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Post-Secondary Enrollment Option

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, but some courses are offered online. 

Like the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, successful completion of PSEO classes has proven to be an excellent stepping-stone for college and career, and is a strong indicator of future college success. Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) encourages students to weigh all options and goals carefully before making a decision about PSEO. 

Notification Deadlines:

  • Students must inform LILA by May 30 of their intent to enroll in PSEO courses during the following school year.

Enrollment & Requirements: 

  • 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. 
  • Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into PSEO courses.
  • Students in 11th or 12th grade may enroll in PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis.
  • Students in 10th grade are eligible to enroll on a more limited basis, initially enrolling in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) PSEO course IF they've received a reading proficiency score of meets or exceeds on the 8th grade MCA. If a student earns at least a grade C in that class, they make 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.
  • Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements, and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes - Section 124D.09.  
  • 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. 

Credits & Graduation Requirements:

  • All courses taken through the PSEO program must meet graduation requirements.
  • PSEO program courses are not weighted on the Lakes International Language Academy transcript. 
  • 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.
  • If a school district determines a student is not on track to graduate, the student may continue to participate in PSEO on a term-by-term basis only.

Resources & Other Information:

  • 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 meet the May 30 notification deadline and the district does not waive this date requirement.
  • Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students. For more information on these funds, see MDE's Postsecondary Enrollment Options Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions. 
  • Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.
  • PSEO students will be allowed reasonable access to the Upper School building and computers and/or other technology resources during regular school hours to participate in PSEO courses, whether on-line or on campus. 

To Learn More: 

Visit the Minnesota Department of Education PSEO webpage or contact Molly Scanlon, Academic Counselor.