Running Start

Running Start is a program in which juniors and seniors who qualify may enroll in college level courses at Bellevue College, CWU Sammamish, Cascadia College, or Lake Washington Institute of Technology and earn high school and college credit concurrently. Lake Washington School District pays the college tuition for a specified number of credits taken; and students are usually responsible for fees, books, and transportation.
The application process begins in the early spring for the upcoming school year, and students must strictly adhere to the college deadlines in order to qualify. Information sessions are scheduled to help students and parents determine if this is a good choice for next year and to explain the steps necessary to participate in the program. Attendance at one of the information sessions is very important, and signatures from parents on the "Eastlake High School Running Start Agreement" are required before scheduling a time to talk with a counselor about the program.
Students are also required to attend a college orientation session, submit an application to the college and to EHS, and take an assessment test. Running Start students are subject to the same state, district, and Eastlake Graduation Requirements. Students enrolled in Running Start spring courses will not be given a diploma until an official transcript is received from the community college or school.

Running Start Enrollment Verification Form

In preparation for each new quarter registration, the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form needs to be completed and signed by student and parent in preparation for the appointment with the high school counselor. At the meeting with counselor, classes required for high school graduation are discussed, and the "Recommended Running Start Classes" section is completed. The student then takes the form to the Running Start office at the college prior to registering for classes.

EHS counselors held a Running Start Information session for students and parents on Wednesday, February 7th after school in the EHS Theater. Representatives were here from Central Washington University, Bellevue College, Lake Washington Institute of Technology to talk about their specific programs and the Running Start Process. If you were unable to attend, please review the attached power points to learn more about each of the programs and consider attending an orientation at the school of choice to get more information about next steps in the enrollment process.

In addition, students were asked to fill out the EHS Running Start Agreement form. Please review this form with your student and or parent, sign, and return to your counselor by giving to Ms. Brown in counseling or putting it in the box on their door. This will put you on your counselor’s radar as interested in attending RS next fall.

Running Start Lake Washington Institute of Technology presentation

Running Start Bellevue College presentation

CWU Sammamish Running Start presentation