Digital Course Catalog

* For many students, the state’s requirement for Washington State History will be fulfilled through course work completed in middle school. For students who have not taken Washington State History in middle school, limited course options will be available.

** Students must earn 3 credits of math; 2 credits in Algebra 1 and Geometry, 1 credit in Algebra 2 or higher, or 1 credit based on the student’s PPR (Personalized Pathway Requirement) and High School and Beyond Plan. Algebra 1 and Geometry taken in middle school may count toward this requirement.

*** PPR (Personalized Pathway Requirement) includes courses that lead to a specific post-high-school career or educational outcome chosen by the student, based on their interests and High School and Beyond Plan. T hese may include core, elective, and some support-type courses and are intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning. When applying for consideration of PPR alternatives, students will be required to meet with their counselor to make sure that the alternative aligns with the High School and Beyond Plan and that they have completed and submitted all required documents.

Graduation Requirements Tracker PDF

 

Directions for Completing a Personal Pathway

(Please include all 3 requirements when turning everything in for your counselor's signature)

The following is required to request a Personalized Pathway Requirement (PPR):

1) A copy of the PPR form (click here to print and complete)
2) A copy of your PPR statement of Rationale (click here for directions)
3) A copy of your updated 4 year plan (see slideshow below for detailed directions)

You may see any Counselor of the Day to ask any questions or to submit your 3 documents.

The following slideshow will walk you step by step through the process:

MI ONLINE 2024-2025

• STUDENT REQUEST FOR ONLINE FORM

Applications for Fall 2025 will be open until February 11, 2025.

Please note the following DEADLINES for Semester 2 courses:

• Last day to request an MI Online class for Semester 2: 2/11/25.

• Last day to drop a class before “W” (withdrawn) is recorded on MIHS transcript: 5 weeks from Course Start Date.

• Class End Date will be 6/13/25 for Seniors

• Class End Date will be 6/20/25 for 9-11th Grade

• Students who drop classes more than 2 weeks from the start date may lose access to future online courses

The following groups will be prioritized for registration

• Seniors needing specific credits for HS graduation

• Course not available at the school

• Course helps student make up failed credits needed to graduate

Students in these groups may benefit from online coursework, if there is space available

• Online course venue helps alleviate scheduling conflict

• Online learning environment perceived as better-meeting student's learning style

• Course offers student enrichment or subject matter of interest

• Course allows student to better prepare for college-level coursework

• Course allows student to prepare for the state assessments (MSP/HSPE)

Overview

MISD will primarily use APEX Learning as our provider, but also has access to Fuel Education courses. These providers were selected from a vetted list provided by OSPI’s Alternative Learning Department Online Learning Division (formerly known as the Digital Learning Department). All providers have a signed contract for providing courses to the district, which is renewed annually. The contract varies by the type of provider. MISD does not vet the individual courses of the providers, except to determine if a course meets a graduation requirement (ie. is there enough American History in a course for the course to count as the US History requirement). All courses are available for credit on a MIHS transcript.

Timeline
Students may register prior to a semester's start date and if the needs arise they may request a course within the following windows:
Stand-alone course: Up to end of third week into semester.
Credit Recovery: Up to end of third week into semester.
Special considerations: Will be considered through the approval process by the student counselor and principal.

The Process
1) Students who wish to pursue an online course request must first complete MISD Form 2024 F (Student Request for Online Course). 

2) Once the form is complete and they connect with their counselor, the counselor reviews it and then provides it to Principal Wold for approval.

3) If the student is approved for the requested course, then the student will receive a digital form to notify the Online Course Registrar of the requested course and needed information. This will be emailed to the family from the High School Registrar. 

4) If the student is denied the requested course, the principal will contact the student and counselor. If the student so chooses their appeal avenue is through the Superintendent as outlined on the form. 

Students must be able to have a free period  available in case they need to be enrolled for daily attendance.

 

Contract Expectations
The student must make weekly contact with his/her Mentor Teacher. If adequate progress, as determined by the Teacher Mentor, is not being met, in-person meetings will be required and could result in additional interventions. These could include: additional Teacher Mentor contact by phone or email; regular in-person meetings; or scheduled on-campus work time. All coursework must be completed within the course start and end dates determined at the time of registration.

Acceptable Progress
Regular login and acceptable weekly progress toward course completion is required. Acceptable progress is the successful completion of approximately 5% of each course every week. If acceptable progress is not met, Washington state law mandates that the Mentor Teacher add further interventions and requirements, which could include scheduled work time during off periods, parent meetings, after school work time, or additional weekly check ins.

Earning Credit
Grading is the responsibility of the online teacher for the course. All grades and credit for completed courses will be recorded on the MIHS transcript. Withdrawing from a course within 10 school days of initial login will result in no record on the transcript. Withdrawing later than 10 school days after initial login and prior to the last 10 days of the course will result in a “W” on the transcript. Not completing the course will result in an “F” on the transcript. If the online provider has different rules regarding grade posting, those rules will take precedence.

Course Eligibility and Tuition
MI Online Course eligibility is determined through an administrative review process. Mercer Island School District covers tuition for courses as long as a student does not exceed seven combined (on-site and online) courses for a semester. In other words, a student must have at least one unscheduled period to enroll in an online course. Additionally, students may not over-enroll (have more than seven courses).  Special allowances are made for students in their senior year needing credits to graduate.

Additional Costs
Some courses (particularly AP, literature, and science courses) may require supplemental texts or materials. Additional non-tuition costs are the responsibility of the student.

NCAA Eligibility
Students and parents are responsible for ensuring that the online course meets NCAA requirements should NCAA eligibility be part of the student’s post-high-school planning. Fuel Education courses often do not meet NCAA eligibility. If you need to verify that a course is NCAA certified, please let your counselor know at the time of course request.