The Idaho State Department of Education’s Advanced Opportunities programs provide students with a number of ways to get a jump on college.  Middle School students are offered the opportunity to take courses for high school credit. The Fast Forward program provides students with opportunities to earn college credit or pay for those college credits while they’re still in high school.If you have questions, please contact the school counselor or Corrie Harris at the district office 612-7370.  More information can be found at the district webpage:  http://www.d91.k12.id.us/academics/advanced-learning-oportunties

Idaho has developed a number of programs to help students get a jumpstart on college by earning college credits at the state’s expense while they are still in high school. Even middle school students can take advantage of some of these programs. The 8 in 6 Program is designed to allow students to complete their high school graduation requirements at an accelerated rate by taking overload and summer classes. By completing their high school graduation requirements early, students can focus on earning additional college credits by taking dual enrollment classes, which could reduce the number of classes students have to take in college. Students could also complete a ProfessionalTechnical Program and earn a certification. To take advantage of the 8 in 6 program students must take a full course load at school, and the overload classes must be completed outside the regular school day and/or during the summer. Please note the state does not recognize a schedule with release time as a full schedule. Students who take release time would need to consider other options such as early morning seminary or pay for one of the overload classes. Students interested in the 8 in 6 program can learn more by setting up a meeting with a middle school counselor. The program has a lot of advantages, but there are some risks. Failing or withdrawing from a class could permanently impact a student’s high school and/or college records. Any class funded by the state will appear on the student’s transcript. Middle school counselors are happy to review the program and help families decide whether it is a good fit. More information about 8 in 6 and the state’s other Advanced Opportunities is on the district’s webpage at http://www.d91.k12.id.us/academics/advanced-learning-oportunties or the Department of Education’s website at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/advancedOpp