EPHS Course Selection Hub

Dear Eden Prairie High School students and families,

We hope you had a restful break and are excited to make 2025 the best year yet! It’s time to get ready to select courses for the 2025-26 school year. Students in the classes of 2026 through 2029 will select courses in Infinite Campus from February 3 to 18.  

Creating next year’s schedule is the perfect time to challenge yourself and try something new. We offer the largest course catalog in the entire state, and that means there are courses to spark interest for every student. Please take time to review the Course Selection Hub which will be updated and go live for the 25-26 school year on Friday, January 31st. The Course Selection Hub includes our digital course catalog as well as Pathways and Capstones courses! These courses offer hands-on, real-world projects, visits from mentors, site visits, and more!

Below are important dates in the course selection season:

• Course Selection materials will be handed out to students at school the week of January 27: Course Selection materials will be shared during Course Selection events and will also be available in Student Centers for pickup. These materials include grade-level planning sheets, Pathway/Capstone planning guides and handouts from EP Online, PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Options) and Work-Study programs.
• Grade-Level Meetings and Course Selection Rush on January 30: Students will participate in this event with an information session led by our Counseling team. The Course Selection Rush will highlight new courses, grad requirements, our Pathways and Capstone course opportunities, and resources available in all of our departments!
• EPHS Counselors visit CMS for Course Selection Information Sessions January 31: We are excited to share that our high school counseling team will be visiting CMS to provide important course selection information for students transitioning to high school. These sessions are designed to help students and families feel informed and confident as they begin planning for the next step in their academic journey.
• Course Selection opens in Infinite Campus February 3: Students are able to begin course selection in Infinite Campus using the Academic Planner.
• Course Selection Open House Night, February 4, 6-8 p.m. at EPHS: An important event designed to help students and their families explore academic opportunities and make informed decisions about the upcoming school year. Meet with teachers and department leads to learn more about course offerings and receive personalized guidance. Watch for emails and a postcard with more specific information coming soon!
• Course Selection in EP Link (formerly Connections ) on February 4 & February 11: Counselors will walk through the graduation requirements and course selection process with students during our Tuesday EP Link. Students will engage with our Xello platform to explore courses and map out their high school experience.
• No Homework Night on February 10: This evening has been designated to give students and families time to focus on the important process of course selection for the 25-26 school year. We hope this allows families to engage thoughtfully in planning a schedule that supports both academic success and personal growth.
• Course selection in Infinite Campus closes on February 18.

Opportunities await in the 2025-26 school year for each of our students to maximize their high school experience.  We look forward to partnering with you in that pursuit!

AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college and adulthood. At EPHS, AVID scholars are expected to take one honors/AP or stretch course each year that they are part of the AVID program. The AVID Elective class not only offers support to students in these AP and Honors courses, but also engages them in AVID-designed curriculum grounded in WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) strategies. AVID scholars must commit to the EPHS AVID pillars which include maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, demonstrating good attendance, following EPHS behavior policies, demonstrating individual determination, advocating for themselves, maintaining an organization/to do list system, and having a goal to attend a 2 or 4 year college. AVID is designed to increase overall academic performance, success in rigorous coursework, and participation in activities at school. Students must apply to be enrolled in the AVID Elective course. Students who have applied and are accepted to the AVID program will work with their counselor to be registered. If you are interested in applying to be a student in the AVID elective, please contact your high school counselor.

Students must apply for AVID by submitting a Google Form application, obtaining a recommendation from an adult mentor/coach/teacher/advisor, and participating in a brief interview.

If you are interested in applying for AVID, please talk to your high school counselor. They will share the application form with you. If you have more questions about the AVID program, please email Quynh Vu (AVID Coordinator) at qvu@edenpr.org.Application Timeline:

• For priority seating in AVID, to apply to be a NEW AVID student for the next school year (2025-2026), applications are due February 7, 2025.
• The AVID application will be open until end of April 2025, in which applications after the priority deadline will be accepted on rolling seat availability.

