Advanced Academics

Why a College-Level Course?

1. You can earn college credit in high school, giving you a head start in avoiding the financial burden of college debt.

2. Data supports that students who take college-level courses in high school are better prepared and more likely to be successful in college.

3. You get the experience of rigorous collegiate courses designed with the engaging support of your North High teachers and classmates.

What will a College-Level Course at North feel like?

• The pacing of the class is quicker than you're probably used to.

• Engaging in instructional time, collaborative classwork and homework is critical to being successful.

• A level of positive reinforcement will always be present.  

• The nature of these classes will bring a stronger bond with your peers, as you collaborate and strive for college credit together.

What types of College-Level Courses can be taken at North?

• Advanced Placement (AP)- Advanced placement classes are recognized across the country as rigorous college-level courses.  Completing an AP class looks great on applications for scholarships and colleges.  An AP course ends with an exam and students who score high enough earn college credit. More information is located on The College Board website. 

• College In the Schools (CIS) - Currently North High has CIS instructors for The University of Minnesota.  Any student that completes a course with a C or better receives college credits at the partnering college. Those credits can then transfer to the college that you choose to attend after high school.  Information on The University of Minnesota's website. 

• Post-Secondary Enrollment (PSEO) - Post-secondary enrollment is when a high school student leaves North High for part of the day to take a class at a local college.  When students do this, they can get credit toward high school graduation at the same time they are earning college credit in a college environment.  Post-secondary is only available to juniors and seniors with good grades and strong self-management skills. There are PSEO programs at both Minneapolis Community & Technical College and University of Minnesota. 

What Advanced/College-Level classes can I sign up for at each grade level? 

This list is a general guideline for when you can take different college-level courses.  If there is a course you would like to take at a different grade level, make an appointment with your counselor and talk to them about it.  

9th-grade

• Geometry

• AP Human Geography

10th-grade

• Honors English

• Advanced Algebra

• AP Biology

• AP World History

11th grade:

• AP English Language and Composition 

• AP Precalculus

• AP Statistics

• CIS/AP Calculus I

• AP Biology

• AP Chemistry

• CIS/AP US History

• AP Studio Art: 2D

12th grade:

• CIS Intro to Literature

• CIS University Writing

• AP English Language & Composition

• AP Precalculus

• AP/CIS Calculus I

• AP Biology

• AP Chemistry

• AP Physics 1: Algebra-based

• AP US Government and Politics

• AP Microeconomics

• AP Studio Art: 2D