The programs below provide paths to graduation with special areas of emphasis. It's not required to be in a program, but it's good to know your options!
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The Road to Graduation: a note from your Southwest High School Counseling Team
The Road to Graduation: a note from your Southwest High School Counseling Team
Dear Student,
As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, Southwest High School provides an environment where all students can achieve their personal best. Through rigorous academic and personal standards, Southwest students are encouraged to become creative and analytical thinkers who are globally-minded agents of change. Students are well-prepared to enter into further education, training, or the workforce, with most of our students planning to pursue some type of college or university upon graduation. Most courses and programs at Southwest High School are considered to be college preparatory or college equivalent.
You have a unique opportunity to make decisions that will influence your future. The planning of your high school academic program is an important decision in your life. The choices you make about these courses will have a direct impact on your future options. This process does not need to be overwhelming, but it should be taken seriously. You do need to know that each decision you make in high school will affect the options available to you later.
In developing your plan, you will need to consider both Minneapolis Public Schools’ graduation requirements as well as the entrance requirements for any postsecondary program, college, or university you may consider. It is better to develop a plan that keeps all of your options open as we expect that you will continue to explore and grow throughout your time here.
MPS’ graduation requirements provide minimum pathways to 4-year college and university admission standards. Thus, you need to plan a challenging course program. Your academic course load should be balanced, however, as participation in activities, both in and out of school, mental health, and other obligations like working or helping at home must be considered. Try to find courses that meet your needs and interests and allow you to keep your post-secondary options open. The Southwest curriculum is rich in academics and the fine arts, providing pathways in the career and technical education fields. There is a wide range of offerings to meet all student needs. The counseling team, along with teachers and parents/ guardians, will work with you to determine your plan.
We look forward to assisting you through this process! ~SWHS Counseling Team
International Baccalaureate Programmes
International Baccalaureate Programmes
What is it?
As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, all 9th and 10th grade students at Southwest are automatically participants in the IB Middle Years Program (MYP). In 11th and 12th grade, we offer courses in the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Programme (CP). These courses are open to all willing to take on the challenge. All of the students at Southwest High School benefit from the IB learning experience that provides a holistic education that focuses on relevant and rigorous academic work and opportunities to be service.
IB Programmes at Southwest High School Overview
How does this impact my course registration?
In 9th and 10th grade, every class is preparing students for the courses they select in 11th and 1th grade. Our number one job at SWHS, is to help you earn your high school diploma. In addition to that, you can earn individual IB Course Certificates, the SW IB Medallion, the IB Diploma, or the IB Career Diploma. Your IB Coordinators and Counselors are available to look at what option works for you. More info about IB at Southwest here
IB Middle Years Programme
IB Middle Years Programme
What is it?
The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. All 9th and 10th courses at Southwest utilize the MYP framework to prepare students for their junior and senior year of high school as well as preparing them to be life-long learners while fostering communication skills, intercultural understanding, and global engagement. All students will complete a Personal Project during 10th grade that allows them to explore an area of interest and then plan, implement, and reflect on the project. More infomation about IB MYP at Southwest here
How does this impact my course registration?
Every course in 9th and 10th grade follows the IB MYP curricular framework. Every student is a part of the Middle Years Programme at Southwest. If you have questions about the IB Middle Years Programme, please reach out to idil.mohamud@mpls.k12.mn.us.
IB Diploma Programme
IB Diploma Programme
What is it?
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a collection of rigorous, college-level courses for 11th and 12th grade students that prepare them for post-secondary study and to be globally engaged citizens in their communites. The IB DP aims to develop students who have an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge. Southwest High School prepares all graduates to flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically. All 11th and 12th graders are able to participate as an IB DP course certificate candidate, a SW IB Medallion candidate, or as an IB Diploma candidate. all 9th and 10th grade students at Southwest are automatically participants in the IB Middle Years Program (MYP). In 11th and 12th grade, we offer courses in the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IB Career-related Programme. More information about IB DP at Southwest here
How does this impact my course registration?
Most of the courses you register for in 11th and 12th grade will have the "IB" label in front of them, which means that in addition to earning your SWHS credit, you have the opportunity to take the corresponding IB exam. A few of our courses allow you to take the IB exam after one year; however, most are a two-year course if you decide to take the IB exam. If you have questions about the IB Diploma Programme, please reach out to timothy.leistikow@mpls.k12.mn.us.
IB Career Programme
IB Career Programme
What is it?
