Earn College Credit in High School
Juniors and seniors in high school can earn college credit and high school credit at the same time. You can attend tuition-free up to 15 credits. Classes are regular Spokane Community College (SCC) classes taught on our campus, and you can go full time or attend part time and still go to classes at your high school.
Who Is Eligible?
Students are eligible to enroll in Running Start if…
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They are in 11th or 12th grade at the beginning of the school year.
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They are registered in a Washington public school district. Private and home school students are eligible to participate but must register in a Washington State public school. Running Start students are not required to attend the public school.
Is it Right for You?
We want you to be successful in Running Start. The program takes self-motivation, discipline and excellent study skills. It is a great opportunity for high school students who want an academic challenge or a different high school experience. But, you need to be prepared for the independence, fast pace and time demands of college classes.
Some things to keep in mind:
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Community college classes are taught at a faster pace than high school, often covering as much material in one quarter (11-13 weeks) as some high school classes do in one year.
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Classes require a lot of prep and study time—up to two hours for each hour of class.
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Classes and programs occasionally discuss sensitive subjects, including sex, violence and religion. Class discussions are open and candid.
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The community colleges operate on a quarter system. That means college and high school holidays and vacation periods don’t always align. You still need to attend college classes even if your home high school has the day off.
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As a college student, you are responsible for following the college code of conduct, attending class, seeking academic help and addressing problems directly with instructors. As mandated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Running Start student records are confidential and can only be accessed by the student. Parents cannot contact instructors or other school personnel on their student’s behalf.
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Running Start students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average or better.
How to Apply
Step 1: Apply
Apply to Community Colleges of Spokane
When filling out the application select:
Running Start Application Deadlines
Application deadlines are based on traditional student deadlines.
Step 2: Talk to your high school counselor
Your high school counselor will advise you of the classes you need to meet your high school graduation requirements. For students not seeking a high school diploma, have your counselor indicate this option on the graduation requirements form.
Step 3: Check your email for next steps
Once your application materials are submitted, you will receive an email with additional information about the on-boarding process from the college.
Additional steps include orientation, advising, and campus tour. The SCC Dual Enrollment office communicates using the email students provided on the submitted application.
Step 4: Pay your Running Start fees
Running Start students pay for mandatory fees, books and supplies. Most mandatory fees are waived for low-income students who can provide a reduced lunch eligibility document/letter any time within the last five years.
Additional Resources
If you need to drop a class or withdraw from college, it is your responsibility to begin the drop/withdrawal process by contacting the SCC Dual Enrollment office.
Your SCC grades are the same grades for college and high school. Grades are sent to your high school after the end of the quarter. Students can find their college grades on their ctcLink student center.
For a detailed list of questions and answers about Running Start, see the Running Start FAQs