How many credits are needed for graduation?

How do I get an Honors diploma?

► Honors Program ◄

Honors Courses

Honors courses are open to all students meeting the course prerequisites. Honors courses alter the curriculum in terms of depth, rigor, and pace. They promote higher level thinking skills and provide opportunity for a variety of extended projects. Solid background and a mature work ethic are highly recommended. Successful completion of the honors course is clearly defined on the student's transcript.
Honors courses in which students have earned grades of A, B, or C will impact the weighted GPA. However, only honors courses in which students have earned grades of A or B (not P or C) will count toward an Honors Diploma.

Honors Option Courses

Students desiring challenging opportunities may also elect to receive honors credit in courses which have been designated as honors option courses. Within 20 school days from the beginning of each semester, students must register for the honors option by submitting a request to the Gifted Specialist signed by the teacher of the course. In order to receive honors credit for an honors option course, the student must successfully complete assignments designated by the instructor which differ in depth, rigor, and pace. This option promotes higher level thinking skills and provides opportunity for a variety of extended projects. Students must petition the Gifted Services Specialist to receive honors option credit for independent study. Successful completion of the honors option for a course is clearly defined on the student's transcript.

College Courses – Special Note:

Starting with the 2018-19 school year, all courses that receive college credit during high school (Concurrent Enrollment, CIS and PSEO) will be considered Honors Courses and count towards the Honors Diploma. However, only courses in which students have earned grades of A or B (not P or C) will count toward an Honors Diploma.”

Honors Diploma

Students are encouraged to apply for the honors diploma through the Gifted Services department before the end of the first year of high school, although self-nominations are accepted at any point during the high school experience. In order to qualify for an honors diploma, students

Must select a minimum of 24 semester credits of honors.
Must earn a final semester grade of A or B in honors classes in order for a course to count toward the honors diploma. The student must take the course for a letter grade, rather than selecting the pass/no credit option.

Honors classes are clearly defined on a student's transcript. In addition, students meeting the criteria for graduation with an honors diploma are recognized in the commencement program.

Advanced Placement

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program (AP) enables students to pursue college-level studies while in high school. Based on their performance on rigorous AP Examinations, students can earn credit, advanced placement, or both, for college. Over 90 percent of the nation's colleges and universities have an AP policy that grants credit and/or placement for students with qualifying AP Exam grades.
AP courses make substantial academic demands on students. Students are required to do considerable outside reading and other assignments and to demonstrate the skills and writing abilities of first-year college students.

Mentorship in the Community Honors (see page 84 for complete description)

Mentorship is a one-semester honors credit course. It is an accelerated, individualized program open to any student which allows students to work with professionals in the community to explore a career field.
To enroll in the course, students must apply and provide recommendations to the Gifted Specialist. A mentorship requires commitment of a minimum of 60 hours with the mentor.

How do I transfer credits from an outside institution?

Book: Rochester Public Schools Procedures

Section: 600 - EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Title: Credit for Learning

Number: 620A.1

Status: Active

Adopted: June 21, 2005

Last Revised: November 10, 2015

Last Reviewed: November 10, 2015

I.	PURPOSE OF PROCEDURES

	The following procedures outline the process for the transfer of academic requirements from other school districts, post-secondary institutions, online learning outside the School District setting, and Credit by Assessment.

II.	STEPS TO IMPLEMENT

	A.	Transfer of Academic Requirements from Other School Districts

		The high school principal or principal designee will be responsible for carrying out the process to award credit for these purposes. The following guidelines will inform the decision-making process.

		1.	When Where there is a transcript from an accredited school, commensurate course credits and grades will be transferred to the student’s local record.

		2.	Honors credit will be awarded in situations where the official school transcript refers to the course as ‘honors.’ At any time during the process, the high school principal or principal designee may ask for course descriptions, syllabi, or work samples from a course where honors credit is in question. In the event that a transferring course ‘could’ be considered ‘honors,’ but it is not designated as such on the student’s transcript, the student may appeal to the District Gifted and Talented Coordinator Office of Curriculum and Instruction, who will review the appeal with the High School Honors Committee.

		3.	Coursework based predominantly on religious instruction may be considered for elective credit only.

		4.	At any time during the process, the high school principal or principal designee may ask for course descriptions, syllabi, or work samples from a course where credit is in question. Credit will not be provided until requested documentation is available for review.

	B.	Transfer of Academic Requirements from Post-Secondary Enrollment Options

		The high school principal or principal designee will be responsible for carrying out the process to award credit through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options. The following guidelines will inform the decision-making process.

