Course Offerings

Each student at the high school has a 4-year plan in Infinite Campus. The plan is updated and adjusted each year as students learn more about their interests and think more deeply about future plans.

Current 8th graders will create their initial 4-year plan for high school on February 1 when high school counselors visit 8^th graders at Westwood Middle School.

Current 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th graders will review and revise their 4-year plan during the school day’s Panther Time in collaboration with their counselor. Updates can happen any time, and the goal is to use this registration season as a time to refine your choices and path.

Credit Requirements for Graduation

There are many ways to achieve the credits necessary to graduate. Student must have enough courses and credits in their core areas: English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Math. Electives cover a range of requirements and include courses in World Language, Fine Arts (including Art and Music), Physical Education, Career and College Pathways Courses and many more.

*NOTE: A new course requirement for the Class of 2028 and 2029 is Personal Finance and Money Management (1 credit). This equates to: 48 Required Credits, 16 Elective Credits (minimum) = 64 Total Credits (minimum). 

Graduating with Academic Honors

At the time of commencement, students are recognized in various ways for their cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) and for the academic rigor of their coursework.

A minimum of 29 credits of “high rigor” coursework are needed for students to graduate with Academic Distinction. At least four of those credits must have been earned in Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 of the senior year. The Grade Point Average (GPA) used to calculate graduation honors will be calculated at the end of Trimester 2. Courses of high rigor include all honors courses, advance math pathways, all Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and embedded, College In the Schools (CIS) and articulated courses taken for college credit.

4-Year Planning

A student’s 4-year plan should take into consideration the various requirements at any post-secondary institutions they are considering after they graduate:

You can start exploring registration materials now, including:

an interactive course guide, a registration guide, graduation requirements and much more. As you explore:

• Pay special attention to graduation requirements, course sequence and opportunities to take rigorous courses.

• Consult with your teachers. Your teachers should be making recommendations about courses you should take next. Please consider their recommendations carefully, as they know your academic strengths and needs.

• Consider your post-secondary goals.

• Use your support system. Share your plans with your family and share any questions or concerns with your counselor.

Modes of learning - in-person, hybrid and online

Students have choices in how they learn. Many courses are offered in multiple modes – in-person, hybrid or online. All students have the ability to choose:

• In-person, classroom-based courses that meet five days per week at school.
• Online courses, available through SLP Schools Online, delivered primarily through asynchronous (on-demand) learning experiences.

Students can mix and match modes of learning by course or choose courses in all one learning mode as they design their schedules.

Full-time online

SLP Schools Online offers a full-time online learning option for students in grades 9-12. The online high school experience provides students choice in the time, place, path and pace of their learning as they develop both academic and life competencies aligned to state standards. Spring Lake Park High School teachers facilitate learning primarily through asynchronous, “on demand,” learning experiences. Virtual “live” sessions and/or small group learning experiences may be designed into each course. Each student is assigned a learning advocate, an SLP teacher, who checks in with students and families periodically to understand a student’s progress and provide direct learning support.

Watch recorded presentations by February 14, 2025. These presentations are the same if you attend in-person sessions, WebEx sessions or watch them on this webpage. 

Stay tuned for presentations. 

 

 

Students will officially register for courses online in Infinite Campus. Registration opens January 13, 2025 and closes February 14, 2025.

A confirmation of next year’s course selections will be sent to homes in the month of April. Contact your counselor with any change requests. Final course schedules will be provided to students in August before the first day of school.

Teams for 9^th and 10^th graders are designed to offer a supported transition into high school by fostering strong relationships between a common group of students and teachers. Students are placed on teams for their four core courses – English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Teams are about 100-120 students. By knowing students more deeply, teachers are able to personalize student learning based on their understanding of their students as learners.

All students have the ability to choose:

• In-person, classroom-based courses that meet five days per week at school.
• Online courses, available through SLP Schools Online, delivered primarily through asynchronous (on-demand) learning experiences.

 Students can mix and match modes of learning by course or choose courses in all one learning mode as they design their schedules.

SLP Schools Online offers a full-time online learning option for students in grades 9-12. The online high school experience provides students choice in the time, place, path and pace of their learning as they develop both academic and life competencies aligned to state standards.

