What's the Differences Between Advanced Placement & Running Start Courses (Google Doc)

The partnership between Myron B. Thompson Academy (MBTA) and Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU) offering a Dual Credit (D/C) program is an invaluable opportunity for qualifying rising 11th and 12th grade students.  We are pleased to announce the addition of the Associate of Arts (AA) degree pathway also for incoming 11th graders beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.  This initiative will give a select group of students in the initial cohort a head start in earning college credit while still completing their high school requirements. By enrolling in one or more college-level course(s) at HPU during the Fall semester, students can earn both high school and college credit, with the cost covered by MBTA (excluding a $50 non-refundable one-time deposit). Contact the College and Career Counselor for more information.

Running Start allows students to earn both high school and college credits for courses completed through the University of Hawaii system.  

Students and their families are responsible for all costs associated with this program.  Families who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch may apply for the GEAR UP Scholarship on a first-come first-served basis, with preference given to rising graduates. 

To match skill level to enrolled courses students may be required to complete one or more placement tests if the student does not have a recent SAT, ACT or 11th grade SBAC test result.  Unlike the SAT and ACT, placement tests are not used as an admissions requirement.  They serve as a diagnostic examination after admission, but prior to course registration.   Details about the Accuplacer test and the EdReady test.

Contact the Secondary Counselor for additional information.