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 as it is waived through a processed Enrollment Verification Form (EVF). Students are responsible for mandatory fees, books and transportation.

Only students in the Class of 2027 and 2028 can participate in Running Start for 2026-2027 Academic Year.  

• Complete online registration in StudentVUE by requesting 14 courses, even if you plan on participating Full-time Running Start for 2026-2027 school year.

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

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

• Read through the WHS Running Start Packet.

Running start packet

• Complete WHS registration as normal (requesting 14 courses and inputting them in StudentVUE).
• Go to college website to submit application and complete placement, orientation, and any other required steps at the college. This step is broken into 3 different steps in the WHS Running Start packet.
• Staring in April, schedule a meeting with your counselor and bring your signed WHS Running Start Contract to your meeting.
• After you meet with your school counselor, they provide your RS contract and the counselor review sheet to Ms. Tang. 
• Ms. Tang will contact you to schedule a meeting to complete the WHS process for RS. In the meantime, make sure you are checking your emails to set up college accounts.
• Meet with Ms. Tang to complete your Enrollment Verification Form (EVF).
• Students should be able to move forward with college course registration without the EVF. The EVF is your tuition "voucher."

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: early December

WHS Running Start FAQs

The document above is also included in the RS Packet (pages 7-8)

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. Tang 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.

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.