Dual Credit
Deadline for Early College and Running Start vary. Dates and more information can be found below.
INFORMATIONAL SESSION for students interested in taking
Running Start classes in Spring, 2025!
TBA- September
What is Dual Credit?
Dual Credit is a nationwide initiative which allows high school students to take college courses while in still in high school. The courses are taught by college instructors. Students who successfully complete the college course will receive both high school and college credit. The two dual credit programs that we offer at McKinley High School are Early College and Running Start.
Running Start
Running Start is a program that allows 11th & 12th grade students to take college courses at Honolulu Community College or Kapiolani Community College. Students can earn both high school and college credits for these courses. Students and families are responsible for paying for the course at the specific institution.
Students who qualify for Free or Reduced lunch can apply for the GEAR UP Scholarship and MAY be awarded a scholarship to pay for tuition and books. (You will be notified by GEAR UP if you have been awarded a scholarship.)
Deadlines to apply for scholarship is as follows:
Spring 2025: October 2, 2024
Summer 2025: March 31, 2024
Fall 202: April 21, 2024
Deadline to apply for Running Start:
Spring 2025: November 1, 2024
- Honolulu Community College:
Spring 2025: November 1, 2024
Early College
Early College is a program that allows students in grades 10-12 take college courses on McKinley High School's campus. Like Running Start, students earn both high school and college credits for courses taken. However, courses taken are FREE of charge for all students. Students are responsible for the cost of any textbooks required. Courses offered on campus during period 1 & 2.
Registration for Early College is done ONCE a year in February. Interested students should look for an announcement in the College & Career Bulletin and Google Classroom for dates of Informational Sessions and application deadlines. Please scroll down for more information.
What are the benefits of enrolling in Dual Credit Courses?
National Data Indicates:
More likely to meet college-readiness benchmarks
More likely to enter college, and enter shortly after high school graduation
Higher persistence rate into second year of college
Higher four- and six-year college completion rates
Shorter average time to bachelor's degree completion for those completing in six years or less
Hawaii Data Indicates:
Higher college enrollment rates
More likely to enroll in college in the fall term immediately following high school graduation
More likely to enroll at a 4-year institution
Higher persistence rate into second year of college
Articles:
Going to College Before College - Click HERE.
Why College Now Starts in High School For So Many Hawaii Kids- Click HERE.
What Early College courses will be offered for the 2024-2025 School Year?
Fall 2024:
English 100 (In Person)
IS 125 (In Person
Math 103 (In person)
Spring 2025:
Hawaiian Studies 107
English 100
Economics 130
Note: * denotes course that are "weighted." A=5, B=4, etc.
Students who enroll in Early College will be required to registered for a course both semesters- Fall & Spring.
English 100 is paired with Hawaiian Studies 107
Speech 151 is paired with Sociology 100
Who is eligible to apply?
Students must meet the prerequisite which is placement into English 100. Students can do so by:
Taking the Accuplacer test. (At Honolulu CC and on designated date at McKinley HS campus.)
ACT or SAT test scores:
ACT score- 18 English & Reading
SAT score- 560 Evidence Based Reading & Writing
Early College Application Process for 2025-2026 School Year
Application Due Date: March 31, 2025
1. Attend a Dual Credit Informational Session held in February. Inform Mrs. Inaba by February 28th of your interest to enroll in Early College for the following school year.
(The information and application link below was for the 2024-2025 school year. DO NOT complete for the 2025-2026 school year at this time.)
2. Complete Honolulu CC Application
3. Complete Dual Credit Application- Fall, 2025
4. Take Ed Ready Test
7. Register for Classes : Mrs. Inaba will inform you of when this date is set.