Advanced Journalism: Yearbook

Prerequisite: Please complete this application

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Credits: 1/term

This course meets a Fine Arts requirement

Are you self-motivated, creative, and enjoy collaborating with classmates? This is a hands-on class for students with school pride who will take on the rewarding task of creating the school's yearbook. Learn and apply journalistic writing, design and photography skills while working as part of a student-directed team. Students should register for at least two terms, but are encouraged to sign up for the entire year.

AVID

See AVID tab on the Registration Hub for more details.

At Eden Prairie High School, we want every student to have a college level experience before they graduate. There are Honors and Advanced Placement courses within almost every department so that students can take higher-level courses in areas they are passionate about.

Who can take AP or Honors courses?

Any student can self-select into all EPHS courses including Honors and AP courses after meeting any prerequisite course and grade-level requirements.

What are AP courses?

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program, sponsored by the College Board, is an opportunity for high school students to pursue and receive credit for college-level coursework.

Why should my child think about taking AP courses?

Students should consider these courses if they would like to have more intellectually challenging classes. Colleges consider the rigor of high school coursework in their admissions decisions, as this shows students’ ability and willingness to work hard. Additionally, students have the opportunity to earn college credit.

How are Honors courses different from AP courses?

Honors courses cover similar content as regular high school courses, adding more breadth and depth to the material. Honors courses provide a strong foundation for continuing on to Advanced Placement and other college-level courses. Honors courses are not sponsored by the College Board and do not offer opportunities for college credit.

Does AP mean more homework?

Our teachers work extremely hard to make the workload manageable and support students. AP courses are more rigorous, and students can expect a higher workload. The amount and type of homework varies depending on the specific AP course.

Is AP expensive?

Eden Prairie Schools will cover the cost for each student’s first AP exam registration in their high school career. Students who choose to register for more than one AP exam will be responsible for those registration fees. After the first exam, fees are: $60 or $95 per exam (depending upon the type of exam). For students who qualify for educational benefits, or free or reduced lunch, there is no cost to students/families. Even though taking AP courses may involve a cost, there is potential for saving money by earning college credits.

What can I do as a parent/guardian?

As a parent/guardian, you can support your child's academic goals. This includes discussing the benefits and challenges of taking AP courses, helping them use their time effectively, and encouraging them to seek help when needed. It's essential to maintain open communication with your child and their teachers to stay informed about their progress. Also, you can explore available resources and support services provided by the school to assist your child in succeeding in AP courses.

For more information contact Kelsey Snyder, EPHS Talent Development Programming Specialist, 9-12 at ksnyder@edenpr.org or 952-975-8049.

We hope you were able to join us on February 4 for our 2025-26 Course Selection Open House! If you attended, we encourage you to fill out this survey to make this event even better in the future!

The schedule for the event below provides opportunities to:

• Attend general sessions to get an overview on course selection for the upcoming school year.
• Ask questions and connect with staff from various departments at tables located above the South Commons throughout the evening.
• Attend breakout sessions to learn more in-depth information by department or program. Breakout sessions will begin at 6:30 p.m. The schedule for breakout sessions will be provided at the event.

Pre-Event Special Sessions

Informational Sessions

EP Online is our district’s comprehensive K-12 virtual school, which offers a wide variety of online courses in order to maximize flexibility and personalized learning opportunities.  Students at Eden Prairie High School are eligible to register for EPO courses in either a full-time capacity (14-16 credits per year) or a part-time capacity (1-2 credits per term).  

This EPO Course List overviews the full catalog of classes available at EP Online and describes the format and term-length available for each course:

