New Schools Information

Non-Site-Based Independent Study

WASC Accreditation. In December 2002 UC faculty approved a policy that requires all California public and private high schools to be WASC-accredited (or a candidate for accreditation) in order to establish and/or maintain an "a-g" course list. The University strongly encourages all schools to update their WASC accreditation information with any changes of dates or status. Updating your WASC information can be found at "Step 1" of the University's course submission web site. Accurate WASC accreditation is critical for freshman eligibility to the University of California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should a new school establish its "a-g" course list?

A: A new school does not need to establish an "a-g" course list until they have an entering Junior Class. So, following the standard timeline for updating course lists, a new school should submit course descriptions/outlines prior to the September that they expect to have entering Juniors. However, before submitting the request to establish a course list, schools must:

contact The College Board to request a College Board code (see next FAQ for further information),
begin the process to become WASC accredited (see the previous FAQ for further information), and
complete the survey for new schools and submit it to UC for review.

Q: What is the process for establishing a course list?

A: First, UC asks that schools complete the New School Survey and return it to UC by September 1. Based on that information, UC staff will determine if the school is eligible to establish a list. If/when you receive positive response, you should can begin to compile your list, using the "course description template" available on this web site to develop course descriptions that thoroughly describe the course content and student expectations. The update site opens February 1^st and closes September 20^th, at which time the "a-g" Online Update web site closes to prepare for the upcoming submission cycle.

Q: Does a school have to be WASC-accredited to establish an "a-g" course list?

A: At their December 2002 meeting, the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) established a policy that requires both public and private schools to be either WASC candidates or WASC accredited in order to establish a course list. It is advised that new schools begin the process for WASC accreditation as early as feasible. To file for “candidacy status” for accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), contact Christine Lunny or Marsha Carroll at (650) 696-1060.

Q: How does a new school request a school code from the College Board?

A: To request a school code from the College Board, an institution must: (1) teach at least through the 10th grade, or provide evidence that a 10th grade will be added within the next 12 months; (2) have a course of study that leads to a diploma or GED; and (3) have a minimum of 10 students enrolled in grades 9-12. To request the necessary form, schools can either call the College Board in New Jersey, at (609) 771-7091, send a request by fax to (609) 771-7766, or send an email request to the College Board.

Q: Does UC establish an "a-g" course list for each year that the first graduating class attends a new school? If we establish our school's "a-g" course list when the first graduating class is in the 11th grade, is the initial course list retroactive to the year they were freshmen?

A: Yes. When a new school establishes an "a-g" course list, UC replicates that list retroactively for several years such that there exists a course list for each year that the first graduating class attended the school.

Q: Can non-site based independent study schools establish a course list?

A. Yes, the procedure for establishing a course list for non-site based schools is the same as it is for site-based schools. UC faculty has approved a policy that enables non-site based independent study schools to establish a course list. This policy applies to any public or private high school in which at least half of the students receive 80 percent of their instruction off campus. The New School Survey Form which is required to be completed by all schools has additional questions for non-site based independent study schools to answer.

Q: Can non-diploma-granting secondary institutions establish "a-g" course lists?

A: No. UC-approved "a-g" course lists are established only by diploma-granting high schools in California for use by students when they apply to UC (and CSU) and by admissions officers in evaluating the students' applications. It is the school board from the diploma granting institution/district that bears the responsibility to authorize that all state requirements have been met by those students receiving diplomas. Thus, only those institutions may establish "a-g" course lists for their students.