Running Start is a program which allows eligible juniors and seniors in public Washington state high schools the opportunity to earn both college credit and high school credit at the same time.

• Students under 21 years of age who are enrolled as a junior or senior in a public Washington state high school, who have not earned a diploma, and who have placed in English 101 and/ or Math 116/122 on the Compass Test.
• Seniors who did not access Running Start during their junior or senior year of high school and who did not graduate from high school may begin Running Start in their fifth year. 5th year seniors may take only the classes that are required for high school graduation.

No. Tuition is covered for up to 18 college-level credit courses per quarter. (College-level courses are courses above the 100 level. i.e. English 101 or Math 116)

In general 5 college credits are equivalent to 1 high school credit. The high school determines how much credit is given.

Students may enroll in a combination of college and high school classes or attend full-time at the college. It is important for students to plan their schedule wisely leaving sufficient time for home work, transportation time, and other activities.

• Certain selective colleges will not accept college credits for which high school credit was given.
• Some colleges will not give credit for a class that was available at the high school, i.e., English Composition, U.S. History.
• Students may not qualify for some scholarships at four-year institutions.
• Schedule coordination and transportation may be difficult for students with courses at the high school and college.
• Schedule Planning may be difficult because the college is on a quarter system and most high schools are on a semester system. Breaks may not coincide.
• Grades for Spring Quarter may not be available in time for high school graduation.
• Students pay for books and transportation and a one-time student ID card fee. Books can be expensive.
• The pace of classes is much faster than in high school. Courses that take a year to complete in high school must be completed in 11 weeks.