'College in the Schools' Saves Hopkins Students Thousands

students saved tens of thousands of dollars through the University of Minnesota’s College in the Schools program.

Students registered for 326 courses in the 2010-11 school year, mostly in the foreign languages, Superintendent John Schultz announced at Tuesday’s School Board meeting. Together, they earned 1,557 credits.

That cost the district $47,270 at the $145-per-course rate it pays. If students had to pay the usual tuition, the cost would have been a much-steeper $586,000.

College in the Schools brings the rigor of the college classroom to local high schools. Students are held to the same academic standards as students on the university campus. In return, the students receive University of Minnesota credits recognized by other universities.

“That is a wonderful, wonderful program,” said School Board Director Warren Goodroad. “I’ve had so many parents come up and say, ‘My kid is so much farther along in college than we had planned for.’”