		1.	Course credit can be considered only upon presentation of a certified transcript from an accredited college.

		2.	College Course		Rochester Public School Credit
			5-credit course		1.25
			4-credit course		1.0
			3-credit course		.75
			2-credit course		.5
			1-credit course		.25

		3.	When it is determined that the content of the college course aligns directly with a required course for high school graduation, the credit and grade will be recorded on the transcript.

		4.	In the event the content of the college course does not fully align with the content of a required high school course, the registrar may provide elective credit and the grade will be recorded on the transcript.

		5.	Honors credit will be awarded in situations where the official school transcript refers to the course as ‘honors.’ In the event that a transferring course ‘could’ be considered ‘honors,’ but it is not designated as such on the student’s transcript, the student may appeal to the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, who will review the appeal with the High School Honors Committee. Course syllabus and samples of student work will be required to file an appeal to the Office of Curriculum and Instruction.

		6.	At any time during the process, the high school principal or principal designee may ask for course descriptions, syllabi, or work samples from a course where credit is in question. Credit will not be provided until requested documentation is available for review.

	C.	Transfer of Credit for Online Learning Courses

		The high school principal or principal designee will be responsible for carrying out the process to award credit through online learning courses completed outside of the school setting.

		1.	Course credit can be considered only upon official documentation from the online learning provider or sponsoring institution.

		2.	When a student provides documentation from an online provider which has been pre-approved by the Minnesota Department of Education, the course credit and course grade shall be recorded.

		3.	When a student provides documentation from an online provider which has not been pre-approved by the Minnesota Department of Education, the student is required to provide documentation of the learning, including the course syllabus, student work samples, and any relevant documentation by the online provider. When a student receives credit under this provision, the grade from the online provider will be recorded on the high school transcript.

		4.	At any time during the process, the guidance counselor or registrar may ask for course descriptions, syllabi, or work samples from a course where credit is in question. Credit will not be provided until requested documentation is available for review.

	D.	Transfer of Credit for “Credit by Assessment”

		1.	Students can receive credit for selected high school courses offered by the District in which the student is able to demonstrate the standards for the course have been met by the student prior to enrollment in the class.

		2.	Grades will be awarded for any passed examination as follows:
			a.	90-100% will receive an “A.”
			b.	80-89% will receive a “B.”
			c.	79% and below will not receive credit or a grade.
			d.	Students have the right to refuse the grade and credit prior to the grade being posted to the transcript.

		3.	Tests may only be taken once.

		4.	Students may take up to 3 tests on any given testing date, if time permits.

		5.	Credits will be used to fulfill the RPS graduation requirements.

		6.	World Language: A student who successfully tests out of a world language course will be awarded credit for all courses preceding the one in which he/she successfully tested (i.e., a student successfully completing German II would receive credit and a “pass” for German I; student successfully testing out of German III would receive credit and a “pass” for German I and II.)

		7.	Placement in courses is at the discretion of the Registrar.

		8.	Two testing dates will be scheduled for each year, unless otherwise approved by the Superintendent or designee. Requests for additional testing dates will only be considered for seniors – and only until April 1^st of their graduating year.

		9.	Procedure and Implementation:
			a.	The student will discuss the request for course credit with his/her teacher, counselor, registrar, and/or Gifted staff.
			b.	If deemed appropriate, the student will complete an application for participation in the Credit By Assessment process.
			c.	The completed application is signed by the student, parent/guardian, and the guidance counselor.
			d.	The application is forwarded by the guidance counselor to the Office of Curriculum and Instruction.
			e.	It is understood that the student is ready to begin the assessment process when the application is submitted.
			f.	The Office of Curriculum and Instruction sends to the student (via the counselor) an overview of the test; any available study materials; and information on the testing date, time, and location.
			g.	The student takes the Credit by Assessment test.
			h.	A high school teacher corrects the test and submits the testing materials and results to the Office of Curriculum and Instruction.
			i.	The Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction validates the test results and returns the original application form to the high school registrar.
			j.	The high school guidance counselor informs the parent/guardian and student of the results. The original documentation is stored in the student’s cumulative folder.
			k.	When a student successfully completes the Credit by Assessment process, the registrar records a grade of “A” for 90-100% or a “B” for 80-89% on the student’s transcript.

		10.	Assessments available will be reviewed and/or created as part of the curriculum review cycle. Not all courses currently have Credit by Assessment options.

		11.	A student may attempt to test out of a specific course only once and may not test out of a course in which he/she has been previously, or is currently, enrolled. (Credit by Assessment cannot be used for grade replacement.)

