Eligibility and Enrollment

• Eligibility Requirements

  Eligibility criteria for enrollment into the ALC

  (a) A pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements of section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), and a pupil with a disability until the pupil is 22 years of age, is eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program statute 124D.68, if the pupil:

  1. Performs substantially below the performance level for pupils of the same age in a locally determined achievement test
  2. Is behind in satisfactorily completing coursework or obtaining credits for graduation
  3. Is pregnant or is a parent
  4. Has been assessed as having substance use disorder
  5. Has been excluded or expelled
  6. Has been referred by a school district for enrollment in an eligible program
  7. Is a victim of physical or sexual abuse
  8. Has experienced mental health problems
  9. Has experienced homelessness sometime within six months before requesting a transfer to an eligible program
  10. Speaks English as a second language or is an English learner
  11. Has withdrawn from school or has been chronically truant
  12. Is being treated in a hospital in the seven-county metropolitan area for cancer or other life-threatening illness or is the sibling of an eligible pupil who is currently being treated, and resides with the pupil’s family at least 60 miles beyond the outside boundary of the seven-county metropolitan area

  (b) A pupil is eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program under section 124D.68 and in concurrent enrollment courses offered under section 124D.09, subdivision 10, and is funded in the same manner as other pupils under this section if the pupil otherwise qualifies under paragraph (a), is at least 21 years of age and not yet 22 years of age, and:

  (1) is an English learner with a limited or interrupted formal education according to section 124D.59, subdivision 2a; or

  (2) meets three of the following four requirements:

  (i) comes from a home where the language usually spoken is other than English, or usually speaks a language other than English;

  (ii) enters school in the United States after grade 6;

  (iii) functions at least two years below expected grade level in reading and mathematics; and

  (iv) may be preliterate in the English learner’s native language.

• New students to Northfield School District

  Students who are new to Northfield Public Schools must contact the Area Learning Center at 507.645.1201 to begin the registration process.

  Once a student meets the eligibility requirements, he or she must meet with the director for registration. The following will be reviewed:

  • a transcript or credit report
  • a Continual Learning Plan
  • a discussion of the ALC’s philosophy and policies

  Parent Permission is necessary for a student who is enrolled in High School and under 18 years of age.  A mandatory intake meeting will be held with the student, parent/guardian, and the ALC Director.

• Current Northfield District Students

  Students and/or parents should contact their High School counselor to determine a plan.  The High School Counselor will contact ALC Director as the first step in the referral process.

  Students must meet an eligibility requirement.

• Special Education students

  A team meeting is required if a student is receiving Special Education services. The team must agree that the ALC will best meet the student’s educational needs. Individuals involved should include but may not be limited to: principal and/or counselor, ALC director, case manager, regular education teachers, parents and the student. Parents are encouraged to be present at the meeting.

  Once the team meeting has taken place, an intake with the ALC Director will occur if applicable.