Alternative Credit Options

Summit offers our students multiple ways to earn high school credit outside of traditional courses.  Keep reading for more information and reach out to your Advisor for support!

Students are eligible to earn .50-Elective (EL) credit for each 65-hours completed through work or volunteer hours, up to 2-credits during their high school experience.  Credits are awarded a Pass (P) grade, which does not impact high school GPA.

Students are required to submit verification of their experience in the format of either paystubs or a SIGNED Log.

How To Get Started

1. Inform your Advisor that you are working or volunteering and would like to earn credit for the experience.  Your Advisor will then enroll you in the Work Experience Program.
2. Throughout the term, students track their hours. 
3. Once students complete at least 65-hours in a term, they will submit the Work/Volunteer Hours Completion Form.

• The form will require students to upload either their paystubs or their Tracker Form.

NOTE: Work/Volunteer Hours must be completed in a single term.  Students may be eligible for partial credit when discussed prior to the end of the term with their Advisor (32.5-hours = .25-credit).

Students who are participating in an organized sport or are taking physical activity related lessons are eligible to earn .50-Physical Education (PE) credit for each 65-hours completed IN A SINGLE TERM.  Credits are awarded a Pass (P) grade, which does not impact high school GPA.

Students will be held accountable for achieving 65-total hours of physical activity throughout the term in order to earn full credit. Required hours must be completed through a structured physical activity such as an organized sport or lessons (gymnastics, horse riding lessons, swimming lessons, martial arts, jiu jitsu, etc.).

How To Get Started

1. Inform your Advisor that you are participating in accepted physical activity and are interested in completing PE credits through Independent Study PE.  Your Advisor will then enroll you in the Edgenuity class.
2. Once enrolled, students work through the Edgenuity class and track their hours. 
3. Once students complete their 65-hours, they submit their final assignment in Edgenuity.

NOTE: Independent Study PE Hours must be completed in a single term.  Students may be eligible for partial credit when discussed prior to the end of the term with their Advisor AND the PE Instructor (32.5-hours = .25-credit).

Independent Study | Personal Passion Project

Students often have intellectual, artistic, or career interests which cannot be fully pursued with the existing high school curriculum. Summit Learning Charter offers students the opportunity to pursue a passion outside of traditional academia and the regular school day to earn elective credit through independent study, where students can deep dive into a topic of interest.

Independent Study/Personal Passion Projects must include at least 65-hours of work, of which at least 80% (52-hours) must be direct contact; the remaining 20% (15-hours) may be direct or indirect contact (planning, documenting, meetings with Advisor or Project Mentor/Supervisor, etc.)

The program allows students to earn .50-Elective (EL) credit per 65-hour project, up to a total 2.0 credits.

How To Get Started

1. Student submits Independent Study Proposal Form

• You will need to have a Project Mentor with their contact information, a Project Description, and create a SMART Goal for your Project 
• (Need help?  Check out these Sample Proposals)

2. Once Proposal is approved, students:

• Track their hours throughout the term using the Tracker Form, completing at least 65-hours.  Hours must be approved by Project Mentor (their signature will be required at the end of the project).  Trackable hours may include:
  • Job Shadowing
  • Research
  • Meetings with Project Mentor
  • Project Work
  • Practice/Rehearsal Hours
  • Classes/Lessons/Workshops/Conferences
• Create a Final Product to demonstrate learning and/or proof of experience
• Complete a Final Presentation and Reflection: a 5-minute video or a Zoom presentation that includes the following:
  • Describe Project and Experience overall
  • Describe and present Final Product
  • Did you meet your Project Goal?
  • Include main learning objectives/growth
  • Self-Reflection/Growth

The Final Product and Final Presentation will be graded using THIS RUBRIC, which should be used in the creation of these items.  Students must earn at least 8-points to be eligible for credit.