Running Start

The Running Start program was created by the Washington state legislature in the early 1990's as an opportunity for eligible high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit at local and technical colleges, tuition free. Books, fees, and transportation are the student's responsibility and are billed quarterly. Students who can demonstrate financial need can request assistance through the colleges.

Students should visit the Running Start webpages of the college they wish to attend and read all of the information there. Below are links to the Running Start pages of the schools most commonly attended by Tahoma students, but students can attend any Washington college that offers Running Start.

Local College Options:

Green River

Renton Technical College

Bellevue College

Power Hour Information Sessions about Running Start - February & March 2026

Current 10th and 11th grade students are highly encouraged to attend one of these in the PAC during Power Hour. 

You can just show up -- no need to sign up ahead of time.

February 23rd - PHA 

March 2nd - PHA

March 9th - PH B

March 16th - PHA

March 30th - PHB

Slides from Power Hour Presentation (to be posted March 30th after PH)

Attend THS HIGH SCHOOL & BEYOND NIGHT to hear from Green River College Staff

March 5th, 2026 - Full Event 5:30-8:00pm

Running Start Session:

7:30 - 8:00 pm

THS - PAC 1

High School and Beyond Night Event Info

Previously recorded Green River Running Start Information Session YouTube 

Beginning with school year 2026-27: 

To enroll in Running Start, students must complete these steps in this order.

1. Attend a Power Hour information session at THS. 

2. During your THS registration period - students must add Part Time or Full Time Running Start to their requests in Skyward for the next school year. Part Time Running Start students will also register for any courses you would like to have at THS. 

These next steps typically take about 2 weeks to complete.

3. Apply to the college.

4. Watch for emails from the college for your ctcLink student ID number. Complete tasks that are required in a timely fashion.

5. Complete and submit THS Running Start Agreement - a link to this form will be emailed to your parent/guardian. Forms need to be completed prior to meeting with your THS counselor to move any further in the process. 

6. Meet with your THS counselor: Students can go to the counseling office or call 425-413-6204 to schedule this intial appointment. DO NOT MAKE AN ONLINE APPOINTMENT FOR THIS INITIAL MEETING.  You will need your ctcLink ID number to make this appointment. At this meeting, your counselor will fill out your Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) with you so you know what classes you need to take to meet high school graduation requirements. Number of college credits paid for is dependent on number of classes taken at THS. Each EVF is unique based on what credits a student has earned and what they need to take at the college to meet THS graduation requirements.

7. Submit completed EVF and any additional required documents to the Running Start office at the college using the process they give you to follow. 

8. Complete college registration. Registration for fall quarter typically opens up in mid to late May.