Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO)
Extended Learning provides the opportunity for students to acquire skills and knowledge outside of the traditional classroom setting. Souhegan High School allows extended learning opportunities as a means of meeting the diverse learning needs of students with varied interests, talents and developmental needs. ELOs require a Souhegan High School faculty member as a cooperating teacher, and often involve a community partner. Any costs related to, and transportation to and from, an Extended Learning Opportunity are the responsibility of the student/family.
Application Process
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Schedule a meeting with school counselor to discuss possible ELO.
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Complete ELO Request Form and review with ELO coordinator.
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The student and ELO coordinator will identify appropriate cooperating teacher and/or community partner.
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Once the student’s eligibility is determined, and initial request approved, the ELO Coordinator will assist the student in preparing the ELO Design, using the ELO Design Template and other necessary paperwork. The ELO Design must be submitted for approval at least ten (10) school days prior to when the ELO is proposed to begin. Waivers to the ten (10) school day submission requirement may be granted at the ELO Coordinator’s discretion, provided all other criteria are satisfied.
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The ELO Coordinator will review the ELO Design with the committee or designee and a decision for approval will be made within ten (10) school days of receipt. If additional information is needed, it must be submitted within one week of receipt of the request. If approval is not granted, please refer to the ELO policy for appeals process.
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Once the ELO Committee has approved the ELO Design, the student must obtain parental/guardian approval using the ELO Agreement Form. In addition, approval may also be needed from leadership, student services, other certified educators, and/or community partners as necessary. If a community partner is involved, the Community Partner Agreement Form will need to be completed.
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If the student is approved for an off-campus ELO, the student and parent/guardian must sign an Off-Campus ELO Permission Form.
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All ELO Forms can be found on the links above, or may be obtained from a counselor or the ELO coordinator.
Guidelines for Approval of an ELO
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Courses taken outside of Souhegan High School at accredited, credit granting institutions (online, college or correspondence courses, for example) follow a separate process for approval.
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Students must take courses that are required for graduation at Souhegan High School to obtain a Souhegan diploma. If scheduling does not permit this, a student may submit a request to take a required course through an accredited program, online course and/or college course. Students need to meet with their counselor and complete a Request for Credit application. An administrator, consulting with the counselor, will determine if the request can be approved.
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No more than three credits needed for graduation may be earned outside of Souhegan.
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Students taking an ELO as part of their course schedule must adhere to the drop/add and withdrawal procedures.
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Students must provide documentation of their completed course to their counselor before credit can be awarded.
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As with other ELOs, students will be responsible for any cost associated with a course outside of Souhegan.
Independent Study Variable Credit, Grades 10-12
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Students who have a special interest not offered as a formal course may work with a cooperating teacher and ELO coordinator to design a course based on their needs and interests. Such studies must meet the equivalent of a course in terms of expectations and rigor. Independent studies are assessed on a Pass/NC basis, and the credit awarded varies depending on the scope of the competencies for the course.
Student Internship Variable Credit, Grades 10-12
Students gain real world experience in a work environment under the supervision of a community partner. The ELO coordinator can aid students in finding a suitable internship site. Students must complete workplace hours, and demonstrate mastery of key skills and competencies outlined in the ELO Design. Credit is determined by the scope of the competencies mastered during the internship, including a reflection, presentation and often a research component.
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Project Based Learning Variable Credit, Grades 10-12
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Project based learning allows students to complete an inquiry driven project tailored to an area of specific interest. Project based learning ELOs will include a cooperating teacher and a community partner that will aid the student in a mentorship capacity. To earn credit for a project-based learning ELO, students must achieve mastery of the competencies specific to their ELO design plan, which would include a reflection, research, product, and presentation component.
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Online Variable Credit, Grades 9-12
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The Virtual Learning Academy Charter School offers online courses, tuition free, to any student residing in NH. The Academy’s goal is to use the latest internet technology to provide our state’s high school students with anytime, anywhere internet access to a rigorous, personalized education. Souhegan students are expected to seek offerings at VLACS over other online high school course programs. See “Guidelines for Approval of an ELO” above regarding the approval process for online coursework. Check www.vlacs.org for more information about their offerings.
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Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Souhegan High School has formed partnerships with several dual enrollment college programs. These opportunities allow students to concurrently enroll in college level courses and receive college credit while also completing the requirements for high school graduation at Souhegan.
Dual enrollment courses have curriculum and instructors at Souhegan who meet the criteria and are approved by the college. As these are college level courses, students should understand the expectations of the course, including college grading standards. Students who register for the college credit agree to follow the policies and procedures of the college. There is a fee to the college for students who register for college credit at a considerable reduced tuition rate. Upon completion of the course, students will receive high school credit, as well as, college credit. College transcripts are issued by the particular college. Students should be aware that each college has their own policies for accepting dual enrollment credits. Dual enrollment courses are identified in the course descriptions.
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Courses qualifying for dual enrollment are identified each academic year. Benefits for students may include:
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Challenging themselves with a college level course
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Receiving college credit at a much-reduced tuition rate
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College credit applied to their college degree
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Possible higher placement in college courses upon enrollment
Souhegan currently has a partnership with the following dual enrollment programs:
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Running Start - Project Running Start is the dual enrollment/dual credit/concurrent enrollment program offered by the Community College System of NH (CCSNH). Through a new program with the state of New Hampshire, juniors and seniors can take 2 dual credit STEM courses, free of charge. http://nashuacc.edu/academics/running-start
Southern New Hampshire University – “SNHU in the High School” Program offers qualified 10-12 grade students the opportunity to earn college credit prior to high school graduation.
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VLACS – The Virtual Learning Academy offers many online courses for college credit through SNHU and eStart (CCSNH). www.vlacs.org
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University of New Orleans – College credit is offered through the Alexis De Tocqueville Project/Honors School http://new.uno.edu/tocqueville-project/high-school-program