Running Start

Running Start is a dual-credit program that allows 11th and 12th grade students to take college courses at any of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. Tuition is free for up to 21 credits of college-level classes per quarter, which is a significant cost savings.

Running Start students have the unique opportunity to earn both college and high school credit while finishing their high school diploma. It is possible to earn an AA degree through Running Start (requires careful planning with a RS advisor).

When the decision is made to become a Running Start student, the student assumes the personal responsibility of making sure they are informed about events, dates and deadlines at NHS and their college. Students and families should follow Newport newsletters and posts to ensure that they keep up with critical Newport information.

Complete these steps to get more info on RS:

1. If you did not attend the BSD info session, please view it here or review the presentation slides here.
2. Attend an info session at BC (or the college you are attending) with your parent/guardian. Learn more here. (Required)
3. Visit the college campus. Walk around the campus and various buildings. Think about how you will get there if you choose to attend.
4. Start the steps to enroll. There are several steps in the process and it takes a bit of time (you can still change your mind and stay at Newport). Be sure to follow the directions in an email they send to you and complete ALL of the steps. You will decide which classes you want to take when you meet with your counselor in the spring.
5. Review the Running Start Communication contract with a parent/guardian. Sign and turn that form in to your counselor when you meet to set up your RS classes.
6. Set up meeting with your counselor to choose your RS classes for the quarter. You will fill out a RSEVF at that time and be able to upload it to BC afterwards.
7. Register for a full 7 classes at Newport until you finish the enrollment process at the college and actually register for fall classes. We will drop your NHS classes at that point.

Many questions can be answered by reviewing the BC RS Information Guide. We will be able to answer any lingering questions when we meet (and we can change the course requests if needed).

Key points to remember for RS:

• Students are responsible for setting up a meeting with their NHS counselor at least 3 days prior to each enrollment period to have their Running Start Enrollment Verification Form signed.
• BC asks for students to have the RSEVF uploaded to the BC website 10 days prior to a student’s RS registration time slot.
• Full-time Running Start students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12-15 college credits.
• It is the student’s responsibility to coordinate their college schedule so that they do not miss Newport classes, if taking classes at both NHS and college. Arriving late or leaving early from a Newport class is not an option.
• Students are required to be present at NHS on state testing days for tests that they still need to pass. Consult your NHS counselor if you are unsure about what you need.
• The Bellevue School District covers the tuition for college classes up to the state limit of 21 credits.  Students are responsible for other costs including:
  • Tuition for each credit beyond that authorized on the Enrollment Verification Form
  • Tuition for any class below college level (classes numbered under 100 – for example: Math 075-099)
  • Textbooks and class fees
  • Parking and transportation
• Summer quarter enrollment typically occurs in May. Funding for summer quarter for Non-graduating 11th and 12th grade students is based whether or not you reached the combined 1.2 AAFTE limit and the 1.0 AAFTE limit at the IHE in the school year. Your counselor will determine if you have funding left for summer quarter. If you want the grades/credits to be on the high school transcript, please complete an Outside Learning form for each class, and return to your counselor.

College in the High School (CiHS)

The College in the High School (CiHS) program provides college academic courses to 9th to 12th grade students. Courses are taught at the high school, by high school teachers, with college curriculum, college textbooks, and oversight by college faculty and staff. The tuition is free! See the BSD CiHS web page for all the details and a list of specific courses which are CiHS.

Students register for the college credits with the help of their high school teacher. See this CiHS Guidefor enrollment help.

We recommend students keep a record of the college credits they signed up for and colleges granting the credit (save the enrollment email from the credit granting college). This will be helpful information to refer back to when it comes time to apply to college.

Pacific NW College Credit

Students (9th – 12th grade) in the Bellevue School District are eligible to earn both high school and college credit in many of their career & technical education (CTE) classes. To earn the credit, students must pay the annual $50 Consortium fee through PNWcollegecredit.org.

Learn more about CTE and eligible courses

We recommend students keep a record of the college credits they signed up for and colleges granting the credit (save the enrollment email from the credit granting college). This will be helpful information to refer back to when it comes time to apply to college.

AP Exam Scores

To be eligible for college credit, students in Advanced Placement (AP) must take AP exams. Colleges and universities determine the amount of credit awarded and how it will apply toward degree requirements. More information is available here.

College credit: At a minimum, Washington’s public baccalaureate and community and technical colleges will grant elective credit to students who score a three or higher on AP exams. (example: AP exam scores at UW). Outside of Washington state, the AP credits granted by colleges is variable. Contact college and university admissions websites for more information.