The IB Career-related Programme (CP) is a collection of rigorous, college-level Career and Technical courses and IB Diploma Programme courses that provide students the opportunity to develop industry-recognized skills, earn college credit/certificates and further their education. Students can choose different career pathways at Southwest: Business, Information Technology, Graphics, Media Arts, Music, Personal ang Group Fitness Training, and Environmental Science. Within each of these pathways students can choose to take individual courses, earn certifications in some of the pathways, or pair the career courses with IB Diploma Program courses to earn the IB Career-related Program Certificate (only available for 11th and 12th grade students). More information about IB CP at Southwest here
How does this impact my course registration?
The career courses that you choose for the IB Career-related Programme must all be in the same pathway. If you have questions about the IB Career Programme, please reach out to maria.kimmes@mpls.k12.mn.us.
Work Based Learning
Work Based Learning
What is it?
Work Based Learning (WBL) is a program provided through MPS Career and Techncial Education (CTE) that focuses on preparing students for the world of work and helps them establish themselves with specific experiences that they can use while applying for college or whatever post-secondary program or career pathway that they aspire toward. WBL includes 3 possible electives, descriptions of each are in the course catalog. WBL supports a wide array of students from those who know a specific career pathway they’d like to pursue and are ready to take course work in currently, to those that want to spend time to figure out a career pathway that they can pursue in their life after High School. Students spend considerable time learning about and understanding themselves better, to help them to answer some very important life questions like what careers am I best suited for and what will I pursue when I am done with high school or when I go to college or what electives can I take now that move me toward that goal? After identifying a career pathway, WBL students research and learn about jobs that in that pathway so they can better understand those jobs: expected pay, educational expectations of those jobs, and also expectations of those education programs, etc; Students also research classes and experiences in that pathway available to them in the district now so they can begin building their portfolios. Additionally, students will research current and future career trends; discuss on-the-job health and safety issues and employer-employee relations; identify personal, work and lifestyle values; and create a professional resume and cover letter that you can use as you move into whatever field you choose to pursue. In addition to this, WBL offers a Career Work Experience class where you earn high school credits while you participate in paid or unpaid internships or work experiences associated with your career pathway.
How does this impact my course registration?
Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors; do you have questions about what to do after high school or what to study when you go to college? Are you looking for an elective? Consider a Work Based Learning elective. If you have questions about Work Based Learning, please reach out to jon.linne@mpls.k12.mn.us.
AVID
AVID
What is it?
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college preparatory program for students who have a desire to go to college and are capable of completing a rigorous curriculum, but might be the first in their family to attend college. Students may apply for AVID at any point during high school. Students take the AVID class for one period a day where students learn organization and study skills, develop their critical thinking, participate in college visits, get help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment activities that prepare students for college.
How does this impact my course registration?
If you've been accepted into the AVID program, you'll be enrolled in the AVID class specific to your grade level. Make sure to check the AVID box on your registration form. If you're not in the program, but are interested, see MS. Hooper or your counselor for more information. More info about AVID here.
Multilingual Learners
Multilingual Learners
What is it?
As an IB World School, Southwest High School encourages all students to learn another language. Additionally, Southwest encourages all students to continue to develop their mother tongue and is committed to finding opportunities for students to do that. Students who speak English as an additional language are entitled to extra instruction and support in learning English. The goal is to build academic language and content knowledge so you are able to successfully navigate content classes and develop skills so you are prepared for continuing your education or entering into a career after graduation.
How does this impact my course registration?
If you are an English Language Learner, our multilingual teachers will make sure you get the classes you need.
Minnesota Bilingual Seal
Minnesota Bilingual Seal
What is it?
The Seal recognizes a student's linguistic and intercultural competence, and it can enhance college applications and job prospects. The Seal can earn students free college credit. The Seal also promotes multilingualism and cross-cultural communication in our state. As part of Southwest High School's commitment to language acquisition, all students have the opportunity to take the MN Seals tests. MN SEALS tests are currently available in Amharic, Arabic, ASL, Bulgarian, Chinese (Mandarin), Czech, Dakota, French, German, Hindi, Hebrew, Hmong, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Latin, Ojibwe, Oromo, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, and Vietnamese. And coming soon: Dari, Pashto, Swahili, and Ukranian. Minneapolis Public Schools will help to facilitate those tests.
All students taking the IB French, Japanese, and Spanish exams will earn a MN Bilingual Seal if they score a "3" or higher on their IB exam. More information about Minnesota Bilingual Seals Program here
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