Spring Lake Park High School teachers facilitate learning primarily through asynchronous, “on demand,” learning experiences. Virtual “live” sessions and/or small group learning experiences may be designed into each course. Each student is assigned a learning advocate, an SLP teacher, who checks in with students and families periodically to understand a student’s progress and provide direct learning support.

Students at all grade levels can choose to co-create their own learning experience with a teacher to achieve identified academic and life competencies. Learning is designed to help the student earn high school credit in identified subject areas and connect a student’s passions outside of school and their goals for career and college. 

Key highlights:

• Courses can be designed as trimester or yearlong project-based courses.
• Learning can happen in a variety of places and ways and is primarily independent learning through research, reading, listening, viewing, participating, and creating.
• The teacher is a learning advocate and responsible for supporting and guiding the student on their learning journey. 

Students have the opportunity to waive a course, or receive course credit, for knowledge they acquire outside the standard course curriculum. The experience must meet current Minnesota academic standards. Students may pursue credit in two ways:

• Credit by Assessment - In credit by assessment, students demonstrate the course learning outcomes prior to enrollment in a course by taking an examination.
• Credit by Portfolio - Credit by portfolio is an option that high school students have for attaining course learning outcomes through an approved learning experience.

Students who are interested in either of these options must, along with their parent, consult with their counselor. Requests will be reviewed on an individual basis. The principal or designee in consultation with the student, counselor and a teacher for the specified content area determine whether a course will be waived, or credit will be granted.

Students who have been involved in the Spring Lake Park Schools Spanish Immersion and Juntos programming are welcomed to Spring Lake Park High School (SLPHS) with a series of rigorous and engaging courses instructed in the target language of Spanish. High school courses meet and extend student's language acquisition.

• Placement in high school courses: In the spring of the 8^th grade year, students take the AAPPL (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages). Based on results, students are placed in college-level Spanish classes at the high school.
• High school schedule: Students will have one class in the target language of Spanish each year at the high school, assuming they place into it.
• College credits: Through our partnership with Minnesota State Mankato, students may earn MNSCU college credits for College Intermediate Spanish 101, 102, 201, 202 and 210. Advanced Placement Spanish Literature and Culture is also offered for college credit potential.
• Bilingual seal: Beginning in 11^th grade, students have an opportunity to test and obtain their bilingual seal, a recognition of their proficiency in Spanish.
• Internship opportunities: In the 12^th grade, students have access to additional opportunities for Spanish-speaking internships within the SLP pathways for teacher training, Opportunities in Emergency Care, and business.

For students involved in immersion or Juntos programming, our goal is for each graduate to leave our school bilingual and biliterate and English and Spanish. 

INMERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL Y EL PROGRAMA “JUNTOS”

Los alumnos que participaron en el programa de inmersión en español y el programa que se llama “Juntos” tienen la oportunidad de tomar una serie de cursos interesantes y rigurosos en español cuando llegan a los grados 9-12. Estos cursos toman en cuenta su nivel actual del español y les apoyan con su desarrollo continuo del idioma.

• Cursos ofrecidos en los grados 9-12: En la primavera del octavo grado, estos alumnos tomarán el examen “AAPPL,” que mide su progreso hacia ser proficiente en el idioma español. Según sus resultados, los alumnos pueden llegar a tener la oportunidad de tomar clases en español de nivel universitario durante los grados 9-12.
• El horario escolar en los grados 9-12: Con tal de que saquen los resultados requeridos del examen AAPPL, los alumnos tendrán una clase en español cada año escolar durante los grados 9-12.
• Créditos universitarios: Gracias a nuestra colaboración con la universidad de Minnesota State Mankato, los alumnos pueden ganar créditos universitarios durante los grados 9-12 cuando toman los cursos de español 101, 102, 201, 202 y 210. También existen cursos avanzados de literatura y cultura español que pueden contar para créditos universitarios.
• El sello bilingüe: Empezando con el grado once, los alumnos tienen la oportunidad de usar sus resultados del examen AAPPL para obtener un “sello bilingüe,” que es un reconocimiento de su nivel avanzado del español.
• Oportunidades de ser aprendiz: En el grado doce, los alumnos tienen acceso a oportunidades en español para ser aprendiz en los áreas de educación (entrenamiento para ser maestro/a), el cuido médico de emergencia, y los negocios.

