Counseling Services

There are many ways students can receive college credit during high school which include: Advanced Placement, Articulated College Credit, College in the Schools and PSEO. 

• All concurrent enrollment courses will be listed on the CIHS transcript.

• Articulated college credits will be verified in a certificate that is given out by the teacher or sent to the student’s home. The certificate may be accepted at colleges other than those listed.

• Students receiving College in the School or PSEO college credit must send transcripts from the college they have received credit from the college they plan to attend after high school. Check with your CIS or PSEO college to find out proper procedure.

• Cambridge-Isanti High School implemented a dual grade point average (GPA) system which includes the reporting of unweighted and weighted GPAs.

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Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) is an internationally recognized program whereby students take classes that provide excellent preparation for the rigors of college. Students that pass the final AP test with a score of 3 or higher may receive college credit for that class. Each college determines the passing score they will accept. Contact the specific college for more information on transferring credits.

Many times one Advanced Placement class taken in high school will allow a student to opt out of at least one college class and possibly more. Regardless of your AP exam score, college admissions administrators take positive note of students who have challenged themselves with more rigorous courses.

Advanced Placement courses offered at CIHS:

• 10th Grade: AP Language/Composition
• 11th Grade: AP US History & AP Literature/Composition
• 12th Grade: AP Literature/Composition

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Articulated College Credit

Articulated College Credit courses are taught at Cambridge-Isanti High School and offer students high school credit as well as college credit. Students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade are eligible for Articulated College Credits, however students are expected to perform at the college level.

Through technical schools, students will receive an Articulated College Credit Certificate of Credit if they meet the requirements. The Articulated College Credit Certificate may be submitted to a college at the time of post-secondary registration to receive college credit.

Cambridge-Isanti High School has Articulated College Credit Agreements with the following Community & Technical Colleges:

• Anoka-Ramsey Community College
• North Hennepin Community College
• Anoka Technical College
• Pine Technical College
• St. Cloud Technical College
• Hennepin Technical College

Articulated College Credit courses offered at CIHS:

• Auto 1

• Child Development

• Carpentry & Furniture 

• Early Childhood Education (must complete parts A & B)

• Machining & Manufacturing Process 2

• Intro to Engineering

• Intro to Woods

• Fashion Design

• Intro to Culinary Arts A & B

• Vocational Welding

• Vocational Woods A & B

• Medical Terminology

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College in the Schools

CIHS offers college level courses which allow students to receive high school and college credits simultaneously. These classes are taught by CIHS teachers who have at least a Master’s degree and are taught at the high school. Students are eligible for College in the Schools courses beginning in 11th grade. Because these credits are offered through partnering colleges and universities, other colleges may accept or deny these transfer credits.

Eligibility Requirements:

Please see the Registration Guide for specific course eligibility requirements.

The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Once a student enrolls in a higher education institution, the rights belong to the student, regardless of age. Anoka-Ramsey Community College cannot share academic information without consent from the student.

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Post-Secondary 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 level courses at participating post-secondary institutions.

• 11th and 12th grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis

• 10th graders may take one career/technical PSEO course

  • If the 10th grader earns at least a grade C in the class, they may take additional PSEO courses.

General Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements.  Each participating college or university sets their own requirements for eligibility and enrollment into their PSEO program.

Additional information

• Students interested in PSEO must attend the PSEO Informational meeting held at CIHS in the spring. Students will then meet with their school counselor to complete the required paperwork.

• Application must be completed prior to the trimester you want to enroll; contact college for deadlines.

• Subjects and courses depend on college/university.

• Part-time and full-time enrollments are available.

• Student is responsible for fulfilling high school graduation requirements, including all state testing requirements and the senior exit interview.

• Parents are not notified of their student's attendance or progress at the college.

• PSEO students can participate in high school extracurricular activities and athletics.

• Student is responsible for their own transportation to and from the college.

• There is no charge for PSEO tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course.

• This option is for independent, highly responsible and motivated students.

