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To provide access to learning opportunities in areas of interest beyond what is offered at d.tech, provide an appropriate educational pathway, as well as challenging opportunities for academically advanced students.
To encourage students to build and maintain a strong connection with the d.tech community.
To fairly represent the student’s academic achievement on their transcript.
To ensure equitable access to education for all students while pursuing their education at d.tech.

This policy is intended as a guide for any student currently enrolled at Design Tech High School who wishes to take a course at an accredited, UC A-G approved outside institution and apply those credits to their d.tech transcript.

Objectives and Purpose

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Policy Overview

Students must take English and Design Lab at Design Tech High School every year
Enrollment at d.tech is full-time:

Freshman must take a minimum of 6 d.tech courses throughout the year.
Sophomores must take a minimum of 5 d.tech courses throughout the year.
Juniors must take a minimum of 4 d.tech courses throughout the year.
Seniors must take a minimum of 3 d.tech courses throughout the year.

For courses to be eligible for transfer onto a d.tech transcript they must be:

Taken at an approved college or program. (Refer to slide 9)
Be UC A-G Approved

Prior to enrolling in courses, students must complete the d.tech Concurrent Enrollment Form for classes to be approved and added to their transcript.
Students are responsible for submitting an official transcript to records@dtechhs.org for any pre-approved courses to be added to their d.tech transcript.
The cost of all courses and materials taken outside of d.tech are the responsibility of the student and their family.

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Important Steps

Go to the Concurrent Enrollment Website for step-by-step instructions:

(password GOdragons!)

Sign up for a Concurrent Enrollment Flex time
Apply for the college (SMCCD, De Anza/Foothill) through OpenCCC
Complete the d.tech Course Request Form and college Course Connection Form

Please use the Concurrent Enrollment Website to learn more about this process.

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Community College Classes

Students may enroll at any California Community College free for up to 11 units per semester.
UC A-G courses taken at California Community Colleges are always accepted on d.tech transcripts.
Please refer to the College Equivalency Chart and consult with your grade level counselor prior to enrolling for a class replacing d.tech credit.
Please consult the Concurrent Enrollment Website for instructions on how to register.
Student should attend a Concurrent Enrollment Flex time with their grade-level counselor to learn more.

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World Language

World language must be obtained through an accredited, UC A-G Approved program.
Students may take their World Language requirement through various programs:

Spanish 1-3 at d.tech
Languages at the community colleges:

Mandarin, Japanese, ASL, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Vietnamese, & more!

Private programs (family-paid):

Language Bird, UC Scout, BYU Independent Study, SVHS, APEX Learning, Fusion

Students must complete at least through the 2nd level of their World Language to receive graduation credit.
Students planning to attend college after high school are recommended to take at least 3 years of the same World Language.

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Course Equivalent Classes

Students must take English and D.Lab at d.tech

Students may replace math, science, art, and social studies courses with approved community college classes throughout the year as long as they carry the required number of academic courses at d.tech.

Freshman must take a minimum of 6
Sophomores must take a minimum of 5
Juniors must take a minimum of 4
Seniors must take a minimum of 3

Why?

You are a full-time d.tech student; building community and participating in the design thinking process with your peers is essential to the d.tech experience. Engaging on campus builds connections between you, your peers, and staff.

Exceptions to private-pay

math courses:

Geometry & Algebra 2 may begin enrollment during the Spring semester through private-pay programs.

Please see here for more info

Why?

AB No. 705 began implementation in California in 2019, eliminating Geometry and Algebra 2 from community college course offerings. Since these courses can’t be offered through the CCs then students may pursue paid options to work ahead in Spring/Summer time.

(Some schools may continue to offer these as they slowly begin adhering to the bill)

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Pre-Approved Colleges/Programs

California Community Colleges

SMCCD: (Skyline, Cañada, CSM)
Foothill-De Anza Community Colleges

High school students receive free enrollment up to 11 units per semester

This does not include the cost of textbooks and supplies.

These can be taken throughout the year.

Private Paid Programs

UC Scout
BYU Independent Study
Stanford Online High School
Silicon Valley Online High School (SVHS)

These courses can ONLY be taken during the summer.

Exceptions to this:

World Language can be taken any time.
Geometry and Algebra 2 can begin in the Spring semester.

All courses taken outside of d.tech and the associated textbooks and supplies are the financial responsibility of students and their families.

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FAQ

How do I register for classes?

Please refer to our Concurrent Enrollment website under the Community Resources tab on designtechhighschool.org for step-by-step instructions and join our Flex times.

Can I take AP classes and AP tests?

d.tech does not offer AP courses. If a student wishes to transfer AP credits to their d.tech transcript it must be taken during the summer, along with all other private pay options. We do not offer AP testing. Please explore our Honors options to engage in more academic rigor.

I have an IEP or 504, can I use that at the community college?

This is handled through the college. You must reach out to your college’s DSPS program and schedule an appointment with them. This must be done by the student–not the parent.

Why can I only take Community College Classes and World Language during the year?

Community colleges offer free tuition for high school students. Our values of trust, care, and liberation remind us to consider the equity of all students and ensure each student has access to the same education as their peers.

The program I want to take a class at isn’t on the list, can I still take it?

Please complete this form if you would like us to review a program or class. This process can take time, please be patient with us.

Can I take a class for a Pass/Fail grade?

No, you will receive a letter grade for UC A-G approved courses.

How many community college classes can I take?

Up to 11 units per semester are free for high school students. Anything taken beyond that will charge the student the whole cost of all units.

Why did you choose those pre-approved programs?

These programs are accredited and UC A-G approved. They have been taken by students in the past and have demonstrated rigor appropriate for our students.

If I get a bad grade in one of my community college classes, does it have to go on my transcript?

When you request your official transcript, your college will give us the whole transcript with all grades. We do not choose classes individually, all grades and classes will be transferred over.

I really want to take AP’s, or private pay classes, how do I make this happen?

You can take any outside classes you’d like throughout the year. However, if you wish to have them on your d.tech transcript, they must align with this concurrent enrollment policy.

My question isn’t on this list, now what?

Please complete this form or email your grade-level counselor and we will get back to you.

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