This is a very personal decision. Students & families are advised to meet with university PSEO advisors and do their own research to determine which option better fits their high school schedule and future goals.
There are many public and private colleges and universities that offer PSEO programming. Visit schools and research programs to determine which is the best fit for you!
YES! Students and families are responsible for knowing the University's deadlines. Any student wanting to take PSEO classes in the fall MUST notify their high school and complete the high school advising process by May 30 of the preceding school year. This is a state deadline.
Official transcripts must be ordered through Parchment (there is a small fee). Students/Family can print unoffical transcripts from Infinite Campus.
Yes! PSEO students may choose to take just one class or all classes directly from a college or university. Students with a part-time college credit load will need to take classes from their high school in order to remain a full time student. Once registered for college classes, students should send their college course schedule to their MHS Counselor. To the greatest extent possible, MHS courses will be scheduled to allow student to fully participate in their PSEO classes. If necessary, online high school options will be discussed.
NOSR forms are available in February. Forms will be sent to NEW PSEO students within about week of completing both MHS notifiaction forms (student and parent). Forms will be sent to all PSEO students in the fall for spring registration.
When PSEO students attend classes on a college campus, transportation is the student’s responsibility. Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) provides guidance on transportation expectations and mileage reimbursement for eligible families. The information below is taken directly from the MDE website so links and contact information remain current:
PSEO students from income-eligible families may qualify for mileage reimbursement when attending courses on a college campus. This benefit applies to public, nonpublic, and home school students who meet federal poverty guidelines. Families must complete an application and submit monthly expense reports to their district for reimbursement. For details, review the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions or contact pupiltransportation.mde@state.mn.us.
CIS classes offered at MHS are from multiple partner institutions. Degree-granting institutions typically require students to complete a certain number of credits directly from that institution, often the last semester or year of a degree program. Contact your PSEO institution to understand their credit transfer policies and any "residency" requirements.
Students should review their 4-year planning document with credit requirements and their personal academic planner (both found in the registration hub) to ensure remaining high school requirements are met. Students can then refer to the PSEO Course Equivalencies page to identify PSEO courses that fulfill remaining graduation requirements. ANY college class eligible to PSEO students will meet elective credit requirements.
See examples in the PSEO COURSE Equivalencies tab.
If your school is not listed, review courses approved at other institutions and try to select a similar class. Be sure to get our MHS Counselor to approve any grad requirement-course prior to the start of the term. To have a course approved as equivalent to an MHS class, you will need to provide: 1) The name of the school 2) the name of the class 3) a class description. In some cases, you will need to obtain a course syllabus.
If you are unsure where to look for equivalent classes, reach out to your PSEO Advisor. Your High School Counselor is not an expert in all classes offered at all institutions and will refer you back to your college's PSEO Advisor.
Algebra 2 is a high school graduation requirement, and the prerequisite for college math classes. In most cases, students must complete Algebra 2 through their high school before being eligible for college-level math. Some colleges will allow students to "test in" to college-level math classes. Students who successfully complete a college math course beyond the scope of Algebra 2 may have that course replace the high school Algebra 2 course (eg College Algebra or Precalculus). PSEO students who need Algebra 2 can take that through MHS, either in person or online.
Review your graduation credit progress report (Academic Planner) in Infinite Campus. PSEO students are expected to understand their remaining high school requirements and work with their university PSEO advisor to select courses to fulfill high school requirements.
You will not be able to register for your PSEO classes until later in the year (usually, during the summer). Therefore, you will not know FOR SURE what classes you will be taking. When you complete your MHS registration form, please register for classes AS IF you would be here full time. Then, when you have your final PSEO fall schedule, send it to your MHS Counselor who will adjust your high school schedule.
FOR CIS CLASSES: The partner institution name and course number is listed in the CIS Courses & Eligibility page. Use Transferology or check with your college to determine how credits might transfer to your future college.
FOR AP CLASSES: Use Transferology or check with your college to determine how credits might transfer to your future college.
