year degree.

GRHS Liberal Education Pathway

GRHS Students can stratify 9 of the 11 UMD Liberal Education requirements by taking high school courses

MN Private Colleges and College Credit

The following is a summary of what individual colleges recognize and accept when first-year students have participated in Dual Enrollment options through the high school. Each college has different standards and benchmark requirements for credit earned through Dual Enrollment, included within the list below are guidelines for some of those requirements.

MN Private Colleges Dual Enrollment

Requirements for the CITS Program: There is no requirement to register for a College in the Schools course at GRHS however, Juniors and Seniors must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to register with UMD AND have the opportunity to earn college credit.

How to prepare for the CITS Program

Listed below are recommended courses to help prepare for the College in the Schools curriculum. The recommended courses provide a knowledge base and encourage further development of skills such as organization, time management, and determination that increase the likelihood of success in the CITS program.

CITS Liberal Ed Pathway

GRHS IB

Page updated

Report abuse