What is Running Start?
"Running Start" is a statewide community college program for academically qualified juniors and seniors in high school to enroll in courses to fulfill high school graduation requirements.

Your school district pays tuition for up to 18 credits per quarter. Books, fees, supplies, tuition for additional credits and transportation to the college are your responsibility. Classes taken at the college as part of the Running Start Program are limited to "college level courses" (numbered 100 or above).

The program is not available during the summer, but if you are eligible, you may enroll in summer classes at your own expense with your high school’s permission.

You may enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes or exclusively in college classes. How you choose to enroll will depend upon the classes or credits you need for high school graduation. Your total enrollment should equal one full-time load. You will receive both high school and college credit for classes taken at Pierce College and are considered to be dually enrolled in both educational systems.

High school graduation requirements are established by each school district. Check with your high school counselor to verify the courses and number of credits required in order to graduate. Generally, one five (5) credit class at the college earns one (1) high school unit.

High school students who complete selected high school courses with a "B" grade or better can earn credit from community and technical colleges. The Dual Credit program is administered through the colleges, a partnership between all the public K-12 and two-year college districts in Pierce County.

Benefits of the program include:

• You earn both high school and college credit for completing high school courses.
• You receive priority registration (you register before other new students) if you attend your selected community or technical college after high school graduation.
• You can stay on your high school campus and receive college credit.
• You can save up to $1,000 in college tuition by earning college credits before you graduate from high school.

The enrollment period is December through May of each year. Students must register in the year in which they take the course, or the last course of a sequence.

Click here to view eligible courses.

Find out more about Dual Credit (also known as Tech Prep) here: Pierce County Careers Connection

You can earn credit and/or placement at most colleges and universities in the U.S., as well as colleges and universities in more than 40 other countries, through qualifying AP Exam grades. At many of these institutions, you can earn up to a full year of college credit (sophomore standing) through a sufficient number of qualifying AP Exam grades.

Individual colleges and universities, not the College Board or the AP Program, grant course credit and placement. Because it varies from school to school, you should obtain a college's AP policy in writing. You can find this information in the institution's catalogue or on its Web site, or by using collegeboard.com's AP Credit Policy Info search.

Colleges that have received your AP Grade Report will generally notify you of any placement, credit, and exemption you have earned during the summer. You can also contact the college's admissions office to find out the status of your AP credits.

For more information about AP Exams and AP classes offered, click HERE.