Running Start

• Running Start gives high school juniors and seniors a running start on college-level classes (classes 100 level and above). Those classes count twice (dual-credit): once towards fulfillment of high school graduation requirements and again for college credit.

• Running Start is NOT free (there are some fees each quarter and you have to pay for books). The state will pay up to 15 credits per quarter toward your tuition if you do full-time RS. If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, you may be able to waive some of your fees.

• Running start is for individuals who are READY for college. You must be self-motivated, organized, and will to take on "adult" learning.

• Parents will not have access to your grades or communicate with your college teachers.

1. Visit the community college website and read about how they handle Running Start.

2. Attend/watch a required Running Start Information Session, find on the college website.

3. Apply to both the college and the Running Start program. Each local community college posts specific enrollment information on their Running Start webpages, check for accurate details. If you have questions, contact the college.

4. Register to take the Accuplacer. This will help with English and Math course placement.

5. Once you have applied, have received your college student id, and have your Accuplacer placement scores make an appointment with your high school counselor.

6. Meet with your high school counselor to complete the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF). Be sure to bring Accuplacer placement scores and the courses you have selected.

7. You will then make an advising appointment with your the college.

8. Be aware of the community college academic calendar. It is your responsibility to be aware of dates at both the community college and high school. Check both email addresses to be aware of upcoming events and school closures.

9. You will meet with your high school counselor near the end of each college quarter to fill in the RSEVF for the next quarter. You are responsible for making an appointment ahead of time with your high school counselor. Come with the classes you plan to take.

10. If you need to be on the Quilcene campus, please check-in with the main office to sign in.

Olympic College offers classes at their three campuses: Poulsbo, Bremerton, and Shelton. They also have classes online.

Please check here for more information.

Contact:

runningstart@olympic.edu

(360) 475-7646

Peninsula College offers classes at their three campuses: Port Townsend, Port Angeles, and Forks. They also have classes online.

Please check here for more information.

Contact:

Cindy Lauderback, Manager of High School Programs

clauderback@pencol.edu

Phone: (360) 417-6341

Toll-free: (877) 452-9277 ext. 6341

• be under the age of 21 at the beginning of the school year

• be classified as a junior or senior in Washington

• not, as of the beginning of the school year, have received a high school diploma or earned the credits for a diploma (excluding a GED)

• have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or above

  • Students who want to challenge the 2.5 GPA requirement must submit an appeal letter. See GPA Appeal Procedure.

• qualify into English 101 and/or college level mathematics for maximum access to classes

  • English 101 Eligibility

    • Accuplacer Writing and Reading scores of 260+

    • High School Cumulative GPA of 3.3+ and a B or better in Regular or Honors English Course from an accredited institution.

    • Smarter Balanced Assessment Score of Level 3 or 4

    • ACT (within 2 years) English Score of 19+

    • SAT (within 2 years) English Score of 460+

    • PSAT (within 2 years): cumulative GPA x 200 + English Score = 1100+

  • Math Placement

    • See Accuplacer Placement Scores

    • See High School or College Transcript Placement