Additional Learning Opportunities

Concurrent Enrollment:

Marshwood High School, in partnership with YCCC, SMCC and other colleges/universities, offer courses approved for college credit in addition to the MHS credit earned. Courses are taught by MHS faculty and are available students during the regular school day. Students must register at the start of the class through the On Course or ExplorEC college portal (with teacher's assistance). All concurrent classes are weighted as a college-level course (AP weight) and may transfer to a college/university in the future. 

Current Concurrent courses at MHS include:

• YCCC English Composition

• AP Calculus AB

• AP Statistics

• Advanced Algebra

• Quantitative Reasoning

• Honors Precalculus

• Music Appreciation

CTE Concurrent Enrollment Courses:

• Sanford Academy of Business (both I and II)

• Sanford Digital Design I (both I and II)

• Sanford EMT

• Sanford Engineering & Arch Design (both I and II)

• Sanford Firefighting

• Sanford Law Enforcement (both I and II)

• Sanford Video Production II

• Sanford Precision Machining II

• Dover Honors Vet Science

• Dover Honors Biomedical (both I and II)

All concurrent courses are marked with an asterisk(*) on a student's transcript and schedule.

Maine Community College and UMaine System:

If a student is interested in taking a course not taught at Marshwood High School through the Maine Community College or UMaine System, they should meet with their school counselor about which course(s) may be a good fit for them and references this document - Dual Enrollment Information - How to Get Started! Courses are offered both online and in-person.

Starting with the Class of 2027 (current sophomores), qualified students may earn a lifetime total of 18 tuition-free credits. For purposes of eligibility and credit totals, the academic year begins on May 1st and ends on April 30th. Summer courses count toward the following academic year (e.g. Summer 2025 enrollment is counted toward the 2025/2026 academic year). Students enrolled in an approved CTE program may earn a lifetime total of 24 tuition free credits. Both concurrent and external dual enrollment classes are included in this credit count.

Great Bay Community College:

Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth, NH also offers dual enrollment opportunities. New Hampshire residents are able to take up to two courses for free per year, followed by a discount. Courses are offered both online or in-person.

Great Bay Community College Dual Enrollment Information

AP4ME:

The state of Maine offers AP level online courses for high school students through the University of Maine Presque Isle (UMPI). There is no cost to this program, and students should only enroll in AP4ME classes that are not offered at Marshwood High School. Students need to be recommended by their counselor in order to participate through an application process. These courses are fast paced, meant for the self motivated student, and space is limited (up to 5 students per AP4ME course). AP4ME courses are for Maine residents only, and students can take up to two AP4ME courses per year.

AP4ME Information

VLACS: 

The Virtual Learning Academy is a New Hampshire based online school that offers AP level courses for New Hampshire students. These courses are free for New Hampshire residents, and provides the same opportunity that AP4All provides to Maine students.  

VLACS

VHS:

Virtual High School is an online learning program that can provide an opportunity for students to take AP Spanish or AP French. Interested students should see their school counselor for more information. This course option is free for students. 

eStart:

Partnership between VLACS and the Community College System of NH. Credits earned are dual credits for high school and college. This is offered to New Hampshire juniors and seniors and these credits can transfer to many colleges.

eStart Information & Eligibility Requirements

EMBARK:

The EMBARK program is available for Maine resident students who plan to attend community college after high school or who need additional support through the college process. There are many benefits to this program including monthly meetings with an academic advisor and the opportunity for a scholarship to attend a Maine community college after graduation.

EMBARK Information

Students wishing to seek learning opportunities beyond or outside of the school's curriculum may do so through an independent course of study arrangement. Independent study coursework may not be used to meet core graduation requirements. All independent study arrangements require approval by the school counselor, overseeing teacher and principal, and must be overseen by a faculty member highly qualified in the content area. An independent study is considered an external credit. Students may earn a maximum of two (2) external credits.  Independent study courses are listed on a student’s schedule and are included on the transcript as Pass/Fail.

For all independent study courses, the student and the faculty member must determine the goals of the learning experience, the specified outcomes, assessments, the required time commitment, common meeting times and length of course (year long or ½ year). The quantity and quality of work expected must be equal to or exceed that which would be expected in a regular course at Marshwood High School.

Extended Learning Opportunities are interest-based, customized learning experiences that happen outside the traditional classroom. ELOs can be for elective credit or for personal enrichment. ELOs can occur outside of regular school hours. ELOs are often outside of school in a business/organization in the community.

ELOs are inspired by and designed with the student. Students are encouraged to dive deeper into a meaningful topic, explore a career or follow an ambition. 

Examples include: 

• Learn sign language

• Work on getting your real estate license

• Job shadow in the healthcare field

• Train in a trade

ELOs empower students to pursue individual aspirations and to connect with the communities around them!

ELO credit is earned by completing a learning plan. Students are supported in developing the learning plan and supported throughout the extended learning experience. 

At MHS there are several types of ELOs, including but not limited to:

• Independent Study

• Project Based Learning

• Job Shadow

• Apprenticeship

• Digital Learning

• Internship

• Work Based Learning 

ELO approval is required in advance. See your school counselor for more information.