The Lighthouse Experience

Lighthouse students come from all over the Twin Cities to experience learning that engages, inspires and prepares them for their unique career, college and life paths.

This is not a traditional school.

The Lighthouse learning model emphasizes autonomy with purpose. Here are some things Lighthouse students can expect:

Flexible use of time, space and resources. Students work toward mastering both academic and career and life competencies using time, space and resources flexibly. Each day is comprised of three blocks of time. Students design their own day that includes facilitator-guided individual work time and collaborative small group work time with peers. Students also have access to classes at Spring Lake Park High School and may choose a mix of courses and Lighthouse learning time.
Inquiry-based learning grounded in student passions. Students engage in topics not previously examined and are guided in their inquiries by facilitators who ensure students develop academic, career and life skills they will need to prepare them for their futures. Students complete inquiry projects throughout the school year as well as collaborative inquiry-based learning work.
Personalized learning. Each student has individual learning goals that are supported by their learner profile. The profile articulates a student’s strengths, interests and areas of growth and it evolves with them.
An environment designed to meet the unique needs of gifted students. We understand and respond to the attitudes, emotions and tendencies of gifted learners to support their development and prepare them for life beyond K-12 education.
A community of peers. Since there is no grade-level separation at Lighthouse, students spend their day with multi-age peers who are doing work at a similar level and interest. Inquiry learning offers a variety of entry points and ways to engage at multiple levels.

Extended Learning Days

Periodically throughout the year, Lighthouse students engage in an Extended Learning Day. On these days, students do not come to Lighthouse. They engage in authentic learning outside of our school walls. Students do work related to their inquiry project that can’t easily be done in the classroom such as library research, talking with an expert, conducting experiments or going on a field trip.

These days are designed to encourage students to pursue inquiry to their natural curiosity’s end with their families out in the community. These days are not designed for daily work expectations nor are they designed to play catch-up. If a student is using their time wisely at Lighthouse, they should not have homework.

If a student is taking class at Spring Lake Park High School, they must still attend class on Extended Learning Days.

Extended Learning Days are set at the beginning of each academic year, communicated with Lighthouse students and families and posted on the Lighthouse calendar.

High school and college courses and credits

Lighthouse students have a variety of options for honors, Advanced Placement courses and other course offerings that provide opportunities for both high school and college credit. Students who graduate from Lighthouse School meet Spring Lake Park Schools graduation requirements. They do this by earning the required credits through a variety of paths.

Concurrent enrollment at Spring Lake Park High School

Students may enroll at Lighthouse and Spring Lake Park High School at the same time and move back and forth between schools.

High school course registration for the next academic year generally kicks of early in the calendar year and will be communicated with Lighthouse students and families. Families by browse the course catalog at any time. Nearly 50 courses offered at Spring Lake Park High School provide opportunities for college credit in addition to meeting high school graduation requirements.

Spring Lake Park High School also coffers nearly 40 courses across three different career and college pathways. The pathways are: Health and Human Services; Technology, Engineering and Design; and Business and Entrepreneurship. Each pathway represents a need for future jobs. Pathways course provides support for career exploration and many courses also offer college credit opportunities.

Students taking classes at the high school are still required to complete Lighthouse expectations, however they are able to work with their advisor to determine what work completed within the high school class can be exchanged for specific expectations within Lighthouse.

Students in grades 7 and 8, who have shown they are ready, may enroll in one Spring Lake Park High School course concurrently.

Credit by assessment

Credit by assessment means students may gain credit for prior learning. This option is available to students who have previously mastered the content, standards, knowledge and skills of a course needed for high school graduation.

Students may have learned the content through out-of-school learning experiences or courses taken through accredited institutions e.g. Concordia Language Camp or Northwestern University’s Gifted Learning Links.

Students are able to demonstrate their mastery in several ways: an Advanced Placement exam score of 3 or better; a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) passing score; grades from an accredited institution; or, meeting with their advisor and the Lighthouse coordinator to establish an alternative method of demonstrating mastery.

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

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.

Extra-curricular activities and athletics

Beyond the normal school day, Lighthouse students may participate in athletic and extra-curricular activities within Spring Lake Park Schools through the Athletics and Activities office or Community Education.