Running Start is a dual enrollment program allowing high school juniors and seniors to take courses at any of Washington State's 34 community and technical colleges. Students may attend Running Start as full-time or part-time students and college tuition is paid by the local school district as determined by the number of classes taken at both the high school and/or college. It is important to note students are responsible for mandatory fees, books and supplies and any associated parking or transportation fees.
Before proceeding, we highly encourage you to review this dual enrollment slide show to make sure you have information about all of the programs offered and what this means for your student's academic future. Additionally, this college expectations page from Shoreline Community College may be helpful in deciding if your student is ready for college. Many of the programs below have orientation information on their websites. We encourage you to review all of these to get a better sense of the various Running Start programs and supports available to students.
Helpful information:
- Running Start Credit Limit Chart: How many classes can you take at Meadowdale and a college in one quarter & one semester?
- Running Start Course Equivalencies: Which courses at the college will meet your high school graduation requirements?
- Running Start Math Placement: Based on your current math class and grades, what college math class would you be placed into? Keep in mind you can also take the Accuplacer at the college to try and test into a higher math class.
- Community College Running Start Websites:
How to enroll in Running Start
Should you decide that the Running Start program is a good fit for your student, the following steps need to be taken in the order listed. Continuing students can scroll down for directions.
*Each quarter, the student will need to complete the Enrollment Verification Form. The student should plan accordingly and make an appointment with their counselor after the student has chosen which classes to take.
**Part-time Running Start students are responsible for making sure their college classes do not conflict with classes at the high school. Students will not be excused to leave early or return late to a class because of a Running Start schedule. We encourage you to schedule classes between 7:30-9:00am or that begin after 12:00pm as this should align with the MHS block schedule. Make sure to plan for travel time between campuses.
New Students
- Student determines eligibility for the program by reviewing the criteria for the Running Start program at the college of the student's choice.
- Student applies to the college for Running Start. Links to each college's Running Start page for the application are listed in the menu.
- Student completes orientation requirements specific to the college chosen.
- Student reviews the quarterly class schedule for the college once published to select their classes for the upcoming quarter.
- Students need to consider the approved equivalencies when choosing courses.
Once the student has chosen which classes to take for the upcoming quarter, the student will make an appointment or email their counselor after the student and parent/guardian have completed their part of the Enrollment Verification Form (EVF).
The counselor will need to know the course code (example: ENGL&101) for each class the student plans to take for the upcoming quarter. The counselor does not need to know the times the student would like to take the course or the section number of the course, it is student responsibility to align college class times to their high school schedule.
The Enrollment Verification form can be found here.
- The counselor will return the EVF to the student with counselor completed sections.
- The student will follow the procedures at the college to submit this form and register for classes.
- The student will then follow established procedures for enrolling in the college class. Directions will be provided by the Running Start office.
- The student will notify the counselor which classes should be dropped from your Meadowdale schedule for the year and what time you will be at the college (morning or afternoon).** (see notes below)
- Part-time students: Confirm with your counselor which classes at Meadowdale, if any, you plan to keep in addition to your Running Start classes when you email your verification form.
Continuing Students
Review the quarterly class schedule once available to select classes for the upcoming quarter.
- Make an appointment with your counselor or email your counselor the RSVEF with your course selections listed in the email.
- The counselor will return the Quarterly Enrollment Form (RSVEF) to the student with counselor completed sections.
- The student will follow the procedures at the college to return this form and register for classes.
- The student will then follow established procedures for enrolling in the college class. Directions will be provided by the Running Start office.
- The Student will notify the counselor which classes should be dropped from your Meadowdale schedule and what time you will be at the college (morning or afternoon).
