I am a Rushford-Peterson graduate that earned my Undergraduate Degree in Family & Consumer Science Education from the University of Wisconsin Stout and my Master's Degree in School Counseling from Winona State University. I have 26 years of experience working with middle and high school students; much of which has been teaching Family & Consumer Science at Rushford-Peterson. My husband, Davin, and I have been blessed to live, work, and raise our three children in Rushford. My hobbies include spending time with my family & friends, going for walks, practicing yoga, reading, baking, and attending sporting events.
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Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any personal or academic concerns, as well as questions related to college and career planning, class registration, transcripts, graduation requirements, financial aid, or scholarships. I am committed to supporting students throughout their journey at Rushford-Peterson and as they prepare for life beyond high school.
To make an appointment to meet with me, please email
PSEO INFORMATION
PSEO INFORMATION
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college-level, nonsectarian courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th graders may take one career/technical PSEO course. If they earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional PSEO courses.
There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. Students must notify their school by May 30 if they want to participate in PSEO for the following school year. If you did not attend PSEO for Semester 1 but want to attend for Semester 2, Mrs. Thompson must be notified by October 30.
Students are limited to 6 courses per trimester regardless of location (RP or PSEO). When registering for PSEO courses, students must account for the schedule of semester-length PSEO courses overlapping with trimester-length courses at RP.
For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s (PSEO webpage: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/dual/pseo/
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE TAKING PSEO CLASSES:
Although PSEO has advantages and may provide additional opportunities, there are important considerations for potential PSEO candidates:
PSEO credits are officially transcripted college courses. Grades, including low grades, non-passing grades, and withdrawals, earned in PSEO courses will remain a part of the student's post-high school record for the remainder of their academic career. These grades will likely factor in admissions decisions by future higher education schools.
Students who are not fully prepared for these courses may struggle with the expectations of college-level coursework.
Most college courses heavily weigh student grades on exams, papers, and projects. Students who are accustomed to supporting their grades with small assignments and quizzes will need to adjust to heavier summative weighting.
Earning credit through PSEO may or may not reduce the number of credits that a student is required to complete for a bachelor's degree in the future. Loading up on PSEO credits in the core areas (English, math, social studies and history, and science) to meet high school requirements may exceed college requirements in those areas. Students considering PSEO are encouraged to consider taking courses that will potentially satisfy liberal arts requirements at their eventual school of choice. (We encourage students to meet with Mrs. Helgemoe to help map out their PSEO classes and requirement areas)
Most PSEO credits will probably be recognized by future higher education schools, but there are few guarantees. Some universities may require you to take their introductory-level courses in a major field of study.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students must meet admissions requirements set forth by the institution.
Legislation allows eligible 10th-grade students to enroll initially in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) course through PSEO. If the student earns a “C” or higher grade in this first course, she/he is eligible to take additional CTE courses while in 10th grade. In order to be eligible, a 10th-grade student must have met the proficiency level of “meets or exceeds” on the 8th-grade MCA reading test. If the student did not take the MCA, another reading assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution can be substituted.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Let the school know: Students are requested to let the high school know before May 30th if considering participation in the program the following academic year.
Fill out requested paperwork.
State Form: Students will need to complete and sign the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program Notice of Student Registration form each semester they are enrolled in the program. A parent or guardian’s signature is required unless the student is 18 years old or older.
Fill out the desired College/university application form. No application fee needs to be submitted. A list of participating Postsecondary Institutions can be found here. Interested and eligible public 10th-grade students should contact the postsecondary institution to find out which Career and Technical (CTE) courses are offered and what the application process is at that institution.
COURSES & CREDITS:
When selecting courses, students must be careful to fulfill the subject areas required for high school graduation. Students who plan to take required courses at the post-secondary institution must bring in course descriptions to the counselor and/or principal in order to get approval for taking those particular courses. You will not be allowed to take a required course at a post-secondary institution without the counselor’s/principal’s approval. Also, students are not permitted to take remedial or other courses not considered college level.
Students may take one or more courses up to a full-time course load as defined by the post-secondary institution.
The high school determines the amount of credit to be awarded. 4 semester credits equals 1 high school credit in each subject. In order to fulfill graduation requirements, a full-time PSEO student will need to take 15 credits each semester.
Starting in the 2025-26 school year, we will use the following college/high school ratio.
5 college credits = 1.5 high school credits
4 college credits = 1.2 high school credits
3 college credits = .9 high school credits
2 college credits = .6 high school credits
1 college credit = .3 high school credits
Credits received at a post-secondary institution are on the student’s record and count as courses completed at that institution. Transferring credits to another institution is dependent upon the transfer rules of that institution.
If students withdraw from a course, they must let the post-secondary institution and the high school know immediately. PSEO students should expect to be subject to the same procedures and/or penalties as any other high school student when withdrawing from or failing a course.
INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
High schools may not prohibit students from participating in school sponsored activities based on PSEO status.
TRANSPORTATION
Students or their parents are responsible for transportation to the post-secondary institution. If the student’s family qualifies, their parent or guardian may apply for reimbursement for transportation costs.
OTHER HELPFUL HINTS:
Once you have submitted your paperwork to the college, you will hear back in writing whether or not you have been accepted. If you are accepted, you will be asked to set up a meeting with the PSEO advisor from that college to choose courses.
If you are not physically going to be at Rushford-Peterson High School all or some of the day, staying in communication with the high school is more of a challenge. It is your responsibility to keep informed. The daily bulletin is posted on R-P’s web page. Also, please share your email with the office administrative assistant to receive the daily announcements.
CAREER EXPLORATION
CAREER EXPLORATION
ACT INFORMATION
ACT INFORMATION
Students normally take the ACT in the spring of their junior year if they are interested in attending college. We will offer it to all Juniors at RP in March.
Registration
Our school code for ACT registration is 242-150.
Registration for the ACT can be found at www.actstudent.org
*You are able to check on the ACT website whether your college requires the Writing test.
Reminders:
ACT fee waivers are available for students whose families qualify for free or reduced lunch or are experiencing financial difficulties.
Students should try to use all 4 college choices to send their scores to. If scores need to be sent later, there is a cost to send. In addition, MOST colleges now require students to send official ACT scores to them. An official score comes directly from the testing agency to the college/university.
ACT Preparation
ACT prep can be found in your MCIS account!
Rushford-Peterson Registration Resources
College Readiness Resources
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