Nuestra meta para los alumnos que participaron en el programa de inmersión en español y el programa que se llama “Juntos” es que se gradúen de nuestra escuela siendo bilingüe, con la habilidad de leer y escribir en los dos idiomas de ingles y español.

 

We have three different levels of service for students identified as English Learners. Entrance, placement, and exit from services is determined by teacher recommendation and the ACCESS for ELs test administered every February.

Level 1 (newcomer): Students with beginning levels of proficiency are placed in a newcomer class (ELD 1) that provides intensive and direct instruction on the social and instructional language needed for academic success. This is a two-hour block of classes that is also accompanied by three elective classes in the student’s schedule that also help them to begin to acquire conversational English. An additional support hour is also recommended. Students receive elective credit for completion of ELD 1 classes.

Level 2 (intermediate proficiency): Students with an intermediate proficiency are placed in at least one of the following sheltered classes. These courses allow students to develop their academic language skills while working towards the grade-level Minnesota content standards. Instructional strategies include teaching vocabulary, providing additional reading and writing supports, and using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic supports to deepen understanding of the language and content.

• Language of Humanities (ELA credit)
• ELA 9/10 (ELA credit)
• ELA 11 (ELA credit)
• Human Geography/Civics (Social Studies credit)
• US History (Social Studies credit)

Level 3 (advanced proficiency): Students with an advanced proficiency in the English language are enrolled in a support hour where they receive support in organizing and mastering course work for other classes. Students also have opportunities to engage in language lessons that help them to be successful in their other classes. Elective credit is given for participating in the language lessons and other coursework.

Career Pathways courses provide students with an opportunity to explore different careers as they gain skills, work on real-world projects and even earn college credit. Through pathways courses, students have a chance to see if a career path is of interest – or not – and gain experiences to help them make better decisions for their path after high school.

There are three Career Pathways that each represent a predicted need for future jobs. Students can take courses in one pathway – or all three.

Business and Entrepreneurship
Experience the many careers within the varying types of business, from startups to small businesses and corporations to nonprofits. Explore marketing, finance, leadership, business management, analytics and other sectors. Gain skills to thrive in the business world.

 

Technology, Engineering & Design
Explore the advances and innovation within the design, engineering, and information systems fields. Through hands-on experiences with simulations, projects, case studies, and guest instructors, students also gain collaboration skills critical to success in today’s workforce. 

 

Health & Human Services
Explore careers that meet the basic needs of our communities, including medicine, public health, social services and education. This pathway gives students several opportunities for hands-on learning in the field. 

 

Learn more about Career and College Pathways

Increasingly, any path beyond high school requires some exposure to college-level rigor.  Our goal is for each graduate to an opportunity to earn 12 college credits by the end of the 12th grade – without leaving their Spring Lake Park High School experience. There are many routes to achieving 12 by 12.

Research shows that completion of one semester of college-level work results in higher success at the post-secondary level, regardless of what path you take. College-level rigor is preparation for 2-year, 4-year and technical jobs. It also makes financial sense. Earning college credits now saves money in the future.

As you explore courses, look for the 12x12 symbol. That will tell you if college credit is available. There are many different options for earning college credits.

• Advanced Placement (AP) - AP courses are some of the most widely accepted college-level academic experiences available to high school students. Credit is not guaranteed; it depends on your AP Exam score and each college sets their own score marker for obtaining credit. AP courses are the ONLY weighted courses at the high school using an added .5 weight. Learn more about AP.
• Pathways courses - Year-long Pathways courses are designed to embed college credit options while also providing hands-on learning experience in a career field. These courses provide an opportunity to see if you actually like a particular career field such as engineering, business, or healthcare and help you make a better decision about what type of college or certification you may want to do after high school. Learn more about Pathways.
• Project Lead the Way – These are engineering courses for which students can apply for credit through the University of Minnesota or St. Cloud State University. Each course requires a passing grade on the end-of-course assessment.
• Articulated College Credit - Articulation agreements allow students to earn a certificate of completion from the partnering college. College credits are typically awarded if you attend that specific college after graduation.
• College in the Schools (CIS) - CIS is a collaborative program offered through the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Students in CIS are concurrently enrolled—taking a college course at Spring Lake Park High School. Learn more about CIS.
• Embedded College - Students have the opportunity to start their college careers early by taking rigorous, college-level classes in the high school. Assessment will determine eligibility for the Concurrent Enrollment Program. Partnering programs include Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Bethel University, and Mankato State University. Learn more about Embedded College.

