Running Start is a program that allows 11th and 12th grade students to take college courses at Washington's 34 community and technical colleges. Students earn both high school and college credits for these courses, which accelerates their progress through the education system. The credits and grades students earn will be transcribed on their permanent college transcript. All of Washington’s public four-year colleges and universities accept Running Start credit. 

Running Start students and their families do not pay tuition. They are responsible for mandatory fees, books and transportation.

Only students in the Class of 2024 and 2025 can participate in Running Start for 2023-2024 Academic Year.  

• Fill out a WHS registration form selecting 7 periods or 14 boxes, even if you plan on participating Full-time Running Start for 2023-2024 school year.

• If you are a waiver student, you must return to your current school to participate in Running Start unless you take a minimum of one course per semester at WHS. 

• See the next section on Steps to Participate in Running Start.

Step 1:  Read through the WHS Running Start Packet.

Running start packet

Step 2:  Go to the Community College Running Start website of your choice. 

a) Sign up for an information session 

b) Apply online 

• Bellevue Community College
• Cascadia Community College
• Edmonds Community College
• Everett Community College
• Lake Washington Institute of Technology

c) Complete placement: students must assess at college level in order to participate in Running Start. Follow the instructions as outlined on the college website.

Step 3:  Once you have completed the application process at the college, schedule a meeting with your alpha counselor. Meetings will begin in April. Bring your WHS Running Start Packet (with signed contract on page 5) to your meeting along with your placement results for your counselor to review.

Students A-C	Students D-H	Students I-Me	Students Mi-Sc	Students Se-Z
Mrs. Strandy	Mrs. Lamb	Mr. Churchill	Mr. Hirsch	Mrs. Brenner
astrandy@nsd.org	klamb@nsd.org	schurchill@nsd.org	nhirsch@nsd.org	sbrenner@nsd.org

 

Step 4:  Once Steps 1-3 are completed, you will meet with the Running Start Counselor to discuss your schedule and complete your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF).

WHS Running Start packet

Here are the typical deadlines to join Running Start throughout the school year:

Fall Quarter: September 1 for Cascadia College, September 11 for Bellevue College

Winter Quarter: mid-December

Ms. Tang is the counselor for all Running Start students. She keeps track of your graduation status, supports with the college/career processes, and signs your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF). You may contact her via email (mtang@nsd.org), phone (425-408-7428) or by visiting the College & Career Center.

As a Running Start student, you are required to meet with Ms. Kia to get your RSEVF signed and to discuss your graduation status & post-high school plans at least 3 times a year:

• October through November: Winter Quarter RSEVF 
• January through February: Spring RSEVF
• Mid-April through June: Fall RSEVF

You may schedule a meeting (in-person or virtual) with Ms. Tang using this link.

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Please join Ms. Tang's Remind to receive updates and reminders regarding Running Start check-in meetings, EVFs, important WHS events and dates, and more!

You can join via this link: https://www.remind.com/join/rs-whs

-OR-

by texting @rs-whs to the number 81010

Click the button below for the most updated version of the Running Start EVF. Remember that colleges will only accept the most updated version. 

Running start enrollment verification form

Please fill out your EVF before meeting with Ms. Tang. You will need to fill out the highlighted sections in the image below. You are responsible for submitting the RSEVF to the Running Start office of your college.

Click the chart below to review the college courses that meet subject area graduation requirements for the Northshore School District.