High School Credit
Many high school students earn academic credit for their NOLS expedition through our partnership with Albuquerque Academy. Here is how the program works, how much credit each course length earns, and how to request your official transcript.
Many high school students earn academic credit for the leadership, judgment, and outdoor skills they develop on a NOLS expedition. Credit is granted through a longstanding partnership with Albuquerque Academy, an institution accredited by the New Mexico State Department of Education and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest. Because credit is issued through an accredited school, most high schools are able to accept it toward graduation requirements.
Before you register: Whether NOLS credit counts toward your graduation requirements is decided by your own school. Confirm eligibility with your guidance counselor first, then select the credit option when you register for your course.
The four-step process
1. Consult your guidance counselor
Schedule time with your school counselor to confirm that NOLS credit will be accepted. Individual schools determine whether credits earned through the NOLS and Albuquerque Academy partnership count toward graduation. Your counselor can contact the NOLS registrar (registrar@nols.edu) directly with any questions about how the high school credit program works.
2. Register for credit during course registration
After you register for your course, select the high school credit option on your NOLS student portal. NOLS then transfers your registration information to Albuquerque Academy, which issues the credit and the transcript. The amount of credit you can earn and the associated fee depend on the length of your course.
| Course length | Credit awarded | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Two weeks | 0.5 Physical Education (PE) | $100 |
| Three weeks | 0.5 PE + 0.5 Leadership | $200 |
| One month | 1.0 PE + 0.5 Leadership | $300 |
| Semester length | 1.0 PE + 1.0 Leadership | $400 |
3. Complete your goals and evaluation form
During your course you must complete a goals and evaluation form and submit it to one of your instructors by the final day. This paperwork is required. If it is not completed and turned in, no credit is awarded and the credit fee is not refunded.
4. Receive your official transcript
After you complete your course, Albuquerque Academy emails an official transcript to both the student and parent email addresses on file. Transcripts are processed at three points during the year, so the timing of your transcript depends on when your course starts.
Additional transcripts are available upon request. If you need additional transcripts, you can request them by emailing registrar@nols.edu. Requests for early report of grades will be accommodated if they are made in advance of your course start date.
| NOLS Course Start Date | Transcript Availability |
|---|---|
| December 29 - March 31 | July 1st |
| April 1 - August 15 | September 30th |
| August 16Â - December 28 | February 10th |
If you withdraw
If you withdraw from high school credit registration before your course begins, your credit fee is refunded minus a $25 processing fee.
If you withdraw before the end of the course, credit may be awarded based on the duration and quality of your participation. Credit for separated students is awarded at the discretion of NOLS staff and instructors. The expense for any high school credit not awarded to a separated student will be refunded, minus a $25 processing fee.
Questions about credit? Reach out to the NOLS registrar before your course starts so any questions about eligibility, transcripts, or timing are resolved early. You can also review the full Academic Credit overview for how credit works across all NOLS programs.
High school credit for NOLS courses is granted through a partnership with Albuquerque Academy, which is accredited by the New Mexico State Department of Education and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest. Albuquerque Academy and NOLS are entirely separate entities and no agency or employee relationship exists between them.Â
Keep planning
Related resources
Planning
Academic Credit Overview
How high school and college credit work across NOLS expeditions.
Planning
College Credit
Earn transferable college credit for eligible NOLS courses.
Planning
Planning Your Expedition
Everything you need to prepare, from packing to preparation.
