Earning High School Credit in Middle School
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has approved changes for 6th Grade, 7th Grade and 8th Grade students who complete high school level courses. Students' high school transcripts will allow the appropriate units of credit recorded on the transcript, with the notation that these courses have been successfully completed prior to 9th Grade.
What this allows:
- High school credit—Middle school students may receive high school credit for high school level courses in World Language and Math taken in middle school.
- Transcribed grades—The high school course will be included on the student's transcript with a letter grade. This will happen after the successful completion of the subsequent course in the subject area in high school.
- Graduation requirements—The courses will meet the subject-area requirements toward high school graduation.
What this does not allow:
- GPA—The letter grade will not count in the student's grade point average in high school.
Special Considerations for Transfers
If a student transfers out of Rockwood before successful completion of the subsequent high school course, the credit will not be included on the high school transcript. The receiving school will determine whether the high school credit is awarded for the middle school course completion. A student transferring into a Rockwood School that has not had high school credit transcribed for a high school World Language or Math course taken at the middle school level, will only receive credit based on successful completion of the subsequent course in the subject area completed during high school.
Special considerations for student-athletes: In order to be eligible for high school activities, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSSHA), requires students in the 9th-12th grades to pass three (3.0) units of credit the previous semester and be enrolled in three (3.0) units of credit for the current semester. It is important parents and students understand this MSSHA requirement if the student chooses to participate in high school activities.
Rockwood Courses Available for High School Credit
Middle school students who choose the high school level courses will receive acceleration credit that can be counted toward meeting the subject-area requirements for graduation. It is important to note the following:
- Middle school students who take courses for high school credit, and then continue on the curricular track for World Language and Math in high school, will not receive credit for the middle school course if they retake these same courses in high school.
- Final exams - Middle school students will take the end-of-course final exam in the courses for which they receive high school credit. This exam will be figured into their final grade. Students taking Algebra 1, Honors Geometry or Honors Algebra 2 will take the state required End-Of-Course exam. Students must be proficient on the Algebra 1 EOC to be eligible for the A+ program.
- For more information, contact your professional school counselor regarding the courses available for high school credit.
- Please note: Middle school courses that count for high school credit may not qualify for college admission requirements or NCAA eligibility. It is recommended students take college preparatory courses throughout high school.