Students who enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses are required to complete the appropriate AP exam in May. Registration with College Board for the AP course, payment and on-line registration for the exam will be required during the first weeks of school.
Students who fail to pay the requisite fee (anticipated approximately $10per exam fee) school year, do not return the AP Contract or do no register with College Board will be withdrawn from the class.
Students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch and/or are experiencing family financial difficulties are eligible for assistance in paying the AP exam fee; students should speak to their school counselor before returning the contract.
Students who plan on enrolling in AP courses should pay close attention to the course descriptions for these courses and note that there may be required summer assignments that must be completed prior to the start of the school year. Required summer assignments are provided to students prior to the end of the school year by the appropriate AP teacher of the course for the upcoming school year.
NOTE: College Board requires all students to register for AP Exams online. Information regarding registering online will be distributed to students and families in September, however it will be the student’s responsibility to register.
The purpose of the Dual Enrollment Policy is to support the enrollment of South Kingstown School District students in courses designed to provide an early college experience, with the opportunity to earn college credit(s). This policy fulfills the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-100-3(a) and § 16-100-4.
Concurrent Enrollment: A secondary student earns postsecondary credit by enrolling in a course offered through the South Kingstown High School’s Program of Studies (the “Program of Studies”) that is taught by a South Kingstown School District teacher pre-approved by the postsecondary institution(s). Concurrent enrollment courses include Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Advanced Course Network courses, as well as college, university, or career and technical center programs of study in which articulation agreements are available.
Dual Enrollment: A student is enrolled in a secondary school while simultaneously enrolled part- time or full-time (typically as a non-matriculating student) at a postsecondary institution, such as a community college, college, or university. This category includes but is not limited to on- campus courses, distance learning (online) courses, and hybrid courses.
Early College Enrollment: A senior who is accepted and enrolls as a full-time postsecondary student in a degree program may elect to substitute that program for his/her senior year.
Postsecondary Institution: Institutions of higher education.
Concurrent Enrollment: Beginning in 8th grade, students who have completed all prerequisite courses are eligible to participate in concurrent enrollment courses offered in the Program of Studies on a space-available basis. Specific prerequisite courses are identified in the Program of Studies.
Part-Time Dual Enrollment: Beginning in 11th grade, students who have completed all prerequisite courses are eligible to participate in part-time dual enrollment courses on a space-available basis. Specific prerequisite courses are identified in the Program of Studies. College courses not presently offered through the High School’s Program of Studies or Community College of Rhode Island’s Running Start program must be pre-approved by the student’s building principal in order to count as credit toward a student’s high school diploma. Students are encouraged to seek pre-approval prior to enrolling in such courses.
Full-Time Dual Enrollment: Beginning in 12th grade, students who have completed all prerequisite courses are eligible to participate in dual enrollment courses on a space-available basis. Specific prerequisite courses are identified in the Program of Studies. Full-time dual-enrolled students must enroll at the Community College of Rhode Island. The commissioner of postsecondary education may provide a waiver to a student to enroll at Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island.
Early College Enrollment: Beginning in 12th grade, students who have completed all prerequisite courses are eligible to participate in early college enrollment on a space-available basis. Specific prerequisite courses are identified in the Program of Studies.
In addition to the foregoing requirements, students must also meet the eligibility requirements of the board, network, program, or postsecondary institution to enroll in early college, dual or concurrent enrollment courses.
Eligibility may be denied or withdrawn by the building principal for students who:
• are not on track to graduate and/or have not met graduation benchmarks outlined in the Program of Studies;
• have achieved a GPA below 3.0;
• are chronically absent or tardy; and/or
• engage in serious misconduct that would justify a long-term suspension under SKSC Policy 8305, or that impacts the operation of the instructional program under SKSC Policy 8315;
As a condition of participation in early college and dual enrollment courses, students or parents must agree in writing to allow for a complete exchange of information.
Students who have not yet entered the 11th grade but who have completed the prerequisite coursework may request a waiver to become eligible to participate in part-time dual enrollment courses.
