Academic Challenge

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A variety of academically challenging classes at Chaska High School are available to any student interested. Students may register for honors classes, accelerated/advanced classes, Advanced Placement and college in the school classes.  Check out the registration manual for course descriptions and information on the following: 

Advanced Placement:

College in the School

Currently, Chaska offers Psychology 101, Composition 101, and Intermediate French 201, German 201, and Spanish 201 through University of Minnesota Mankato.  Students must meet PSEO admissions requirements prior to registering for these classes.  Also, in the fall of 2006 Chaska High School began offering Project Lead The Way engineering classes for college credit.

Testing Out: District #112 School Board has endorsed a testing out policy that shows student mastery of core curriculum. Any student who requests an opportunity to test out of a class must be afforded that opportunity. Students are encouraged to request testing out of a course so that appropriate adjustments to their schedule can be made.  However, a student who wants to test out of a course must request to do so within 10 days of the beginning of the course and the assessment must be completed within 5 weeks of the beginning of the quarter.  Students who test out of a class during the quarter must realize that:

• They will not be able to schedule a new class until the following quarter.
• Per Board of Education Policy, students must maintain enrollment in three classes during a quarter.

Students may attempt to test out only once for each course, and they may not test out of courses they have previously taken.  The assessment of competence may include subject area assessment tools, staff and parent input, test scores, and/or interviews. Realize that the tests are difficult but fair. If the student passes the assessment, the student will receive graduation credit for the class in question.

Independent Study allows interested students to pursue advanced learning in a subject after all CHS classes in that area have been successfully completed.

Challenge Groups: Chaska High School's Challenge Groups are available for students to work with the PAC Coordinator in areas such as:

Mentor Connection: Mentor Connection is a special program designed to help students develop to their fullest potential through extensive educational involvement with college level professors and business/industry professionals (Mentors). The course enables students to acquire in-depth knowledge in the fields of their choice through direct interaction on a one-on-one basis with those who teach and work in the chosen fields. The students learn new and challenging technical concepts and are afforded the opportunity to develop elaborate projects in their chosen areas under the watchful eyes of their mentors. Applications are due in early spring which is followed by an interview.  For further information contact Candi Storm at 952-403-7677 or ckstorm@cseced.org.

Academic Competition: Chaska High School has earned recognition at both state and national levels for success in academic team competition like Quiz Bowl, Knowledge Bowl, Science Bowl, and Science Olympiad. Check out the academic competition home page at:
http://www.district112.org/chs/Students/Activities/AcademicCompetitions/index.htm.

Puente: This program teams talented Hispanic or Asian students with limited English skills with PAC students in advanced classes.