Earning College Credit While Attending Sault Area High School

Getting a headstart on college credits during high school will save students money, impress college admissions departments, and offer you greater degree flexibility. Earning college credits in high school is a great way for students to take initiative, strengthen their chances of admission, explore their interests, or try something new. By gaining credits toward a degree while still in high school, students can graduate faster, spend less money, and position themselves for success.

There are several ways to earn college credit while still in high school, including taking college classes, AP classes, testing out of requirements, career center classes, and early middle college programs. Explore the options available at Sault Area High School below.

Embry, Meg. “How To Earn College Credits While In High School.” TheBestSchools.org, 17 Aug. 2022, https://thebestschools.org/resources/how-to-earn-college-credits-in-high-school/.

Advanced Placement Classes                 

Developed by CollegeBoard, a national education nonprofit, advanced placement (AP) classes prepare students for college-level tests in over 30 subjects. Learners who pass AP tests at the end of the year receive college credits that are applicable at institutions in North America.

High schools with AP programs usually offer classes in key competency areas like English language composition, U.S. history, computer science, chemistry, and music theory. Most exams cost $95, but students in financial need may be eligible for fee reductions. Exams occur in May each year and score students on a 1-5 scale.

Credit and admission policies for AP students vary by college or university. CollegeBoard reports that most schools offer placement or credits for students with scores of three or higher, but it's good to check with your intended school to get its exact policies.

Embry, Meg. “How To Earn College Credits While In High School.” TheBestSchools.org, 17 Aug. 2022, https://thebestschools.org/resources/how-to-earn-college-credits-in-high-school/.

AP Courses offered here at Sault Area High School Include:

AP Literature (Also Concurrent Enrollment - See Concurrent Enrollment Section for Further Details)*** 
AP Language 
AP World History
AP US History
AP Biology
AP Psychology
AP Computer Science Principles 

AP Credit Policy Search

Your students' AP scores could earn them college credit or advanced placement (meaning you could skip certain courses in college). Use this tool to find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores.

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies/

Concurrent Enrollment                                 

Concurrent enrollment occurs when a student takes a course at their high school but gets college credit for it, taught by the high school teacher. While each program is unique, one-year-long concurrent courses often earn students college credits for the university course. 

High schools must have a partnership with a college or university to have a concurrent enrollment program. In the case of Sault Area High School, our partnership is with Lake Superior State University. These classes are available with no tuition cost for the student. 

Contact your students' counselor to determine if concurrent enrollment is a good choice for your student.

Bisio, Kyle. “Dual Enrollment vs Concurrent Enrollment: What's The Difference?” MSU Denver, 16 Nov. 2022, https://www.msudenver.edu/dual-enrollment-vs-concurrent-enrollment-whats-the-difference/.

Concurrent Courses offered here at Sault Area High School in Conjunction with Lake Superior State University Include:  

AP Literature (Concurrent Credit for ENGL 110 & 111) 
College Native American Literature (Concurrent Credit for ENGL 235)
College Chemistry (Concurrent Credit for CHEM 115)

Dual Enrollment

Unlike AP or Concurrent options, which all offer preparatory instruction intended for high school students in their current high school, dual enrollment means you enroll in full college classes and take those classes at the college or university campus while still attending high school. Learners complete college-level assignments on the course and receive credit that applies to both their high school diplomas and subsequent college degrees.

Students interested in dual enrollment should consult their high school counselors to learn about their options and determine which courses to pursue. Each college differs in how it handles instruction for dual enrollment, so it's best to do your own research. Some programs offer online options to increase accessibility.

Please reach out to your students' counselor to determine if dual enrollment is the best option for your student. 

Embry, Meg. “How To Earn College Credits While In High School.” TheBestSchools.org, 17 Aug. 2022, https://thebestschools.org/resources/how-to-earn-college-credits-in-high-school/.

https://www.mitransfer.org/search-courses

Early Middle College                         

The Early College Program offered at Sault High is a partnership between LSSU and Sault Area High School. This five-year high school program allows a student to earn a high school diploma and college credits leading up to an associate degree from LSSU or a technical certificate. The current program of study being offered in the EMC program between LSSU & SAHS is in Criminal Justice. 

Students interested in applying must be a current high school sophomore attending Sault High (and successfully complete) the one-credit Early College University Seminar course during the spring semester. 

All applicants will be required to complete an application. Admission to the Early College will be based upon several factors, some of which include:

• Successful completion of a one-credit University Seminar course - Career Readiness (USEM 101 at Sault High Career Tech Center) 
• Principal/counselor recommendation
• High school GPA

Early Middle College in Michigan

Students officially start the three-year Early College program during the first semester of their junior year. Students cannot join the program after count day, as they must be coded as Early College at the high school.

Classes will be held at Sault Area High School & Career Center and on LSSU’s campus.

The students' official high school diploma will be awarded after successfully completing their last math class during the last year of the program (their 5th year at Sault High).

This program is designed to support students by providing services that will help them be successful in their college courses. Students will learn and develop strategies practiced by successful college students through the university seminar course. Additional support will be provided by high school counselors, LSSU academic advisors, faculty, and the Early College Coordinator. Early college students will also have access to LSSU tutors and mentors.

Students should contact their high school guidance counselor & career center for an application and additional information.

“Eastern Upper Peninsula (EUP) Early College Program.” Lake Superior State University, 5 Dec. 2022, https://www.lssu.edu/early-college-program/#toggle-id-1-closed.