• Synchronous courses hold “live” class sessions on Zoom during a scheduled period within the school day; students interact with their teacher and peers in real-time most days of the week. (Note: Attendance at synchronous sessions is optional; students may choose to complete these courses asynchronously if desired)
• Asynchronous courses feature “independent” coursework on Schoology that is completed by students at self-determined and self-paced times throughout the week; students do not typically collaborate with other students in these courses and primarily communicate with their teachers through email or Schoology.
• Semi-Synchronous courses are largely asynchronous in nature but typically feature one synchronous class session per week (i.e. an individualized lesson, a guest speaker, a discussion-based assessment, etc.)
• Semester-Length courses run for two consecutive academic terms and issue 2.0 credits. Students need to complete both terms of content to successfully complete a semester-length course.
• Quarter-Length courses run for a single academic term and issue 1.0 credit. Many quarter-length courses at EPO have an “additional term” of content that can optionally be taken to make the course become semester-length, if desired.  
• Skinny-Length courses run at half the pace as a regular course, resulting in a 1.0 credit being earned over a half-year or 2.0 credits being earned over a full year.  Students may choose to pair an in-person skinny course at EPHS with an online skinny course at EPO in order to achieve a full load within a given academic period. 

EP Online provides virtual versions of many of the courses offered in-person at Eden Prairie High School, along with offering a number of unique specialized courses that can only be taken at EPO in an online setting.  For detailed course descriptions, please consult EPO’s virtual course catalog.  

EPHS students who are interested in enrolling with EP Online in a part-time capacity should select the specific EPO course(s) they would like to take within the EPHS Campus’s Academic Planner system. All EPO courses will be listed in the “Electives” section of the course plan sequentially by course number (students should ignore any alert messages suggesting they do not have the appropriate credit totals in various academic content areas; these credits will code correctly once completed at EPO and pushed to student transcripts). EPHS students can take a maximum of 8 credits of EPO coursework within a given school year.

EPHS students who are interested in enrolling with EP Online in a full-time capacity should ask their parents/guardians to submit an In-District Transfer Request to the District Welcome Center (enroll@edenpr.org). Once approved, students will be assigned an EPO Counselor who will schedule a meeting with the student’s family to make EPO course selections. 

EP Online is also proud to offer its Summer Soar program to all EPHS students. For a small fee (used to cover summer operating costs not funded by the state of Minnesota), EPO Summer Soar allows students to complete up to 2.0 credits worth of courses in an asynchronous format during an 8-week term in June, July, and August. This is a great opportunity for students to “work ahead” and complete graduation requirements in over twenty different courses over the summer, providing more space in students’ schedules during the regular school year for other learning or work opportunities. Interested students can sign up for Summer Soar courses in MyPayments Plus.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a diploma from Eden Prairie High School, a student must meet the requirements prescribed by the school district. The graduation requirements are outlined below.

Intermediate District 287 serves high school students by offering courses that are designed to match each student’s level of career readiness. Intermediate District 287’s career courses focus on career skill development experiences and exploration. 

CREDITS/SCHEDULING: 

• Each semester class offered at CTC equals 3 credits.
• CTC courses are one semester in length. 
• Many programs offer articulated college credit.
• Transportation is provided for the 10:00 session only 

To register for a CTC course, please select it in your academic planner and a counselor will meet with you after registration to complete the application. Download 2025-2026 287 CTC - Career & Tech Course Guide

Pursuing a Pathway

As students pursue their educational goals, they have the incredible opportunity to follow focused Pathways to provide the necessary experience and skills for their next steps after graduation. Each Pathway centers around a broad collection of career fields that include: 

• Core and elective course offerings at EPHS (referred to as Pathway Supporting courses) 

• Extracurricular activities related to the interest area 

• Capstone Courses for 11th and 12th grade students 

• Certifications and Credentials from area colleges, professional organizations and more 

• Opportunities to earn college credit

Students can take individual courses within a Pathway or choose to complete a Pathway and have it included on their official transcript. Completing a Pathway requires 10 credits including a Capstone course. Students have several supporting courses and extracurricular activities to choose from to tailor their plans for their goals. See course guide for more details on Pathway options, courses, and opportunities.  Courses within a pathway have a specific notation, so that students and families can quickly identify them, please see the planning sheets below to plan and select pathways courses!

Pathway Resources

BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT - Planning Guide & Course Listing

HUMAN & PUBLIC SERVICES - Planning Guide & Course Listing

NATURAL & APPLIED SCIENCES - Planning Guide & Course Listing

ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, & MANUFACTURING - Planning Guide & Course Listing

COMMUNICATION & ARTS - Planning Guide & Course Listing

Capstone Courses

Watch this video to hear teachers speak about their Capstone courses and students speak to their experience in Capstone courses!

