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Running Start

Running Start

What is Running Start

A program where you can complete high school requirements while taking college courses. Students have the opportunity to earn credit towards a high school diploma and a college degree at the same time!

Benefits

  • Gain college experience
  • Demonstrate academic rigor through the college experience
  • Take courses not offered at HS
  • Earn college credit

Enrollment Options

Part Time
  • The number of classes a student takes at Interagency dictates the number of credits a student can take at Central.
  • The typical schedule is 1 classes at a college and the rest at Interagency.
Full Time
  • A student attends a college full time. This schedule allows students to take up to 20 credits per quarter.
  • Option to take 1 Interagency class.

Requirements to be a Running Start Student

  • Must be a student of Junior/Senior standing
  • Must qualify for college-level courses (by taking placement test OR SAT, ACT, SBA)
  • Meet with your counselor each quarter

Credits

A 5-credit class in college = 1 year in HS (1 HS credit)

In other words…

1 College Course (1 Quarter, 11 Weeks, 5 credits) = 1 year of HS

What is a successful Running Start Student?

If I were to describe some one who is historically successful with running start it would be a student who:

  • Has strong attendance/ is comfortable with commuting between high school and the college
  • Willing to seek out support from appropriate folks when barriers are in their way
  • Self-starter and comfortable with working on confusing/tedious tasks with out the expectation that someone will do the tasks for them

Things to Consider

  • HS and College calendars are Different, students are expected to attend their classes even when either the college or high school are on break
  • High School has final authority on high school graduation requirements
  • College classes designed for adult learners, class content will not be censored for younger students
  • Poor performance can jeopardize high school graduation and future college plans or scholarship opportunities
  • FERPA: Federal privacy law limits parents’ or guardians’ access to educational information about students
  • Access Support Services are available at the college for students with IEP or 504 status but might look different than what is provided by the high school

Cost

Running Start will cover tuition costs, but here are things that YOU will have to pay yourself:

  • Transportation
  • Tuition exceeding allowed credit limits
    • RS pays for a MAXIMUM of 21 credits. The amount of credit paid for depends on how many classes the student is taking at HS

All of our students qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch, which means additional fees are waived. Please contact your counselor to get a fee waiver signed.

Enrollment Steps

  • Contact your school counselor
  • Apply for the college of your choice
  • Meet with your counselor get your EVF signed
  • Complete the enrollment packet of the school of your choice, where you will upload your EVF
  • Complete the Direct Skills Placement test or submit your placement documentation
  • Any additional steps the school is requiring of you (orientation, meeting with an advisor, etc)

You will meet with your counselor every quarter to do your EVF.

Any questions? Contact your counselor!