The same supports that currently exists for students who are struggling in high school will be available to students who are taking DE: after-school tutoring, availability of teachers for additional help, and the like.

Teachers and sites will continue to monitor grades and provide additional academic support as needed.

Academic support through the community college is also available.

For more visit out Student and Parent DE page.

All DE students also have access to Sierra  tutoring as well as any tutoring on the high school campus. For more, visit our Student and Parent DE page.

AP and IB are designed to offer students the most rigorous “college-like” experience while still in high school. At the end of an AP or IB course, students are expected to take a test (there’s a cost for the test, although waivers are available for eligible students). Colleges determine the scores accepted from these exams for college credit. DE courses, on the other hand, are actual community college courses.

Depending on the subject matter and level, DE might not cover as much material as  an AP /IB course; however, they are still college level courses. There’s no external test to take at the conclusion of a DE class, and the grade that the student earns will be the one that goes onto their college transcripts. CSUs, UCs and any other institutions that accept community college units will provide college units when a DE course is successfully passed.

There’s no “better” course between DE, AP and IB. Students are encouraged to take courses that fit into their sequence of study based on interests, strengths, intentions, post-secondary goals, and their overall academic plan for their high school experience. Students should focus on a pathway that best prepares them for success at the next level, rather than just looking at course choice through the lens of college credit and weighted GPAs.

Just like AP and IB, the purpose of DE is to give students a college experience while still in high school.

In other cases, DE may be in a core academic area or in a CTE Pathway class.

Both high school graduation credits and community college units are earned in the designated courses. 

For example, Economics 1A grants students high school credits in Economics towards graduation, as well as three college units for Economics transcripted by the college

Colleges view DE as a weighted honors level course when students apply for admission. CSUs and UCs look favorably on DE as a sign that students are pushing themselves academically. When students apply to most colleges, they are able to receive an honors “bump” during the application process; many colleges, including the UC system, will consider these honor levels classes when applying. For more information, visit the Cal State Application Guide.

The credits earned through DE courses will be assigned to the permanent college transcript by the partner college and will be identical to the units earned at Sierra College. Therefore, any college that accepts Sierra College units, will also accept DE credit; there is no difference on student transcripts. However, students should  still research the colleges they are applying for to see if the DE class from Sierra College is accepted as transferable credit.

Any student with an IEP is welcome to enroll in a DE course. However, it should be noted that support for students in a DE course may look different than support in a high school course. Please visit the Student and Parent DE page for detailed information.

No, unfortunately, if you do not enroll, you may not stay in the course. You do not have to have plans to go to Sierra College to enroll in a DE course, and if you plan on going to a 4-year MOST will take your transfer credits you earn from your DE course with Sierra College. 

If you do not see yourself going to college, it is ok to take the classes, your credits will be on standby for a good amount of time.

Anything is fine! You can change your mind later. You are not tied to your first selection. 

Select the option for "no, I do not have one" for now. It is okay not to include your social security number, as long as your name is completely correct on your application. 

Your student status is "Currently a high school student and first time college student," because you are both. If you are a senior, you will still select this option because you have not graduated yet. 

You may select "does not apply" because it will not affect your status. Military families have benefits, but because you are still in high school, the DE classes are free and you do not need to use these benefits. Save them for when you graduate!

A few things to try:

1. Please try to check your spam or junk folders.
2. Return to your application, and verify that you submitted your application by clicking on the eyeball under "View Application". 
3. Email outreach@sierracollege.edu with a screenshot of your application to verify. 

From the mySierra Login, click on the "reset password" link. Please use your NEW Sierra College email, not the username, that was sent to you in the "Welcome to Sierra" email. 

You must sign your form and click on the "Submit Form" button, THEN your parents/guardians will receive an email with how to complete the form.