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Earning College Credits

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At Richfield High School, we have tremendous faith in the ability of our students to succeed at high levels.

College and university tuition is expensive, and we want to help students earn college credit while still in high school. Students can earn college credits by taking University of Minnesota (U of M) courses at Richfield High School through the College in the Schools (CIS) program or by taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

We want our students to succeed! If students have questions about CIS or AP courses, they should talk to the course instructor or their school counselor.

College in the Schools (CIS)

Motivated juniors and seniors can earn college credits by taking University of Minnesota (U of M) courses at Richfield High School through the College in the Schools (CIS) program. CIS courses are self-selected and there is no application process. Please note that some may require instructor approval. Students will experience the pace and rigor of U of M courses but will be taught by Richfield High School teachers without leaving the high school. 

We also offer seminar courses for many of our CIS courses, which provide additional support for those students who have never taken a course like this before and might be hesitant.  

Advanced Placement (AP)

The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program provides students the opportunity to earn nationally-recognized college credit while still in high school. The courses are taught at Richfield High School by teachers who have gone through AP training. The College Board provides a host of resources for students, including practice AP exams and lists of colleges and universities that accept AP credit.

Students take an exam at the end of the year and receive a score between 1-5. Scores of three or higher are recognized at many colleges and universities as granting college credit; credit is increased as scores increase.

At Richfield High School, we have tremendous faith in the ability of our students to succeed at high levels. That’s why we are an “AP For All” school, offering 9th-grade AP Human Geography for all students. Through expert teaching and lots of support, we prepare our students to continue with rigorous coursework throughout high school. We also offer seminar courses for some of our AP courses, including AP Human Geography, which provides additional support for those students who have never taken an AP course before and may be hesitant to take one.  

Post-secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

PSEO is a program that allows students in grades 10-12 to enroll in college courses at eligible colleges and universities. Students earn both college and high school credit by successfully completing the course(s). Most PSEO courses are offered on the college or university campus, although some are online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Juniors and seniors may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis. Sophomores are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis. 

Richfield Spartan logo: gray helmet in red diamond with black background

DANIELLE JASTROW

COUNSELOR, Grade 10, Class of 2027
Richfield High School

MORGAN KELLEY HERTZ

COUNSELOR, Grade 9, Class of 2028
Richfield High School

SARA LINDE

COUNSELOR, Grade 12, Class of 2025
Richfield High School

JESSICA OKEY

COUNSELOR, Grade 11, Class of 2026
Richfield High School

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