Registration Planning Information

Each course in the Program of Studies lists instructional delivery method and location. Before choosing a course, students should be sure to review if the course is taught face-to-face, hybrid (part time face-to-face and part time online) or fully online. Additionally, because all students are able to take courses at Lakeville North, Lakeville South or through Lakeville Online Academy, students should carefully check the location of the course offering.

A document entitled, “Credit Check”, is a one-page summary of all requirements for each class designated by year of graduation. The credit check illustrates the forty-four semester credits needed by curricular area, the career portfolio activities to be completed in grades 9-12, and the standardized testing requirements for graduation. Students must meet all the essential components in order to earn a diploma and participate in graduation ceremonies.

Another document created to assist in registration for classes is entitled, “Course Selection Form”. The course selection forms include a list of all courses available by grade level. For instance, the 9th grade course selection form lists all required courses and all electives available to freshmen. Please note, it is important to read each course description in the Program of Studies, as there are prerequisites for many courses. This form is distributed to all students and is available online during registration.

In this guide, courses are listed by department. Each course has a unique course code to define the classes at the High Schools. Each course code can be divided into 6 parts: the department, subject, level, credit, semester and instructional delivery method. These course codes are what you will use to enroll in courses.

For example, below you see the course code LAE-100-11H for English 9, semester 1 taught in a hybrid setting.

In addition to meeting the requirements for graduation, students are encouraged to register for classes that are academically appropriate for future education or entering the workforce after high school. Students wishing to go to four-year colleges are strongly recommended to register for Advanced Placement courses and core courses required for admission. Statistics clearly indicate students who take core classes (English, social studies, math and science) all four years will have improved test scores, which may be the difference in obtaining admission at the postsecondary school of choice. Students wishing to attend technical colleges or enter the workforce are encouraged to look at the many elective offerings in the area most closely associated with their career goals, and to review possible dual credit or articulated credit options.

Students are required to register for a minimum of 12 semester long courses per year. All courses are offered on a semester-long basis. When students register, they are required to indicate alternate choices for electives. Due to space limitations and schedule conflicts, it is extremely important for students to list alternate choices. Courses will only be offered when warranted by enrollment and when appropriate staff is available.

Students who intend to participate in athletics at a Division I or Division II college as a freshman must meet the eligibility requirements established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Eligibility requirements may be obtained through the Assistant Principals’ office or Activities/Athletics website. NCAA courses are approved in 5 areas, Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and World Language. Courses which are NCAA approved are denoted in these sections. Courses in Art, Business, FACs, Physical Education & Health, Music & Stem & Manufacturing do not have approved NCAA courses.

All courses are offered on a semester-long basis. Students receive .5 credit upon successful completion of a semester-long course. Transfer grades (from other high schools, college classes, University of Minnesota Talented Youth Math Program, home school, accelerated learning, online school, etc.) will be reviewed by the School Counselors to determine credit placement. Transfer grades will be used to compute cumulative grade point average (GPA) and class rank. Any student choosing to take more than 50% of their courses online through Lakeville Online Academy will be a Lakeville Online Academy student.

Schedule corrections are based on need and availability of courses. Students have three days after the start of the semester to request schedule corrections. Exceptions may be made at the Counselor's discretion if special needs or other factors exist. Students are expected to remain enrolled in six courses each semester. If a special circumstance occurs, a student has the first twenty school days of a semester to withdraw from a course. Beyond twenty days, any course withdrawal will be recorded as a “W” on the student’s record and will negatively affect the student’s GPA.

Any student failing a required course or withdrawing before the end of the semester must repeat the semester course to receive credit. Any student maintaining fewer than five courses per semester is subject to dismissal for the remainder of the semester. Students may not retake a course in an attempt to earn a better grade for any course in which they have earned a passing grade (D- or above).

The State of Minnesota currently requires students to take Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) in reading (grade 10) and math (grade 11) and science (one time in high school). Students are not required to achieve a specified score on an assessment in order to meet graduation assessment requirements. The Minnesota Department of Education requires each school district to develop a College and Career Readiness plan. Lakeville High Schools will continue to provide MCA assessments as directed by the Minnesota Department of Education. Per Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31, subdivision 4a, a parent may exclude their child from MCAs. Parent/Guardian Guide and Refusal to Statewide Testing Form can be found here in multiple languages on the MN Dept. of Education website.

Students may be considered for early graduation if they have successfully met all requirements, including Lakeville High School credit requirements, State of Minnesota testing requirements, and Career Portfolio requirements. Students considering early graduation should meet with their School Counselor or the Lakeville Online Academy Administrator well in advance of their proposed semester of early graduation to discuss options and procedures.

Students who have not fulfilled all graduation requirements are not eligible to participate in the ISD 194 commencement ceremony.

Senior academic honors recognition is awarded according to the following criteria:

• Summa Cum Laude = 4.0
• Magna Cum Laude = 3.85 – 3.99 GPA
• Cum Laude = 3.7 – 3.84 GPA

Honors recognition will be determined by using the cumulative GPA for each senior at the end of the first semester senior year.

Students who choose to take more than 50% of their classes through Lakeville Online Academy will earn a diploma from Lakeville North or Lakeville South High School. The school from which the diploma is earned is predetermined when a student enters the Lakeville Online Academy program.