Skip to Main Content

High School Completion Correspondence Program

For more information, contact:

Amy Besick
High School Correspondence Coordinator; Adjunct ELL Professor
ajbesick@dmacc.edu
515-480-4140

​​The High School Correspondence Program has grown out of a need for students to have access to credit courses outside of the traditional high school. These classes are taken as a transfer credit to the student's home high school. Students need to be enrolled by their home high school guidance counselor or administrator.

DMACC's comprehensive course selection offers students an opportunity to earn credit in both core and elective curriculum. There is an extensive list of online courses available including Credit Recovery, AP/Honors, and Career/Technical Education. Because all courses are independent study, students maximize their opportunities to earn high school credits. Students can complete courses whenever and wherever!

Program Policies & Procedures

Students need to be enrolled by their home high school guidance counselor or administrator.

The fee for each course is $250. Payments can be made by the participating high school or the student. Students wishing to make a payment can call Student Accounts at 515-964-6446. Fees are assessed upon receipt of the enrollment form. No refunds will be given for dropped students or incomplete courses.

Students have four months from the day of enrollment to complete the course. The enrollment date will be approximately five days from the date that the enrollment form was emailed. Time extensions will be granted with an additional enrollment fee.

Most students will complete courses online. Tests are available through the online platform and do not need to be proctored. Online tests are graded instantly. Scores are available to view by the student and the guidance counselor. Paper tests are also available on a case-by-case basis. Paper tests need to be proctored. Test proctors must be certified teachers. The proctor is responsible for the integrity of the testing process.

60% is the minimum acceptable score on any one test in a course. To receive a Course Completion Certificate, the overall course grade needs to be at least 70%. Re-tests will be sent only if a student fails to meet the minimum of 60% on individual tests or is below the 70% minimum for the course. Only one re-test is allowed for each exam. Scores will be averaged with the original score.

When a student successfully completes a course, the participating high school will receive a grade sheet and a completion letter confirming the completion.

After re-tests, if the student still fails to earn an overall average of 70%, a course failure will be processed. The student may re-enroll, but he or she will be required to start the course over. The participating high school will receive a copy of the grade sheet and a course failure letter.

If a student is dropped, either at your request or because the course is not completed within the allotted 4 months, we will maintain the test scores for 12 months from the original enrollment date. You may re-enroll a student during those 12 months, and we will include the existing scores.
 
After one year from the original enrollment date, the student will be required to start the course over. No existing test scores will be honored.

FAQs

Q. How does your program compare to most high schools?
A. The DMACC High School Completion Center is accredited through the Iowa Department of Education just like any other public or private school.

Q. What happens if I do poorly on my coursework?
A. While you must earn a 70% overall to pass each class, you will be given the opportunity to re-take tests, if necessary.

Q. Do I have to wait until the beginning of a semester to enroll in a course?
A. No. Because the program is all independent study, there is ongoing enrollment.

Q. How long do I have to complete a course?
A. You will have four months from the date of the initial enrollment to complete each class.

Q. I still have other questions. How can I get further information?
A. Call us 515-480-4140 or send an email to Amy Besick, ajbesick@dmacc.edu.