Running Start
What is 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, or Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LW Tech) and earn high school and college credit concurrently. Lake Washington School District pays the college tuition for up to 21 credits per quarter and offers the opportunity for students to be either part- or full-time students at Eastlake and the school of choice. For more detailed information about the program, cost, process, please review the Running Start Agreement.
EHS counselors will start meeting with students after March 29th. Please review information on this page and start the enrollment process with your college before reaching out to your counselor.
- It is the student’s responsibility to drive the enrollment process. College is an adult environment where students are expected to engage in the community in a positive, mature and independent manner. Both the high school and the colleges expect that students are able to
- Parents: We have been asked to remind you that FERPA laws are followed at the college level. College faculty are NOT allowed to communicate with anyone but the student about the students academic progress. Please do not contact them for any reason.
- EHS counselors are here to make sure you complete your high school requirements and sign the RSEVF. Students will communicate with the college advisor to register for classes or any other additional questions.
This website reviews possible Running Start programs in the community, the presentation that was given middle of February, resources related to EHS and FAQ for all things related to Running Start.
Step 1: Research
Research your options, review the Eastlake presentation and attend an Eastlake information session. Select your Running Start program and start enrollment process directly through the school.
View EHS Presentation HERE
Step 2: Enroll
Complete the enrollment and placement process for your chosen college. See Local Running Start Programs and Registration Dates for information about each colleges requirements and process
Step 3: Complete EHS Process
- Review Eastlake High School Running Start Agreement and expectations
- Review course equivalency chart for remaining graduation credits
- Complete the RSEVF (directions to come!)
Running Start FAQ's
- I am not doing well in my current EHS classes. Is Running Start for me?
- If I don't like Running Start or am not doing well, can I come back to EHS mid year?
- Can I start Running Start at any quarter?
- Will my EHS Counselor help me register for my college classes?
- Is Running Start for me if I don't know what I may want to major in, or even go to college?
- What is the difference between being a Running Start student vs a normal high school student?
- I am a current 9th or 10th grader and I want to prepare to do Running Start. What should I do?
- If I am a current 10th grader planning on doing Running Start in 11th grade, can I start taking classes summer before 11th grade?
- Are parents allowed to contact professors or access my Running Start grades?
- Running Start and Participating in Eastlake Athletics
- How do I meet my high school graduation requirements?
- Can my EHS counselor help with academic planning if I want to earn my AA degree while doing Running Start?
- How do Running Start credits transfer to college?
- Do my grades at Running Start affect my GPA at Eastlake High School?
- How many credits can/should I take?
- Can I take Algebra 2 through Running Start?
- Can I take online classes at Running Start? Will they still count the same on my transcript as in-person classes?
I am not doing well in my current EHS classes. Is Running Start for me?
If I don't like Running Start or am not doing well, can I come back to EHS mid year?
Can I start Running Start at any quarter?
Will my EHS Counselor help me register for my college classes?
Is Running Start for me if I don't know what I may want to major in, or even go to college?
What is the difference between being a Running Start student vs a normal high school student?
I am a current 9th or 10th grader and I want to prepare to do Running Start. What should I do?
If I am a current 10th grader planning on doing Running Start in 11th grade, can I start taking classes summer before 11th grade?
Are parents allowed to contact professors or access my Running Start grades?
Running Start and Participating in Eastlake Athletics
How do I meet my high school graduation requirements?
Can my EHS counselor help with academic planning if I want to earn my AA degree while doing Running Start?
How do Running Start credits transfer to college?
Do my grades at Running Start affect my GPA at Eastlake High School?
How many credits can/should I take?
Can I take Algebra 2 through Running Start?
Can I take online classes at Running Start? Will they still count the same on my transcript as in-person classes?
Running Start Information Sessions for the
2023-24 School Year
Location - Eastlake Theatre
- Wednesday, February 21st 2024 1:45-2:45pm after school.
- Friday, February 23rd 2024 - WolfTime A
View presentation HERE
Local Running Start Programs
Below are local programs EHS students frequent, but LWSD students are eligible to participate in any Running Start program. Please contact your counselor if there is a different program you wish to enroll in.
Phone: 425.564.2026
Email: hsprograms@bellevuecollege.edu
BC Info Session Information
Cascadia College
Phone: 425.352.8146
Email: runningstart@cascadia.edu
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Phone: 425.739.8336
Email: Running.Start@lwtech.edu
CWU Sammamish
Phone: 509.963.1351
Email: RunningStart3@cwu.edu