		12.	As a result of the assessments, one of the following will occur:
			a.	No credit will be awarded, and the student will remain registered in the course.
			b.	Credit will be awarded and the student may enroll in a different course or in the next level for the following school year.
				i.	No student will be allowed to withdraw from a required class before the assessment has been successfully completed.
				ii.	If the student completes the assessment process for a course in a satisfactory manner, the student’s transcript will show the earned course grade of “A” or “B.”
				iii.	The student must continue to maintain full-time status as a student in accordance with District policy.

		13.	Exceptions may only be made by the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction or the Superintendent.

	E.	Middle School Courses

		1.	If the student takes a high school level course (e.g.; Geometry, Intermediate Algebra) while in middle school and successfully completes the course, the credit will be given, and the grade will count toward GPA and class rank.

		2.	If transferring, the student would need to provide the high school transcript, course guide, and/or registrar’s phone number.

	F.	Transferring Credit from Outside Providers

		Rochester Public Schools recognizes credits completed through outside providers if District requirements are met. (Credit courses are defined as offered classes - both classroom and online - recommended for high school or college credit by the outside provider.)

		1.	Accredited U.S. schools and/or colleges/universities (North Central or similarly accredited)
			a.	Students may transfer in courses taken through accredited institutions.
			b.	Students may be registered for more than seven courses per term only if the extra courses are paid for by the student.
			c.	The grade received by the student for a course taken in addition to a full-time student load (3.5 credits per semester) will be used to compute the student’s GPA and will qualify for an honor’s diploma (if applicable), but do not qualify for a weighted grade.
			d.	Students may transfer summer credit courses successfully completed through an accredited institution; however, 1c above still applies.
			e.	Mental health and juvenile justice programs are credit-bearing through public schools. A minimum of 60 documented hours equals .5 credit. Courses may be given a letter grade or a “pass.”

		2.	UMTYMP (University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program)
			a.	If course is taken prior to 9th grade, credit will be given, and the grade will count toward grade point average (GPA) and class rank.
			b.	If course is taken during high school, credit will be given and grade will count toward cumulative GPA and class rank.
			c.	The courses above Algebra are factored as honors courses.

		3.	Home School Students
			a.	Courses taken from accredited institutions will be accepted according to previous section (1).
			b.	Courses taken from non-accredited institutions must be accompanied with a copy of the curriculum used, tests given, and results achieved. The courses will be reviewed by the registrars (and other school officials, if necessary) to determine if the course meets the RPS content requirements. Students may be asked to take a District assessment to determine credits and/or placement. These courses are not eligible for an honors diploma or honors credit.
			c.	If the student wants a Rochester Public Schools diploma, he/she must be enrolled as a full-time RPS student (or enrolled in an approved alternative program) for their full last semester.
			d.	Grades will be recorded as pass/no credit if no reliable grading scale is provided.

		4.	For-profit and other not-for-profit Providers (i.e., Sylvan, Huntington, Kaplan, Boy Scouts)
			a.	Credit will not be given for this experience.
			b.	Students may choose to demonstrate competencies through the Credit by Assessment process.

		5.	Community Education
			a.	Credit will not be given for this experience.
			b.	Students may choose to demonstrate competencies through the Credit by Assessment process.

		6.	International Schools / Exchange Programs
			a.	Credit will be awarded even if no letter grade is provided.
			b.	Grades will be recorded as pass/no credit if no reliable grading scale is provided.
			c.	Transcripts will be translated into English whenever possible.
			d.	When transcripts are not attainable, student progress will be assessed on an individual basis. An administrative team will be formed to review the situation.
			e.	Rochester students who participate in exchange experiences will receive their credits earned abroad. Letter grades will be recorded if a reliable grading scale is provided.

	G.	Weighted Grades and Honors Diploma

		1.	Weighted Grades
			a.	Beginning with the Class of 2016, grades taken in honors courses taken at a RPS high school (or from an RPS Credit by Examination process) will be weighted based on a formula that provides an additional amount per credit but that does not pertain to the student’s current GPA - (x 1.25).
			b.	Beginning with the class of 2016, grades from courses transferred from any other institution or experience outside of the full-time course load will not be weighted.

		2.	Honors Diploma
			a.	Students successfully passing 24 semester credits of RPS weighted classes with an “A” or a “B” will be given an Honors diploma and an Honors cord for graduation.

What are the different ways to earn college credit during high school?

I am interested in a specific career, what should I consider?

What is CTECH?

What is PTECH?

What is Credit By Assessment?

Credit by Assessment allows students to “test out” of a subject by demonstrating competency through both written and performance-based assessments of the objectives in a given course. See your counselor for additional information, an application to apply for Credit by Assessment, the date the tests will be administered (twice per school year) or the district website Credit by Assessment. Students will receive a letter grade for Credit by Assessment tests. The following tests are available:

More information can be found on our Web site

How do I contact counselors?

Frequently Asked Questions