The Running Start program allows highly-capable and motivated high school juniors and seniors to earn college credits while completing their high school diploma. Certain classes at Clark will count towards requirements for a high school diploma from Hudson's Bay. Counselors and students work together to build a plan that meets high school graduation requirements and also allow the student to earn college credit towards an advanced degree.
Students MUST meet with their counselor every quarter (three times per school year) to make sure they are taking the right classes for high school graduation.
Running Start is not free! Students must pay $7.25 per credit as well as pay for books and some class fees. Students could end up paying around $300.00 per quarter, three times a year.
Students need to have at least a 2.9 GPA in order to take ENGL 101 at Clark without paying an extra $100. ENGL 101 is required if students plan to take any English at the college level.
If students fail classes and get off track for graduation, Bay counselors will NOT sign any EVFs until the student and their parent/guardian meet with the counselor to make a plan.
Clark College does not count a C- or lower grade as passing.
COMPLETE ALL OF THESE STEPS BY JUNE 12th
January-February: Talk to your counselor about if you would be a good fit for Running Start.
February: Attend an online Running Start Information Night.
February-May: Get an application fee waiver number from your counselor and apply to Clark online. You will be asked to pay to submit your application if you do not have this number!
February-May: Wait until you get your acceptance email, then activate your ctcLink account.
February-May: Complete Clark’s New Student Orientation on Canvas.
February-May: Create a plan with your counselor for getting your high school credits completed through Clark.
February-May: You and your parent/guardian sign the Hudson’s Bay Running Start Agreement. Return it to your counselor.
May: Register for classes at Clark.
May-June: Complete your EVF and turn it in your counselor.
Meet with your Bay counselor to get an application fee waiver. This waiver is available for all students regardless of financial need.
You will be required to enter your ctcLink ID number in order to confirm you have completed orientation. You will not be able to register for Clark classes until you complete this step.
Students must submit the Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) each college term. The purpose of this form is to track the combined number of credits in which students are enrolled between Clark and Bay. This form can be completed and emailed to the counselor after a plan has been formed.
This list contains all of the VPS approved course equivalencies for classes that also meet graduation requirements.
Use this optional checklist to track that you are taking the classes you need for graduation. This checklist does NOT replace communicating with your Bay counselor.
Students who declare a major at Clark will be granted earlier registration times. This can sometimes help you get the classes you need before they fill up.
Clark offers free tutoring to all students.
Clark Advisors are available to help students pick out classes they need to earn specific degrees. Clark Advisors ARE NOT able to answer questions about high school graduation requirements.
Students who want to take math at Clark may need to also take the ALEKS math placement test. Sign up for a test here.