Outside Learning

Updated February 2026

Please read through and follow the below steps completely if you would like to take a class with an outside provider for reasons such as accelerating classes or for credit recovery/replacement. This policy is effective immediately.

Conditions for Approval of Outside Learning Experiences

  • The Northshore School District may grant limited high school credit learning experiences completed outside the district to support student educational needs while complying with Washington State law. 
  • Written approval must be obtained prior to enrollment. Only courses approved in advance will be added to the Northshore high school transcript. 
  • Only students enrolled in grades 9-12 are eligible to earn high school credit through outside learning. Courses taken during the summer between 8th and 9th grade do not qualify. 
  • In person learning experience must be offered by an approved, accredited institution. 
  • Online courses must be offered through providers listed in the OSPI Online Learning Course Catalog.  This is an outside website and is not controlled or operated by the Northshore School District.
  • Credit will be awarded only after the district receives an official transcript sent directly from the course provider and the student submits a completed Request to Add Course to Transcript form to the counseling office. Students are responsible for sending transcripts from outside providers directly to colleges. 
  • Courses taken for GPA improvement must be the exact same class in title, content, and credit as the original course. (Combined CHS/AP courses may only be retaken at one of our Northshore schools.) 
  • Per Northshore School District Policy: To preserve the integrity of the comprehensive high school diploma, 85% of the required credits for graduation shall be earned through the student’s comprehensive high school course offerings. No more than 50% of the graduation requirements in any discipline may be obtained from approved accredited sources outside the Northshore School District. Students who earn 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, shall receive a generic Northshore School District diploma. Exception: This policy does not apply to credits taken before the student transfers into the district. 

Types of Outside Learning:

  • Original Credit - Student will earn credit and no grade will be posted to the high school transcript. I am requesting that this course be posted to the high school transcript with credit (CR) but no letter grade. This has no impact on my GPA.
  • Credit Retrieval – Abbreviated credit-retrieval courses allow students to earn credit for a previously failed course. A grade of P (Pass) will be recorded on the transcript. The original grade will remain unchanged and will continue to be factored into the GPA. I am requesting credit and a passing grade for a course previously completed and failed on my transcript. 
  • Grade Improvement – For courses taken to improve a grade of C+ or below, the original grade will remain, but credit will only be given for the highest grade which will be calculated in the GPA. I am requesting credit and a grade for a course listed on my transcript. I understand I may not have more than 1.0 credit replaced in any school year. There is a maximum of 2.0 credits that can be replaced on my transcript during my high school career. 

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. 

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 are 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 this class for GPA adjustment anywhere else. 
     
  4. 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. 
     
  5. 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. 
     
  6. How many classes can I take with Outside Learning?
    To preserve the integrity of the NSD comprehensive HS diploma, 85% of the required credits for graduation shall be earned through NCHS. No more than 50% of the graduation requirements in any discipline may be obtained from approved accredited sources outside the Northshore School District. Students who earn 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, shall receive a generic NSD diploma.