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Stillwater High presents new online academy and expanded college-credit pathways
Summary
Stillwater High School reported a rapid surge in internal online course requests and outlined expanded concurrent-enrollment partnerships and a new CNA pathway that would allow students to earn college credit and workforce credentials while remaining on campus.
Stillwater High School told the school board that its first year of district-run online classes and expanded concurrent-enrollment offerings produced steep early growth and promising outcomes.
Presenter (speaker 15) told the board the district expanded internal online offerings this year and saw course requests jump from roughly 500 to more than 1,700 as new sections and subject coverage were added. "We built it and students came," the presenter said, describing a jump in student interest as the district offered more required and grade-level online courses.
The presentation stressed two goals for the online academy: meet student demand for flexible scheduling and provide courses taught by Stillwater staff so students experience higher completion and pass rates than some external providers. The presenters pointed to an external online failure rate they estimated as roughly 18–20% and contrasted that with district pass rates, noting the district graduation rate is near 96%.
Board members asked which metrics the district will use to judge the program. Presenter (speaker 15) said the primary measures are student enrollment/retention, pass rates and whether the program helps the district retain students who otherwise would go to external online providers or PSEO.
In a related expansion, the district outlined concurrent-enrollment agreements with Bethel University, the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Mankato. Officials said about 40 students have expressed interest in completing the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and about 30 students are pursuing an associate of arts cohort. The district emphasized these courses let students earn college credit without leaving campus; "it's money in their pocket," the presenter said, estimating Stillwater families saved roughly $1.4 million in cumulative college costs this year through concurrent offerings.
The board also heard about a new health-care pathway that includes a certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential. District staff said the CNA program was posted last week and that the credential was developed with Bethel University and area health partners. The district said grants and donations (including supplies donated for a CNA lab) are helping offset startup costs.
Officials described several other new electives planned for next year — computer science (Python), an intro to guitar, ceramics, culinary arts, AI and creative writing — and noted an MDE grant to expand early-childhood education and plans for a preschool lab staffed by students.
The presentation closed with a pledge to monitor outcomes and provide the board with further enrollment and performance data in the fall; staff asked the board for patience as the district tests and refines the new programs.
