What is Running Start?
Running Start is a college credit program that is an outgrowth of the CHOICE legislation
of 1990. Academically qualified students may enroll in courses at Spokane Falls
Community College to earn credit for high school graduation and toward a college
degree. Running Start students may attend high school and college classes, or solely
in college classes.
How does Running Start work?
Students take SFCC courses their junior year and senior year of high school. They
may take two years of courses under Running Start if they start at the beginning
of the junior year. Classes taken at the college are limited to "college level courses".
The student receives both high school and college credit for completed classes.
It is the high school’s responsibility to establish grade placement criteria.
May home-schooled students participate?
Yes, but the student must enroll through the local public high school. The high
school will determine junior or senior standing. The student does not have to attend
the high school.
May the student enroll both in High School and SFCC?
Yes. A student may be counted for up to 2 Full-Time Equivalents (FTE's) between
the high school and SFCC. This requires coordination between schools.
How many students have enrolled in Running Start state-wide?
In 2005-2006, 16,540 students enrolled (equivalent to 10,284 full-time students),
an increase of about 3% from the previous year's enrollment of 16022 (9,794 FTE).
The program serves about 10% of the state's juniors and seniors.
How do Running Start students do state-wide?
The grade point average for all Running Start students in two-year institutions
is comparable to similar two-year college students of traditional college age. In 2005-06,
after transferring to the University of Washington, students continued with solid
performance, averaging a GPA of 3.12.
What are Running Start students like?
- 59% of the students were female.
- Over 18% were students of color.
- The average credit load taken by the students was 11-12 credits per quarter.
- 75% took 10 or more credits during fall 2005-06. Many students take one five-credit
course per quarter at college with the balance of classes taken in high school.
- 2% were students with disabilities.
- 29% of the students worked part time; 1% worked full time.
- Approximately 95% of the students were enrolled in academic courses; 5% took
vocational courses.
Is the Running Start program fiscally successful?
In 2005-2005, the total savings from the Running Start Program is estimated at $71.3
million to the taxpayers, parents, and students in the state. The program saved
Washington State taxpayers $43.8 million because of the dual credit that students
earned for participating in the program. Parents and students also saved approximately
$27.5 million in tuition.
Can Running Start students take online courses?
Generally yes. But it depends on local School Board policy applicable to ALL Students.
Following a national trend in higher education, Running Start students are utilizing
more online instruction. In the last five years, the amount of online enrollment by
Running Start students has grown by more than 200%. Most of the online courses are
in social science, English composition and humanities.
Contact Information
- Contact your Running Start high school counselor at your student's school.
- You may also contact Doug Morgan at SFCC:
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