Running Start

What is Running Start?

Running Start is a program for high school juniors and seniors that have college level academic ability and a higher than average maturity level. This program provides those students with the opportunity to attend community college and receive high school and college credit at the same time. The student must first take a placement examination at a community college to qualify for college-level courses. For more information on coursework and required placement exam, contact the local community college or your counselor.

Students are required to participate throughout the entire academic school year (September through June) and maintain the equivalent of a full-time FTE in order to participate in school-sponsored graduation activities (commencement ceremony, awards assembly, senior breakfast, etc.).
Running Start students are responsible to keep current with the North Creek calendar and all due dates. Up-to-date information is always on the North Creek website.

Visit the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's (OSPI's) Running Start website for more specific information about the program.

Running Start Info Session - Online Learning Update

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Am I a Good Candidate for Running Start?

There are many factors that contribute to a successful Running Start experience. If you are thinking about Running Start for the coming school year, here are some things to ask yourself:

Are you an independent student who is self-directed, driven and feel ready for college?
Are Running Start college credits a better choice for you than AP college credits or college credits earned through College in the High School classes?
Will you be comfortable leaving the high school community by doing full-time Running Start?
Will you be able to easily navigate two school systems if you do part-time Running Start?
Will your schedule allow you to participate in a NCHS extracurricular activity?
Will the community college credits transfer to all 4-year colleges, including out-of-state colleges?
Do you have transportation?

Important Information for Parents

Very important information for parents of a student considering Running Start:

Please be advised that the Running Start process is to be initiated and carried out by the student. This is because Running Start expectations are that the student is mature and responsible enough to navigate the system on their own. Parents' primary involvement will usually be in the form of signature approval for various parts of the process.

In addition, please note that part-time Running Start enrollment presents scheduling challenges due to the high school block schedule.

Signing up for Running Start

If you have looked through all of the information and made a family decision to pursue Running Start, follow these steps:

Go to the community college website you plan to attend and learn their requirements to register for Running Start. You must also follow the steps that NCHS requires. These steps should include the following:
- Attend a Running Start information session at the community college you would like to attend.
- Attend a Running Start 101 session at NCHS. Current choices are:
  - March 4th during advisory in the Forum (in front of the counseling center)
  - March 18th during advisory in the Forum (in front of the counseling center)
- Place into college-level English (101) by taking their Accuplacer placement test.
  -or-
  Determine if your SBAC state test scores will fulfill this requirement.
- Review the Running Start packet.
- Begin to fill out your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF).
It is important that you follow all of the necessary steps found in the Running Start packet before contacting your counselor for an appointment.