In June 2022, the Sheboygan Area School District and Lakeland University signed an innovative agreement to expand access to college credit courses at no cost to high school students. SASD students now have free access to Lakeland Concurrent Academic Progress Program (CAPP) courses, which provide high school and college credits simultaneously.

SASD high schools have offered college credit classes for many years; however, students typically paid a fee to gain college credit for classes that were successfully completed. Access to the free CAPP classes through Lakeland University rolled out this fall, and the number of students enrolled for college credit has increased by over 35%, with 1,140 students enrolled in a Lakeland CAPP class at North or South High School in the first semester.

North and South High Schools have also increased the number of CAPP classes offered through Lakeland University, with currently more than 25 class options. In fact, both schools will offer enough free CAPP classes that a student can graduate from SASD with a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts or Science from Lakeland University at the same time.

Jennifer Scapellato, a Language Arts Teacher at South High School, is starting her third year teaching CAPP classes. She started teaching CAPP Modern Literature in the fall of 2021 and CAPP 5/6 English in the fall of 2022. She is currently working to have an additional course aligned and approved for the second semester so students would be able to earn both their Composition credits during their junior year through the CAPP program. This group of courses represents the traditional Composition writing and research courses students would encounter at the post-secondary level.

 

“When I speak to parents, they are excited to hear about the thought that has gone into the arrangement and availability of classes that will provide future opportunities for the student. Additionally, parents of my younger students are asking many more questions about the CAPP program now that the Lakeland University credits are free to the students,” Scapellato shared.

Superintendent Seth Harvatine visited Scapellato’s classroom and talked to students about their work in the class. He was impressed with the high-level curriculum and the thoughtful discussions about the students’ research papers.

Scapellato also shared that her students are very excited about the potential money they will save by earning CAPP credits. “These credits earned while in high school can reduce the overall time students need to spend in college, allowing them to save money. Students have expressed gratitude for the ability to earn the credits at no cost and realize that they are being given an amazing opportunity that could have a huge impact on their futures.”

Lakeland CAPP classes previously would have cost a student and their family around $290, while the equivalent course taken in college could cost two to three times that.

“By offering the classes on-site, taught by a high school teacher credentialed to grant college credit, and at no cost, we are making college classes extremely accessible for any student. Our ultimate goal is to prepare students for their next step after high school, and this program is a huge piece of helping students do that,” said Harvatine. 

“We are excited and appreciative about the ability to work with Lakeland University to provide significant educational benefits to our students,'' said Harvatine. “Early interest in the Lakeland CAPP program is very positive, and we look forward to seeing the future growth in enrollment and courses offered and the increasing numbers of students able to participate.”

Students and parents can reach out to their school counselors at North and South High Schools to learn more about the CAPP course offerings.