The following gateways of progression through the program have been established to allow for maximum student success. Please note that colleges and universities only accept courses for transfer in which a grade of C or better has been earned. Acceptance into the Advance College Academy is the first of several gates leading to the conferment of the associate’s degree in May of 12th grade.
Acceptance into the Advance College Academy – this is contingent upon successful completion of 8th grade coursework required for acceptance.
Applying to Reynolds Community College – This takes place early in 10th grade and requires participation from both parents and students to complete the application process.
English Direct Placement, Reynolds – ACA students must have a 3.0 in English of 10th grade and 3.0 GPA. If the student does not direct place into classes, they must take an reading comprehension and writing test. There is only one opportunity to take this test in the summer before 11th grade. No student is permitted to remain in ACA without placement by August 15th prior to the start of 11th grade.
Math Direct Placement, Reynolds – This is required of any high school student taking a college math class. The student must have at least a 2.0 in math of 10th grade and 3.0 GPA. There is only one opportunity to take this test in the summer before 11th grade. No student is permitted to remain in ACA without placement by August 15th prior to the start of 11th grade.
Reynolds Student Orientation Course – The design of the Advance College Academy includes a one credit class taken as a cohort during the Fall of 11th grade. SDV 100, College Success Skills, is taken in person with our Reynolds career coach as instructor. An A or B in this class is required to continue in the program.
Reynolds Fine Arts or Humanities Online Course – Students choose from a selection of courses that satisfy a 3 credit requirement of the associate’s degree. This course is taken in the Spring semester of 11th grade, online with a Reynolds instructor.
Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy and Computer Applications ITE 152 – Students will seek to earn these credits by taking and achieving 70% or higher on the ITE Credit by Able exam. This is to be accomplished prior to the start of 12th grade. The cost of the test is about $30 and at the family’s expense. If a student is unable to test out after two attempts, that students will take this semester long, 3 credit course online prior to the start of 12th grade. There is a cost to the family.
Reynolds Approved Elective Course – The credits for levels of Reynolds math and language vary. Some students may need to take an additional Reynolds elective to achieve the 60 credits of the associate’s degree. An alternative route to earn these 3 credits is to score a 3 or better on the AP Human Geography exam in 10th grade.
Course Grades and GPA requirements – Because the goals of this program are college and career readiness as well as completion of an associate’s degree, students in grades 9 through 12 must maintain a 3.0 unweighted GPA at marking period, semester, and end of course. Students with continued or repeated inability to maintain an unweighted 3.0 GPA, with intervention, may be removed from the program.
Any ACA student taking Reynolds classes whose GPA fall below a 2.5 for any one semester must be removed from the program. Any ACA student taking Reynolds classes whose GPA falls between a 2.5 and 3.0 will require interventions and GPA improvement to remain in the program.