Running Start provides an opportunity for juniors and seniors in Washington’s public high schools to enroll in courses at Technical, Community, and Four-Year Colleges. The program, created by the state Legislature, offers academically motivated and qualified students the opportunity to take college courses as part of their high school education.

Students may enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes or solely in college classes. If eligible for the program, they earn both high school and college credit for the college-level classes (100 level or above) they successfully complete. Tuition for Running Start classes is covered by each student’s school district.

You and your parents should give careful consideration to the appropriateness of the program before electing to participate. Running Start is one of several options for earning college credits while still in high school. Guidance counselors and college advisors are available to meet with you and your parents to discuss the options. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Please consider them all before deciding.

Advantages of Running Start

Free Tuition: Students can earn up to two years of tuition-free college credit while finishing high school.

Advanced Coursework: Students have the opportunity to take advanced courses and more diverse elective classes than those available at their high school.

Adult Educational Setting: Students whose academic interests are not met at a traditional high school often flourish in a different setting.

Credits: One five-credit college course equals one high school credit.

Class Scheduling Flexibility: Classes are available mornings, afternoons or evenings and usually year round.

Running Start Homepage at Highline Community College
Running Start Homepage at Green River Community College

Important Considerations

High School Graduation Requirements: Each school district establishes its graduation requirements. Your high school will determine which college courses will fulfill specific high school requirements. Therefore, you must consult with your guidance counselor to ensure that courses selected will transfer back to your high school.

Maturity is Essential: Students must be responsible and have the discipline to handle the independence and fast pace of college classes. College faculty is not informed which students are in Running Start. Faculty will expect from you the same level of classroom participation and quality of work as they do from any college student.

Students Pay For Books and Lab Fees: Books can range form $40 to $125 each; lab fees run from $5 to $50 per class.

Transportation is The Student’s Responsibility: A dependable means of transportation is necessary. Travel time and parking time should be considered when scheduling classes.

College Credit Does Not Transfer To All Schools: Most community and four-year college credits transfer to public institutions in the state of Washington. Some are awarded on a college-by college basis. This is a question you should ask when considering a Running Start Program at a particular institution. Outside the state of Washington, transfer credit is awarded on a college-by-college basis.

Personal Decision: To enhance student success, it is recommended that students discuss this decision carefully with their parents or guardians and high school counselors. Student success requires highly motivated individuals who take initiative, possess good study skills and can complete assignments on time. All grades and credits earned in Running Start become part of the student’s permanent cumulative college transcript.

Parent Access to Student Records: Institutions follow federal guidelines concerning access to student records, and no information will be released without the written permission of the student. This includes information about the courses for which the student is registered, class attendance, status of assignments and grades.

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Application Process

Step 1: You must be a Junior or Senior and enrolled in a public high school. If you attend a private school or are home schooled, you will also need to enroll in a public school.

Step 2: If enrolling in a community or technical college, you must take the COMPASS Assessment and pass with scores that meets the requirement of the college you plan on attending. The COMPASS Assessment is given at the college of your choice, on the computer and takes two to three hours to complete.

Step 3: Plan early to submit your Running Start Authorization form and COMPASS Assessment scores by the college’s applicable deadline.

Step 4: Schedule an appointment with your high school counselor to review your COMPASS results and to discuss how Running Start could enhance your educational plans.

Step 5: Complete the Running Start authorization form. Forms are available at the college you plan on attending or check in your Career Center.

Step 6: If you meet admissions requirements and deadlines you will be notified what is expected of you next.