South Dakota

The options for eligibility for the 2008-09 school year for a student from South Dakota are:

• A set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative.  This program of study requires passing grades in the following:




• Four years of English;


• Three years of Math (including Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, Geometry, or Data Analysis and Statistics);


• Three years of science (including at least two courses from biology, chemistry or physics);


• Three years of social studies; and


• One year of a foreign language. 

• Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and test scores.  This program requires a minimum of two Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in high school and a minimum passing score on the exams for those classes.  Students must score 3 or higher on AP exams and 4 or higher on IB exams. 

For a more complete list of Rigorous Programs by state.  Click Here [External Hyperlink]