Student's Right to Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 protects the privacy of a student's education records by placing limits on whom may have access to the records, what information may be shared or disclosed, and how that information may be used. Santa Monica College complies with FERPA and has strict policies and procedures in place governing student records. Because High School Concurrent Enrollment students are considered college students (even if underage), SMC does not permit access to their education records or disclose information in them to anyone (including parents).
This means that if calling, emailing, or visiting SMC to get any kind of student record information, students MUST be the person of contact. We cannot give any student record information to parents or guardians, regardless of the student's age. General questions are welcomed by anyone.
Encourage Student Involvement
The High School Concurrent Enrollment program gives students actual college exposure and experience. Our staff is here to help and guide them through the process, and the program is an ideal opportunity for students to gain skills and encounter and resolve issues relevant to their futures with a support team in place. The best classroom and program experience results have come from when parents encourage their children to take the lead. Ultimately it is the student that will be seated in our college classroom, and the student that will be responsible for their grade.
Parent involvement as an active bystander helps the student, and such support is much appreciated. Finding ways to keep students responsible and in charge of their application process, course requirements, and motivated towards their goals strengthens student success.
Getting High School Credit
Our courses are college courses. This may seem obvious, but it means that we do not make equivalencies to high school courses. Sometimes high schools do give credit for our courses to meet high school graduation requirements, but such decisions are strictly between the student and their high school. Students should talk to their high school counselor before enrolling.
As our courses are college courses they will become part of the student's permanent college record, including the corresponding credit and GPA. Classes cannot be audited or forfeited in any way.
Additionally, students will not be permitted to enroll in subject areas where they previously received a grade below a C—whether taken at the college or high school level.
HSCE program students may be exposed to material you may deem unsuitable. However, SMC instructors must teach based on the requirements of the course and have the academic freedom to teach in a manner appropriate for the course--not the student.
Program Fees
Tuition is FREE for all resident students physically attending high school in California; a savings of $138 to $276 for a typical High School Concurrent Enrollment program participant. Students are responsible for all other fees (e.g., course materials, books, health fee, other). More information concerning fees.
Special Accommodations
SMC offers services to students with disabilities through our Disabled Student Programs and Services Office (DSPS). Students should contact them directly to get more information. Accommodations cannot be granted retroactively. It is important to seek these services before classes start.
Homework and Preparing for Class
College classes demand an average of two to three hours of homework for each hour of class. A 3-unit class will have approximately 6-9 hours of homework each week, and the total time commitment of about 12 hours a week. Unlike high school, there is no classroom time for homework.
It is the student's responsibility to be prepared each day for class and meet all course deadlines. College instructors normally do not offer make-up work for students who are behind or need to improve their grade. The syllabus handed out at the beginning of the term outlines expectations.
Attendance
Most faculty members are aware of a student's pattern of attendance and may factor it into the final grade. Regardless of whether the student has attended class, the instructor will hold them accountable for understanding the material covered in class or assigned for that day. It is the student's responsibility to be prepared each day for class and meet all deadlines.
Some instructors give pop quizzes and expect all papers to be turned in on time with no possibility to make up work. Faculty will provide a syllabus at the beginning of the quarter outlining their expectations. It is the student's responsibility to understand and follow through with these expectations.
Withdrawing from (Dropping) a Class
Students can drop a class by through the "Drop Deadline" for the class. Deadlines are posted in Corsair Connect--the student portal--under the student's class schedule. Student have until the "Avoid a W" deadline to drop a class with no impact on their college transcript.
Students are responsible for dropping themselves in Corsair Connect if they no longer want to be in the class. A "W" will be posted on the transcript for courses dropped after the "Avoid a W" deadline. Students may only drop through the 75% of the class. The 'W' does not impact college GPA.
Grades and Academic Records
Grades are not mailed to students. Grades can be accessed through Corsair Connect, the student portal. Grades received become part of the permanent college transcript (including Ws). If students apply to other colleges, they must list Santa Monica College as a college attended and request an official transcript (from SMC) be sent to the receiving school to verify college course work.
Support Services
SMC counts with dozens of student support services at SMC. For a comprehensive list of services see Student Support.