See the Minnesota Department of Education website for more information.

Common PSEO Schools

• Anoka Ramsey Community College
• St. Cloud State University
• Pine Technical College
• University of Minnesota
• University of Northwestern, St. Paul
• Century College
• Bethel University

Students Applying to PSEO

1. Review the following information:

2. Review the 2023-2024 PSEO Guidelines

3. Research postsecondary institutions that offer PSEO and admission requirements.

4. Apply to postsecondary institution via the postsecondary school's website.

5. Make an appointment with your high school counselor and bring your SIGNED CIHS PSEO Guidelines document. You'll obtain your high school transcript, complete PSEO state form, and discuss classes needed to meet high school requirements.

6. After your application is fully submitted you will hear directly from the college about your acceptance and next steps.

7. Provide a copy of your postsecondary schedule to your high school counselor so that your high school schedule can be adjusted. Courses at the high school will not be dropped until PSEO schedules have been received.

Current PSEO students

Students who plan to continue PSEO at their same college after their first semester of attendance simply need to work with their counselor to complete the PSEO state form (which can be obtained from your school counselor) and submit it to your college along with your CIHS transcript.

Please note, you need to provide your counselor with a copy of your postsecondary schedule so we can adjust your high school courses accordingly. Courses at the high school will not be dropped and attendance will be recorded until PSEO schedules are received.

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Weighted Grading System

Cambridge-Isanti High School uses a dual grade point average (GPA) system. This includes the reporting of unweighted and weighted GPAs. Weighted grades are letter grades in a higher level course (granting college credit) that are assigned additional weight (1.25) when calculating GPA. Weighted courses at CIHS have both internal and external oversight.

Unweighted Grades: All internal transcripts are calculated with unweighted grades. Awards, class rank, and all honors will be based on unweighted GPAs.

Weighted Grades: Transcripts provided for post-secondary admissions and scholarships will report unweighted and weighted GPAs.

No additional weight is given to a course grade that is below a C-. Articulated courses are only given weight when meeting stated criteria for college credit.

Registration is ongoing throughout the school year; however students attending Cambridge-Isanti High School must be referred by their school counselor. See your school counselor if you need to make up a credit.

Night School

• Students must be at least 16 years old to participate.

• There is no transportation provided.

• Students earn credit by completing independent study work.

  • Credits will be accumulated in 0.33, 0.66, or 1 credit portions.

  • 23 hours of work = 0.33 credit. Total hours less than 23 will not be transferred between sessions.

  • 70 hours of quality work completed = 1 credit.

Summer School

• Summer school begins in June. The exact start date is dependent upon which credits are needed and which program your student chooses to participate in. Please know there is not transportation for summer school. Students should set up a meeting with their school counselor if they know that they have failed a 9th grade course, or need credit recovery.

For specific questions, students should contact their counselor. 

Minnesota Department of Education statement on 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, 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 8th grade MCA. If 10th graders taking a CTE PSEO course earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional CTE PSEO courses. If the student did not take the MCA in 8th-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.

Schedule Change Guidelines

Students are encouraged to make careful course selections during registration due to its direct correlation to the development of the master schedule for the upcoming school year. For this reason, only in certain situations can a schedule be changed.

No changes can be made after the deadline (the end of the previous year) unless the request meets one of the following:

• Does not have the prerequisite

• Failed a prerequisite / inappropriate placement

• Medical need (requires official documentation)

• Educational options (i.e. PSEO)

• Computer error

Not all requests for schedule changes can be honored. Examples of requests not honored are:

• Changing teachers

• Changing class hours

• Requesting classes with friends

• Switching due to participation in extracurricular activities 

• Student changing their mind about a class they signed up for

If you have questions or concerns regarding your schedule, please stop into the counseling office or email your school counselor.

Credit Completion provides an opportunity for students who failed a class during the school year with percents of 40-59% (department based). This is offered based on student need and may not be offered each year. Information will be update if it will be offered in the summer of 2025.

