Outside Credit Options

Pre-Approval Required

Before pursuing any outside credit, pre-approval from a counselor or principal is required. Approval must be obtained before the course begins; credit will not be granted retroactively.

• Students must complete the course within the time designated by the counselor.
• A maximum of 4 credits (8 semesters) may be earned through outside credit options, with a limit of 2 credits (4 semesters) per school year.
• To maintain academic integrity, no more than 50% of credits in any one discipline can be earned through outside courses.

Important Note:

• The district does not verify whether outside courses meet specific college or NCAA requirements or qualify for scholarships. Parents and students are responsible for ensuring courses meet their needs.

 

Available Outside Credit Options

Students may earn outside credits through the following options:

Outside Credit Options (Pass/Fail Only)

• This includes courses at community colleges or OSPI/ISD-approved private Washington State accredited institutions.
• Steps to Earn Credit:
  • Fill out the High School Request for Outside Credit Pre-Approval Form.
  • Consult with a counselor to confirm the course provider is accredited and district-approved.
  • Submit official course completion verification to the counseling office no later than two weeks after course completion.
• Grading Information:
  • These courses are transcripted as Pass/Fail:
    • A "Pass" grade is neutral and does not affect GPA.
    • Note: The NCAA calculates Pass/Fail grades as a 1.0 or “D” in GPA calculations.

 

Steps to Earn Outside Credit

1. Pre-Approval
   1. Submit the High School Request for Outside Credit Pre-Approval Form.
   2. Counselor/Principal approval required before starting the course.
2. Complete the Course
   1. Finish the course within the timeframe designated by the counselor.
3. Submit Verification
   1. Provide official course completion documents to the counseling office no later than two weeks after course completion.

 

Options

Feature	Other Outside Credit Options
Grading	Pass/Fail only
Impact on GPA	Pass grades do not impact GPA
Eligibility	Community college or private accredited institutions
Maximum Credits Allowed	Included in the 4-credit outside limit
Approval Process	Pre-approval required
Important Notes	NCAA may calculate "Pass" as a D (1.0 GPA)

 

Additional Notes on Pass/Fail Grading

• Impact on GPA:
  • Pass/Fail grades are neutral and do not affect a student’s GPA. However, students should be aware that:
    • The NCAA treats Pass (P) grades as equivalent to a D (1.0 GPA) when calculating eligibility.
    • This could negatively impact students aiming for athletic scholarships or college sports programs.
• Example Scenario:
  • A student planning to play NCAA Division I sports takes a Pass/Fail community college course in English. While the course fulfills high school graduation requirements, the NCAA assigns a GPA equivalent of 1.0 (D) for the Pass grade, potentially lowering their eligibility GPA.

 

Counselor Support

Counselors play a vital role in guiding students through the process of earning outside credits. They can help:

• Identify approved courses.
• Ensure credits align with graduation and post-secondary goals.
• Clarify questions about accreditation, deadlines, or required documentation.

 

Visual Overview: Earning Outside Credit

Steps at a Glance:

1. Pre-Approval: Submit the pre-approval form and get counselor/principal approval before starting.

2. Complete the Course: Follow through and complete the course within the designated timeline.

3. Submit Verification: Provide proof of course completion to the counseling office promptly.

 

 

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