COURSES & SCHEDULING
As you’ve learned already if you’ve committed to coming to Perpich, the school curriculum and schedule are different, possibly very different, from your home school.
BLOCK SCHEDULING
Perpich operates on a block schedule: the day is divided into two 90-minute classes (“blocks”) and one 50-minute class in the morning. The 90-minute classes are double that of a regular school schedule where classes are normally 40-45 minutes.
This allows our instructors to offer much richer and more project-based lessons. In one semester you will complete a course credit that would take you a year to complete in a non-block-scheduled high school.
As a result, you will be able to accomplish a great deal academically while at Perpich. For example, in one year you would be able to complete credits in English, science, math, social studies and a world language while also finding time for electives.
ARTS SCHEDULING
At Perpich your arts studies are integral to your academic planning. They are not electives but at the heart of the learning you pursue every day. Arts classes, studios, and rehearsals take place from 12:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. every day.
The arts courses are determined by the instructors in each arts area and while there is some choice involved on the student’s part in some areas, you will not register for arts classes other than to indicate “arts” in your afternoon slot. Your instructors will determine how you will experience the curriculum. Your arts courses are college-preparatory with reading, homework and projects that must be pursued outside of class as well as in class.
Registration booklet
ADVANCED COURSES
AP and PSEO
- English Literature and Composition
- Art History
- Studio Arts
- Calculus AB
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CLASSES
AP is a program created by the College Board offering college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. American colleges often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores above a certain number on the examinations. The AP curriculum for the various subjects is created for the College Board by a panel of experts and college-level educators in each subject. For a high school course to have the AP designation, the course must be audited by the College Board to ascertain it satisfies the AP curriculum. If the course is approved the school may use the AP designation and the course will be publicly listed on the AP Ledger.
POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS (PSEO)
PSEO is an academic option open to high school seniors and juniors in various states, including Minnesota. The options allow students to take courses at the college level. It is possible for a student to graduate with both an associate’s degree and a high school diploma at the same time via PSEO. The PSEO program was created in 1985 by the state of Minnesota. For more information about the PSEO program at Perpich, visit our PSEO page.
For more information:
Within the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system:
https://www.minnstate.edu/admissions/pseo/index.html
At the University of Minnesota:
https://ccaps.umn.edu/post-secondary-enrollment-options-pseo
At private colleges in Minnesota:
http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/how-plan/start-preparing-college/earning-college-credit-high-school