Summer School

Summer school begins in June. The exact start date is dependent upon which credits are needed and which program your student chooses to participate in. Please know there is not transportation for summer school. Students should set up a meeting with their school counselor if they know that they have failed a 9th grade course, or need credit recovery. 

9th Grade Summer School Credit Recovery

9th grade summer credit make-up classes will be held at Cambridge-Isanti High School. These classes will provide an additional opportunity for students to earn credits that are needed to graduate from Cambridge-Isanti High School.

• The classes will meet Monday through Friday, for a total of 21 sessions.

• Monday-Thursday will be in person for 2 hours.

• Fridays will be office hours from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm via Google Meet. Students can access their teachers as needed.
• An additional 10 hours of homework must be completed. All assessment activities, packets and projects must be completed in order for the students to receive full credit.
• An enrollment form for summer make-up classes is below. Enrollment is voluntary, but students must pre-register for the session by filling out the registration form and returning it to CIHS Counseling Office. 
• Transportation to and from summer school will be each family’s responsibility.

For ages 16 and older:  Summer make-up classes will be held at Riverside Academy, 1700 305th Ave NE Isanti. These classes will provide an additional opportunity for students to earn credits required for graduation.

• English and Social Studies: Tuesday/Wednesday for a total of 7 sessions (2 hour sessions).
  Students will need to do 55 hours of homework plus the7 sessions to earn the full credit.
• Math/Science/Independent Studies: Thursday only for a total of 4 sessions (3.5 hour sessions).
• Students will need to do 55 hours of homework plus the 5 sessions to earn the full credit.
• An enrollment form is required. Enrollment is voluntary, but students must pre-register by completing the registration form and returning it to the counseling office.

Smoking & Vaping Resources

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Drug & Nicotine Information

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Our mission is to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health.

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids – Where Families Find Answers

Committed to supporting the whole family as they address every aspect of substance use and addiction, from prevention to recovery.

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

The agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

Nemours KidsHealth

We aim to give families the tools and confidence to make the best health choices.

Recovery Resources

Cassava Free Addiction Recovery App

Promises Behavioral Health is an owner of a series of behavioral health programs located throughout the United States. The Promises Behavioral Health® family of programs offers comprehensive, innovative treatment for substance abuse, sexual addiction, trauma, eating disorders, and other mental health disorders.

Chemical Health Assessment and Treatment Facilities 

Serenity Circle
201 West Main Street, Isanti
(763) 600-2911

Anthony Louis Center
1000 Paul Parkway, Blaine
(763) 757-2906

Allina Health Addiction Services
701 South Dellwood Street, Cambridge
(763) 688-7723

Teen Focus
209 East Maple Avenue, Mora 
(320) 358-4065

U of M Children's Fairview
Elk River Dual Adolescent Outpatient Program
1230 School Street NW, Elk River
(763) 241-3558

Rule 25 Isanti County Family Services
1700 East Rum River Drive South, Cambridge
(763) 689-1711

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Teen & Young Adult Rehab
11505 26th Avenue North, Plymouth
(877) 588-0413 (open 24 hours)

Freedom Center
105 6th Avenue South, Princeton
(763) 308-0006

Canvas Health
5842 Old Main Street Suite 2, North Branch
(651) 401-3060 or (651) 777-5222

River Place
6058 Highway 10, Anoka MN
(763) 421-5590 or (800) 591-1811

Grace Counseling
21471 Ulysses Street NE, East Bethel
(763) 413-8838

Better Mental Health
604 1st Street Suite 3, Princeton
(763) 412-1700

 

Lighthouse Child & Family Services, LLC provides school-linked mental health services in Cambridge-Isanti High School. Lighthouse works collaboratively with the school and other agencies to assist children and families with special needs, provide prevention and intervention services year round, and provide mental health services through an individualized system of service provision. Mental health services are provided regardless of insurance status.

Lighthouse Child and Family Services website

To be referred to this program, contact your School Counselor.