Outside Learning

 Please read through and follow the below steps if you would like to take a class with an outside provider for reasons such as accelerating classes or for credit recovery/replacement. Keep in mind classes can only be retaken outside if the Title, Level, and Content are the same as the original class taken.

  • “Credit Recovery” = when you fail a class & only when you fail a class, you may take a credit recovery class to gain the credit. It will only be a Pass/Fail on your transcript.
  • “Standard/Regular/Original Credit” = these are types of classes you need to take if you are trying to replace a grade or do a GPA Adjustment.

Northshore School District Grade Change Policy - NEW (Est’d 1.2025)

The Northshore School District has a vested interest in the integrity of our high school transcripts as well as in the accurate communication of student learning at our high schools to colleges and future employers.   NSD Board Procedures have stated for years that:

Students completing more than 15% of the total required credits or more than 50% of the required credits in any discipline from outside sources, and who complete all district requirements for graduation, will receive a generic Northshore School District diploma. The only exception to this is students moving into the district during their high school career. 

In a recent review of transcript data, the District noticed that our transcripts have more and more grade replacement entries from outside agencies than ever before.  These grade replacements from outside agencies are artificially increasing student GPAs and colleges take note of schools and districts that appear to have artificial grade inflation.  The appearance of artificial grade inflation reduces the “attractiveness” of NSD students to college admissions officers.

Therefore, to further enhance the integrity of the Northshore transcript, Northshore has instituted a new policy, effective immediately, for students and families who want to go outside of the Northshore School District to replace grades earned in our high schools and have those outside grade replacements appear on NSD transcripts.  

Outside Learning Approval

In some cases, students may be granted credit for learning experiences completed outside Northshore School District (NSD), provided the learning experiences meet the criteria outlined within the district procedures. Approval for credit  must be obtained prior to enrollment and/or participation in the outside learning experience in order to be eligible for consideration for high school credit on the NSD transcript. In order to receive credit for any approved outside learning experience, students must continue to be fully scheduled in a Northshore School District high school, taking the minimum required credits during the regular school day (7 credits for students grades 6-11, and 6 credits for students in grade 12). Students may not drop a course and/or shorten their schedule in order to have a learning experience outside the regular program.

Students can submit up to a total of 2 credits (4 semesters) during their high school years for grade improvement. If a student has already submitted 4 semester courses for grade changes, they may not apply for additional courses.  

Students may only replace C, D or F grades in their GPA.  Students earning any kind of A or B grade are not eligible for grade replacement by providers outside of the District.

There is no limit to courses for credit recovery (for students that have completed and failed a course) or to courses taken for original credit (e.g. Health).

It is important to note that the Northshore School District does not, under any circumstance, recommend any of the Outside Learning providers nor do we believe this is the best way for students to learn subject content. 

Keep in mind classes can only be retaken outside if the Title, Level, and Content are the same as the original class taken.

Steps to Enroll in a Course Outside of the Northshore School District 

(Outside Learning)

BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR THE CLASS

Online course: Choose an OSPI Approved Online Provider from this list: OSPI Approved Online Learning Course Catalog 

In person course: Choose a provider that is accredited in the State of Washington. This information is typically included on the provider website.

  1. Complete the Student Request for Approval for Outside Learning Form (hard copies available in the Counseling Center). 
  2. Submit a completed & signed form to your high school counselor.
  3. Enroll in the course ONLY AFTER APPROVAL of your request by the counselor and principal.

AFTER Completing Class:

  1. Once the class is completed, order an official outside course transcript to be sent to Ms. Manning, amanning@nsd.org 
  2. Fill out “Add to Transcript” Form in the Counseling Center and return to Ms. Manning after completing the class for counselor approval.
  3. If you are taking an online class for “GPA Adjustment” - then you need to fill out “GPA Adjustment Form” so the original credit gets adjusted. 

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Counselor.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I know which class is eligible for retaking outside? Make sure Title, Content, and Level of classes match what you originally took at NC (Ex. AP needs to be replaced by AP, CHS needs to be replaced by CHS, etc.).
  2. Where can I take CHS classes for GPA Adjustment? Only at NCHS or at the College.

  3. Regarding Spanish 350: This class can only be taken at NCHS due to the unique content in these classes. You cannot take these classes for GPA adjustment anywhere else. 

  4. Regarding Spanish 350 and all higher-level math classes Calc AB and above: These classes can only be taken at NCHS due to the unique content in these classes. You cannot take these classes for GPA adjustment anywhere else. 

  5. I used another provider before that isn’t on the list referenced on above, can I still use that provider? No. Only the classes that are listed on the approved OSPI catalog would count. It is your responsibility to ensure the class you sign up for is an OSPI approved class for what you need. 
  6. Will my original grade stay on the transcript? Yes. All grades will stay on your transcript to keep the integrity of your transcript. However, if you want to get a GPA adjustment, please fill out the GPA adjustment form and we will take out the original credit so it does not get calculated into your GPA.