The Advanced Placement (AP) program allows students to take courses to help them acquire the skills and habits needed to be successful in college. Students will improve their writing skills, sharpen their problem-solving abilities, and develop time management skills, discipline, and study habits. Southeast Polk offers a variety of AP courses and students can elect to take the course’s exam. To take the exam, follow these steps set by the College Board:
Central Campus is a regional academy of Des Moines Independent School District extending unique learning opportunities to students in central Iowa. Central Campus works with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Iowa Central Community College (ICCC) through Iowa’s Shared Program Initiative which allows community college courses to be taught at the secondary level. Students earn both high school and college credit. They will see their Central Campus classes, grades and credits posted to both their Southeast Polk High School transcript and generated on a DMACC and/or ICCC transcript. Southeast Polk students are eligible to attend the Career and Technical Institute and World Language classes once they have exhausted all the academic opportunities available at Southeast Polk. Students can pick up a Central Campus catalog in the counseling office, or visit www.centralcampus.org to view the courses available. Please contact Southeast Polk High School counselor Jessica Nolting with specific questions in regards to Central Campus opportunities.
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Southeast Polk High School formed a partnership to offer students opportunities to earn college certificate program credit at no cost to the student while still in high school. This program, Career Academy, allows juniors and seniors to enroll and complete DMACC technical courses while enrolled in high school. Students may choose Career Academy programs ranging from auto mechanics, auto collision, building trades, criminal forensics, culinary arts, diesel technology, health occupations, information technology, business administration, machine operations/tool & die or web page design.
These technical classes are taught in a two-hour block of time at the DMACC Ankeny and Southridge campus locations.
Students interested in Career Academy opportunities must first complete all Southeast Polk courses in that area before pursuing Career Academy programs. Students are also required to complete all DMACC registration materials. Career Academy credits will appear on the Southeast Polk High School transcript as well as on the DMACC college transcript. Shared credit classes will appear as a weighted grade on the student’s Southeast Polk High School transcript. Students taking a shared credit course are also encouraged to speak with the college they plan to attend to determine that college’s policy in regards to accepting shared credit classes for a grade and/or for a credit. Shared credit classes may not be taken pass/fail for DMACC credit.
As a reminder, students pursuing a Career Academy course must be aware of the deadline for withdrawing from a course as the grade earned for the Career Advantage course will impact the student’s certificate program and college transcript. Any associated fees are the responsibility of the student. Speak with Jessica Nolting in the guidance office for more information and an application.
The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act (PSEO) was ratified in 1987 by the Iowa General Assembly to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wide variety of options to high school students by enabling sophomore, junior, and senior students to enroll part-time in nonsectarian courses in eligible post-secondary institutions of higher learning in Iowa. Freshmen identified as gifted and talented students may also participate under the PSEO Act. The specific purposes of the PSEO Act are to promote rigorous academic pursuits and provide a wider variety of options for students. Any inquiries with regards to PSEO options should be directed to Southeast Polk High School counselor Kari Fast.
Student Eligibility:
Other considerations:
Southeast Polk High School offers numerous classes for students to take for both Southeast Polk credit as well as for Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) credit. These courses are taught at Southeast Polk High School by Southeast Polk teachers approved for instruction by DMACC. These shared credit classes involve the same content and quality as those taught on DMACC’s campuses. Students can choose from a variety of courses to take for DMACC credit free of charge. The DMACC credits will appear on both a Southeast Polk High School transcript as well as on a DMACC college transcript. Shared credit classes will appear as a weighted grade on the student’s Southeast Polk High School transcript. Students must be aware of the deadline for withdrawing from a shared credit class as to avoid a poor grade making a negative impact on the student’s college transcript. Students taking a shared credit course are also encouraged to speak with the college they plan to attend to determine that college’s policy in regards to accepting shared credit classes for a grade and/or for a credit. Shared credit classes may not be taken pass/fail for DMACC credit. If a student is interested in pursuing a class for shared credit, the student is then encouraged to speak with his/her counselor for more information.
