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.

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, 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.