ACC, AP, CIHS, PLTW, and PSEO

ACC stands for Articulated College Credit—a program that allows high school students to earn college-level credit while still in high school, through specific CTE (Career & Technical Education) classes. These courses are often connected to Bemidji Career Academies (e.g., Automotive, Child Care, etc.). Your credits count toward both your high school diploma and your college transcript—once you enroll at a participating post‑secondary institution.

If you are interested in doing a ACC course:

Step 1: Do you qualify for ACC?

There are no specific qualifications as far as age or grades are concerned; a student just needs to have taken any specific prerequisite courses, which can be found in the curriculum guide.

Step 2: If you qualify for a particular ACC course, then you register for that class during the regular high school registration process.

Step 3: If you meet the parameters set forth in the class—this often means achieving a specified grade and possibly passing an assessment--you then submit your ACC record, and your teacher approves your credit on the CTECreditMN portal. 

An AP course is an Advanced Placement course, which is a college-level class offered in high school. It's part of the AP Program run by the College Board (the same organization behind the SAT). The teachers who teach each course have had special training for that particular class. During the AP testing window, you take a standardized AP Exam earning a score of 1 to 5. Colleges give you credit or advanced placement if you score well (usually a 3 or higher). You always earn high school credit no matter your score on the AP Exam. BHS offers a robust Advanced Placement program designed to provide students with rigorous, college-level coursework and the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. Additionally, BHS provides pre‑AP courses in social studies and English to help students build foundational skills and increase success rates on AP exams.

If you are interested in doing an AP course:

Step 1: Do you qualify for AP?

There are no specific qualifications as far as age or grades are concerned; a student just needs to have taken any specific prerequisite courses, which can be found in the curriculum guide, and be prepared for the rigor in order to take an AP course. 

Step 2: If you qualify for a particular AP course, then you register for that class during the regular high school registration process.

Step 3: You will take your AP test during the date and time specified by College Board--the AP testing window is typically the first two weeks in May. The scores are typically released the first week in July. 

A College in the High School (CHS) course is a program that allows high school students to take college-level classes at their high school. These courses are taught by high school teachers who are approved by a partnering college or university. Students can earn both high school credit and college credit but don't have to leave the high school to do so. These courses are free to BHS students. 

College in the High School is a collaborative effort between Bemidji High School and Bemidji State University. The program was established to provide academically challenging courses in the high school for which students would receive college credit. College courses would be effectively integrated into the high school schedule so that students would maintain their relationships with Bemidji High School. College-bound students will have the opportunity to establish appropriate expectations for collegiate academic performance. The students may take the courses exclusively for high school credit, or they may choose to register with the university to also receive college credit.

The grade a student earns in a College in the High School course will appear on their official university transcript and become part of their permanent college record. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate academic readiness, but it's important to approach the course with commitment and care. Since this is a real college course, withdrawing or earning a low grade could have future implications, such as impacting financial aid eligibility or competitiveness for certain college programs.

Credit transfer decisions are made by the receiving college or university. However, many of the courses offered through this program meet Liberal Education requirements at Bemidji State University (BSU) and are part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. This means they are likely to transfer to most two- and four-year public colleges and universities across Minnesota, helping students fulfill general education requirements early.

If you are interested in doing CIHS: 

Step 1: Do you qualify for CIHS?

Currently Enrolled High School Seniors:

• Must be in the top 50% of their class or
• Have a 2.8 GPA or
• Score at or above the 50th percentile on a nationally standardized test (ACT or SAT) or
• Have a written recommendation from a high school counselor regarding your determination and compatibility with the coursework

Currently Enrolled High School Juniors:

• Must be in the top third of their class or
• Have a 3.0 GPA or
• Score at or above the 70th percentile on a nationally standardized test (ACT or SAT) or
• Have a written recommendation from a high school counselor regarding your determination and compatibility with the coursework

Step 2: If you qualify for CIHS, then you register for the class during the high school registration process.

Step 3: During the first day of your CIHS course, you will receive an enrollment form for you and a parent to sign and return. This will officially enroll you into BSU and that course. A new form needs to be signed and returned for each CIHS course you take.

A PSEO course refers to a class taken through the Postsecondary Enrollment Options program, which allows eligible high school students—typically juniors and seniors—to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school. These courses are not offered at the high school, and students must leave campus to take them. The student’s grade will appear on both the high school's and university’s transcript and will be a part of the student’s permanent college record. Withdrawing from one of these courses or receiving a poor grade could negatively affect your college transcript, financial aid process, and acceptance into certain college majors.

If you are interested in doing PSEO: 

Step 1: Do you qualify for PSEO?

• For BSU, Juniors must have 3.5 GPA, Seniors must have 3.3 GPA.

• For NTC, Juniors must rank in the top 30% of their graduating class, Seniors must rank in the top 50% of their graduating class.

• *For any other institution, check the PSEO eligibility on their website.

Step 2: If you qualify for PSEO, complete Section 1 of the 2025-2026 Notice of Student Registration (NOSR) form and return it to your Counselor/Academic Dean.

• NOSR form found here: NOSR form 2025-2026

Step 3: Apply for the institution on their website or in person.

• For BSU, application form

• For NTC, application form  

• *For any other institution, look for the PSEO application on their website.

• Transcript request form

Step 4: Complete the PSEO acknowledgement form and return it to your Counselor Academic Dean.

• PSEO acknowledgement form here: PSEO acknowledgement form

Step 5: Meet with your BHS Counselor/Academic Dean. 

Click here to schedule a time with Ms. Knutson (Class of 2026).

Click here to schedule a time with Ms. Juve (Class of 2027).

• Complete a credit check.

• Determine what classes you would like to take through PSEO.

• Determine what classes will be kept at BHS, if any.

Step 6: Meet with your institutions’ PSEO coordinator/counselor.

• Share your plans with the PSEO coordinator/counselor regarding which classes you would like to register for at their institution.

• They will walk you through the registration process and tell you when your registration window will open. They may also give you an access code for registering.

Step 7: Register for your PSEO classes

• Once your registration window opens at your PSEO institution, you may register for the classes.

Step 8: Finalize your BHS schedule with your Counselor/Academic Dean.

• Once your schedule is finalized at your PSEO institution, give your schedule to your BHS Counselor/Academic Dean as soon as possible.

• Your Counselor/Academic Dean will then adjust your BHS schedule accordingly.

Step 9: Stay in contact with your BHS Counselor/Academic Dean.

• Throughout the entire PSEO process, stay in contact with your BHS Counselor/Academic Dean.

• If you change your PSEO schedule, let your BHS Counselor/Academic Dean know as soon as possible.

• If you are struggling with your PSEO classes, let your BHS Counselor/Academic Dean know as soon as possible.

Keep an eye on your BHS Google Classroom and the BHS Daily Bulletin for BHS related announcements and information.