Running Start

What is Running Start?

Running Start is a program for high school juniors and seniors that have college level academic ability and a higher than average maturity level. This program provides those students with the opportunity to attend community college and receive high school and college credit at the same time. The student must first take a placement examination at a community college to qualify for college-level courses. For more information on coursework and required placement exam, contact the local community college or your counselor.

Students are required to participate throughout the entire academic school year (September through June) and maintain the equivalent of a full-time FTE in order to participate in school-sponsored graduation activities (commencement ceremony, awards assembly, senior breakfast, etc.).
Running Start students are responsible to keep current with the Northshore Networks calendar and all due dates. Up-to-date information is always on the Northshore Networks website.

Visit the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's (OSPI's) Running Start website for more specific information about the program.

Am I a Good Candidate for Running Start?

There are many factors that contribute to a successful Running Start experience. If you are thinking about Running Start, here are some things to ask yourself:

Are you an independent student who is self-directed, driven and feel ready for college?
Are Running Start college credits vs. AP college credits a better choice for you?
Will you be comfortable leaving the high school community by doing full-time Running Start?
Will you be able to easily navigate two school systems if you do part-time Running Start?
Will the community college credits transfer to all 4-year colleges?
Do you have transportation?

Important Information for Parents

Very important information for parents of a student considering Running Start:

Please be advised that the Running Start process is to be initiated and carried out by the student. This is because Running Start expectations are that the student is mature and responsible enough to navigate the system on their own. Parents' primary involvement will usually be in the form of signature approval for various parts of the process.

In addition, please note that part-time Running Start enrollment presents scheduling challenges due to the district’s move to a high school block schedule.

Signing up for Running Start

If you have looked through all of the information and made a family decision to pursue Running Start, follow these steps:

Go to the community college website you plan to attend and learn the process to register for Running Start. They typically include

Attending an information session
Providing Smarter Balanced scores OR placement into English 101
Completion of the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF)

After you've started to fill out your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form, it is important that you make an appointment with your counselor before continuing.