Spring Lake Park Schools is a member of Intermediate District 916 along with 13 other school districts. Through this partnership, Spring Lake Park High School students have access to 916’s Career and Tech offerings. These include 20 programs that give high school students professional skills, industry certifications, and in many programs, college credit. These courses give students a start on post-secondary success while earning high school elective credit. Students attend for 105 minutes and spend the remainder of their day at their home high school taking their required core classes. Courses include:

• Cosmetology: General, 3 to 12 credits
• Cosmetology: Nail Technology & Esthiology (skin), 12 credits
• Hospitality Careers: Intro (grades 10-12)
• Automotive and Welding Careers: Intro: 4 credits 
• Diesel Trucks and Engine Technology: 7 credits at DCTC
• Animal Science and Natural Resources: 6 credits
• Automotive Technology: Up to 14 credits
• Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement: 9 credits
• Dental Careers: (grade 12), 9 credits
• Phlebotomy: (grade 12)

AVID is an elective program at the high school for students enrolled in advanced courses, in the academic middle and college bound.  The program helps students to build academic, career and life skills used in high school and beyond. 

A normal week in AVID elective consists of two days of skill-building in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading. Two days of tutorials and other activities that support their thinking in core classes and one day of exploration into future planning such as career and college. 

Students build their executive functioning, organizational and academic skills.  They develop test-taking strategies, access support for AP, honors and college credit bearing courses as well as gain exposure to colleges and careers through tours, guest speakers and class activities. 

To join, students must complete and return an application and complete a short interview. (Use QR code below to access the application.) For more information contact your counselor or Ms. Switzer lswitz@district16.org.
 

 

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college nonsectarian courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th graders are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis (see note below). Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. If a school district determines a pupil is not on track to graduate, she/he may continue to participate in PSEO on a term by term basis.

By March 1 of each year, or three weeks prior to the date a student registers for courses for the following school year (whichever is earlier), schools must provide PSEO information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families. To assist the district in planning, a student must inform the district by May 30 of each year of their intent to enroll in postsecondary courses during the following school year.

There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course; however, students may incur fees for equipment that becomes their property when the course or program is completed, textbooks that are not returned to the postsecondary institution according to their policies, or for tuition costs if they do not notify the district by May 30 and the district does not waive this date requirement.

Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. For more information on these funds, access the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions.

Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.

School districts must allow a PSEO student reasonable access to the high school building, computers and/or other technology resources during regular school hours to participate in PSEO courses, whether on-line or on campus.

Each year, districts must publish their grade-weighting policy on their website, including a list of courses for which students can earn weighted grades.

All courses taken through the PSEO program must meet graduation requirements. Districts must transcript credits earned in PSEO by a ratio prescribed in statute. Districts have the authority to decide which subject area and standards the PSEO course meets. If there is a dispute between the district and the student regarding the number of credits granted for a particular course, the student may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner. The commissioner's decision regarding the number of credits will be final. 

Postsecondary institutions are required to allow PSEO students to enroll in online courses consistent with the institution’s policy regarding postsecondary student enrollment in online courses.

Tenth-grade students may initially enroll in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) PSEO course if they receive a reading proficiency score of “meets” or “exceeds” on the 8^th grade MCA. If 10th graders taking a CTE PSEO course earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional postsecondary courses. If the student did not take the MCA in 8^th-grade, another reading assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution can be substituted. For students with disabilities, there is an alternative option to demonstrate reading proficiency. 

For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.

The high school currently offers 15 girls’ sports and 15 boys’ sports. Learn more about SLP athletics.

There are currently more than 50 student-based interest clubs and co-curricular activities offered for students. Learn more about each activity.