Students who have not yet entered the 12th grade but who have completed the prerequisite coursework may request a waiver to become eligible to participate in a full-time dual enrollment or early college enrollment program.
To request a waiver, the student must send a letter to the Superintendent during the high school course selection window requesting a review by the South Kingstown Educational Review Committee (ERC) (Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Pupil Personnel Director and one (1) School Committee Member). If the ERC determines that a hearing is necessary to make a decision, students may invite their parent/guardian to attend.
Grading for concurrent enrollment courses will be in accordance with the grading policy/procedures at South Kingstown High School. Grading for dual enrollment and early college enrollment courses will be in accordance with that of the post-secondary institution. A record of courses and grades must be included on an official student transcript from the post-secondary institution (if equivalent to South Kingstown High School courses). Subject to the eligibility criteria above, all earned credits will count toward a student’s high school diploma provided that they reflect coursework equivalent to courses required by South Kingstown High School. In cases where earned credits are higher than or not equivalent, the student can elect to provide a college transcript to the Guidance Office and/or to other institutions of higher education with their admissions information. Courses will be weighted in accordance with the guidance provided in the Program of Studies.
The District will not be responsible for providing any accommodations that would otherwise not be required to be provided by the post-secondary institution.
A student who has completed the high school graduation requirements may not continue to enroll as a student in the District by participating in programs detailed in this policy.
Dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment course costs will vary by course and delivery method. Unless specifically provided for in the South Kingstown School Department budget, all costs associated with early college, part-time dual and concurrent enrollment courses are the sole responsibility of students and their families. The availability of funding from the State of Rhode Island may or may not be available to defray these costs. The District will ensure the opportunity for participation of students receiving a free or reduced lunch by providing assistance (through the Guidance Office) in identifying potential funding sources. The District will not provide transportation to postsecondary institutions. The District shall support the cost of students who enroll in the full-time dual enrollment program at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) as a part of their high school experience. District support shall be based on the higher education institution’s tuition and mandatory fee rates and will not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the core instructional per pupil amount of state and local education aid as determined by RIDE, not to exceed the cost of full-time enrollment at the institution. The District shall remit the tuition and fees to the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner upon notice.
Opportunities and guidelines, including potential benefits and consequences, for the participation of students in early college, dual and concurrent enrollment courses will be published in the Program of Studies. Students and parents interested in exploring this opportunity should contact their secondary school counselor.
Spring Semester Credit Recovery: During the spring semester, students who are in need of credit recovery in Physical Education may have the opportunity to make up the credit. Priority will be given to upperclassmen. Students and their school counselor will meet to discuss this option prior to a student’s registration for PE credit recovery.
Summer Credit Recovery Programs: A student’s eligibility for summer school, based on South Kingstown High School policies, must be determined prior to registration/participation in any credit recovery program. Students who have failed a course must pass two quarters of a year-long class to be eligible to participate in a summer school program and/or credit recovery program or with Administrative approval.
Enrollment in summer school programs offered by local school departments is an acceptable means of earning credit for a failed course. In addition, students may use approved on-line programs, credit recovery programs offered by adult education programs, post-secondary institutions, as well as RIDE certified teachers for one-on-one tutoring. Students and parents/guardians must meet with the student’s school counselor to determine the best credit recovery option for the given student.
It is the policy of the South Kingstown School Department not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX may be directed to the Superintendent’s Office, Title IX Coordinator or the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office for Civil Rights in Education, Providence, RI 02908.
It is the policy of the South Kingstown School Department not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, color, or handicap in its educational programs, activities, and employment practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, the lack of English language skills of national origin minority persons will not be a barrier to admission and participation in vocational education programs.
Inquiries regarding compliance with laws related to sex discrimination may be directed to the Superintendent's Office, 307 Curtis Corner Road, Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879. Inquiries related to handicapped accessibility may be directed to the Special Education Office, 307 Curtis Corner Road, Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879