FOR PSEO CLASSES: Use Transferology or check with your college to determine how credits might transfer to your future college.
No. PSEO students are college students and must seek support from their University professors and/or university tutoring services.
Yes! PSEO students are welcome to fully participate in all aspects of the MHS student experience, from clubs and activities to dances and graduation events. However, students with in-person PSEO classes can struggle to align schedules to fit well with some activities and events. PSEO professors will NOT excuse students for high school events or activities.
No. However, at many colleges, if you do not have an ACT or MCA score that qualifies you to take college-level courses, you will need to take subject placement exams at the college before being allowed to enroll in certain classes. For some students, taking the ACT* by the June before your PSEO term can allow you skip those placement exams. Check with your college for more information. (While only MN Juniors can take the test during the school day, ACT testing is available at many National testing sites. Register here).
Your SSID Number is a educational identification number, allowing you to attend public schools in MN. Your MHS Counselor likely sent that number to you in an email when sending your NOSR. If you cannot find that number in an email, reach out to your Counselor.
Students choosing part-time PSEO will need to remain very flexible. During high school registration (typically in January), you will choose classes "as if" you will be at MHS full time. Once you have been accepted at a college, you will follow the college's orientation and course registration process, choosing classes for only the upcoming semester. At some schools, this happens as early as May, while other schools may not happen until late summer. Once you have your PSEO schedule finalized, sent that to your MHS Counselor, along with the MHS courses you would like to take. Your MHS Counselor will then work to align your high school schedule with your college schedule. If requested courses are not available when the student needs/prefers, online options will be available. The MHS master schedule is available by mid-August and specific scheduling will not be available earlier. This process will be repeated for the college's spring semester. Please be aware that the high school trimester dates and college semester dates do not align.
FOR PSEO COURSES:
If you completed any PSEO courses prior to submitting your college applications, you will need to send transcripts from both your high school AND college along with your new applications. Your college PSEO website or advisor can provide more guidance on how to send your college transcripts.
FOR AP COURSES:
All AP Courses will be listed on your MHS transcript. AP test scores are not typically considered in admission decisions. Each college determines how they might award credit for passing an AP test. In most cases, you will only send your AP Score Report to one college, before starting classes there as a Freshman.
FOR CIS COURSES:
You will only need to send your MHS transcript with your college application. Your college application and the MHS transcript will designate courses as CIS (also known as Dual-Enrollment, or DE courses). If applying via Common App, you will also identify each CIS/DE course.
After you have completed CIS courses at MHS (typically, following senior year), you will need to request a transcript from ANY college where you earned your CIS credits. For your convenience, each CIS partner's transcript request page is linked below.
Students in grade 10 may enroll in up to ONE Career and Technical Education Course (CTE) via PSEO. Additional limitations and eligibility requirements apply. See additional information available on the MN Department of Education Website.
Many PSEO students successfully navigate starting college early.
It is common for new PSEO students to struggle with the basics of orientation and ordering class materials. Be sure to complete all required tasks in advance and carefully read emails from your college. Save your PSEO advisor's email address and office phone number in case questions arise.
PSEO students are college students and will be expected to engage with professors and participate in college classes like college students. Successful PSEO students are able to communicate confidently and professionally with older students and staff.
College professors rarely offer deadline extensions or assignment/test re-takes. PSEO Students need to be very independent and meet course expectations and deadlines without reminders from parents or professors. Successful PSEO students stay organized.
PSEO students can feel disconnected from both their high school and college peers, which can lead to loneliness. Successful PSEO students have a plan to maintain connections with peers and community.
PSEO students can access office hours and college tutoring centers, just like typical college students. Your high school teachers will not be able to support you through college classes.
Although colleges will often allow students to drop courses with a "W" (withdraw) on the transcript, doing so will result in an "F" on the high school transcript if that class is dropped after the first two weeks. Be sure to reach out to your School Counselor for additional guidance.
Email your question to shelly.hughes@monticello.k12.mn.us. You will receive a response and your question may end up on this FAQ page!