Capstone courses are the culmination of student exploration, learning, and experience within a career pathway. Specifically, students acquire, apply, and demonstrate learning in personalized ways that authentically reflect how professionals think and act within the career field. Capstones center each student’s interest, identities, and strengths to provide experiences that will prepare them for specific college, career, and civic opportunities post-graduation. Students can take multiple Capstone courses as long as they have met the prerequisites, and don’t need to have completed all Pathway Supporting Courses in order to complete the Capstone. 

Each Capstone course provides

• Instruction and assessment utilize the resources, tasks, purposes, and audiences regularly found within the career field

• Collaboration with professionals in the field via guest instructors, site visits, and project partnerships 

• An opportunity for students to choose how to demonstrate their learning 

Some Capstone courses have prerequisites (see course guide for prerequisites) that prepare them for the Capstone experience. Our Capstone courses have a specific notation in the course guide, so that students and families can quickly identify options.  Completion of a Capstone course will be noted on a student’s transcript beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.

Capstone offerings for next school year include

• Entrepreneurship Capstone
• Integrated Marketing & Analytics Capstone
• Education Capstone
• Civics in ACTION Capstone
• Science Research & Design Capstone
• Biomedical Internship: CNA Capstone
• Principles of Engineering Capstone
• Advanced Woodcrafting Capstone
• iOS App Development Capstone
• Aeronautics Capstone
• Art Capstone
• Media and Communication Capstone

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college-level courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Most PSEO programs offer classes on campus, online (synchronous and asynchronous) and some blended.

Each participating college or university sets its own requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. 11th and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th graders may take one career/technical PSEO course. If they earn at least a grade of C in that class, they may take additional PSEO courses. There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course.

Visit the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) PSEO website for more information including an updated list of participating colleges.

Visit the EPHS PSEO webpage for more information. For specific questions, please contact your student's counselor.

Graduation requirement change for the Class of 2028 and beyond

During the 2023 session, the Minnesota legislature required that all Minnesota high school students, beginning with the Class of 2028, take a course for credit in personal finance to graduate.

While we believe strongly in the importance of financial literacy, the addition of this state-mandated credit requirement naturally limits the amount of choice available to our students as they plan their high school schedules. We are deeply committed to authentic and personalized learning and each student taking their own unique Inspired Journey in our schools. For that reason, beginning with the Class of 2028, students will no longer be required to take a technology credit to graduate from Eden Prairie Schools. 

• Classes of  2026 and 2027 (current 10^th-11^th graders): No change to requirements (Technology credit still required; personal finance not required)
• Classes of 2028, 2029 (current 8^th and 9^th graders) and beyond: Technology credit not required; personal finance required

We strongly encourage all students to explore our outstanding technology and computer science courses. Our programs are among the best in the state, and students can choose from courses ranging from Computer Science Principles to Cybersecurity and the iOS Mobile App Development Capstone. Personal Finance and Finance for your Future will fulfill the personal finance credit requirement. 

Have questions about the new graduation requirements? We’re here to support. 

• Guidance counselors: Counselors are available to discuss how these changes will affect individual academic plans.
• Course Selection sessions: Graduation requirement changes will be discussed during Course Selection events, including the Course Selection 101 session at Open House, Grade Level Meetings/Course Selection Rush, and our Course Selection EP Link periods.
• Course Selection Resources: A detailed guide to the updated requirements and course descriptions will be distributed to students and available on our Course Selection Hub.

Many courses offered at EPHS have the potential to earn a student college credit. However, there are different types of college credit. The “type” determines how the credit is awarded, how transferable it might be, and which universities might accept the credit. The table below is intended to help students and families understand the different types of credit and potential impact they may have. Every college/university institution handles credits transferring in differently, so to best understand your situation, Eden Prairie Schools recommends you contact the admissions office at the college/university in which you are interested in applying to. Should additional clarification be needed, please contact your counselor.