Running Start atGRCC

The Running Start Program is authorized by the Washington State Legislature and the Auburn School District. The program allows qualified students to attend classes at community/technical colleges to earn college and high school credit simultaneously. Students must pass specific criteria to be eligible to participate in this program.

Tuition is fully funded under the Running Start Program. Students are responsible for purchasing any required books, lab and miscellaneous fees, and for providing their own transportation.

Who is eligible?

A student must be a Junior or Senior as defined by the High School’s policy. Typically a Junior will have earned at least 10.5 credits by the end of their sophomore year and a senior will have earned 15.5 credits by the end of the junior year.

A student must also take the COMPASS or ASSET exam at the community college. The student must earn college level placement scores on the exam in order to qualify.

What do I do if I am interested?

  1. Talk with your parents about the program. (See the attached Contact for things to discuss)
  2. Take the COMPASS/ASSET exam.

See what the questions are like at

Take the placement test in April at the college you plan to attend for Running Start.

Do Your Best!

  1. Have parents sign the contract sheet and bring with you when you meet with your counselor. Make an appointment to meet with your counselor.

Bring your COMPASS score report to the appointment.

You and your counselor will discuss if you qualify.

  1. Receive the Running Start Authorization form.

Fill in all the demographic information you can and your counselor will complete the rest. (This form must be completed for each quarter of participation.)

  1. Apply to the community/technical college you plan to attend.
  2. Register for college classes by turning your form in to the college and register for college classes.
  3. Bring a copy of your college class schedule to your ARHS counselor.

Your counselor will then be able to adjust your high school schedule to coincide with your college schedule.

What if my parents or I have other questions? Please call your counselor in the Auburn Riverside High School Counseling Office (253) 804-5161 or go online to the GRCC website of:

Running Start

Taking classes at GRCC

Once you begin classes at GRCC you will be treated like a regular college student. That means that you will be held to the same standards as any other student at the college, but you will also receive the same privileges and benefits as any other student at the college.

Advising: You will be required to meet quarterly with a GRCC advisor during your first year.

Adding/Dropping Classes: You can add and drop classes through the third day of the quarter. However, if you drop a class between the fourth and tenth day of the quarter, you will need the signatures of your high school counselor, a Running Start advisor, and the course instructor. If you drop a class after the 10th day, your high school may give you an automatic "F" in that class.

Attendance: Your instructor may not take attendance everyday, but you are still required to be in class. Instead of taking attendance your instructor may only test you on the information discussed in class, or even award points for class discussions.

Class Discussion: Most instructors require their students to participate in class discussions, so come to class prepared! The students in your class may range in age from 16-80 years old, but remember, your opinion is just as important as anyone else’s!

Pace: College classes can move faster than those in high school. A yearlong course in high school is usually taught in one quarter at GRCC! So, if you start to feel overwhelmed or begin to fall behind, seek out your instructor or a Running Start advisor to get the help you need before it’s too late.

Homework: For every hour you are in class, it will generally be two hours of studying outside of class; and remember college classes don’t allow time for you to complete your homework in class.

Grade Reports: GRCC will mail your official transcripts to your high school so they can be averaged with your high school GPA. They will not be mailed directly to your house. You can also find your grades online at the GRCC Web site.

Deadlines:Green RiverCommunity College does not enforce an application deadline. Applications for participation in Running Start will be accepted through the beginning of each quarter. However! Your application date will determine your registration appointment!

Fees: Even though your high school covers your tuition for college level courses, you are still required to pay class fees. If you forget, a hold will be placed on your account and you will not be able to register for the following quarter until those fees are paid.

Academic Standards Policy

In order to enroll in Running Start, you must agree to adhere to the GRCC Academic Standards policy: For the Policy go to:

Running Start

How to Enroll in Running Start

1)Take the COMPASS Assessment at Zgolinski Welcome Center. In order to qualify, you will need to place at college level Readingand either college level Writing or college level Math.

For hours and fees go to:

For Alternate Math Placement see

2)Meet with your high school counselor and obtain an verification form. Once you qualify for RS you must take a copy of your COMPASS scores to your high school counselor and obtain an verification form.

3)Bring your authorization form to the Zgolinski Welcome Center and sign up for an Orientation

Session.

4)Complete an application to GRCC.

Orientations

New participants in the program are required to attend a Running Start orientation prior to registering for their first quarter. Students are informed of important Running Start policies and procedures, as well as key contacts in the Educational Planning office. The orientation is also a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with our campus, programs, activities, resources, and it’s even a good time to meet other Running Start students.
You will have a chance to learn where our office is, register your car, ask questions, and learn more about the academic programs Green River offers.

Please call, or come by Educational Planning, to sign up for an Orientation Session.

For Parents

We believe parents play an intricate role in a student’s success, and we do everything we can to include parents in their child’s education at GRCC.How Running Start differs from the high school is that once your child begins their classes at GRCC their privacy is protected under the FERPA privacy act that protects all our students. This means that the college faculty and staff will not be able to discuss registration, class attendance, status of assignments, grades, or any aspect of a student’s attendance at GRCC with you without an official release of information.If you are going to want access to that information it is imperative that you talk with your child and have an official release of information signed right away so we can continue to work with you on your child’s progress.

Running Start

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Your son/daughter, ______, has indicated a desire to participate in the Running Start Program. Along with the benefits of Running Starts (R/S) there are also responsibilities you need to be aware of:

College Responsibilities/Expectations:

  • Students will have adult expectations and classroom discussions will reflect a wide diversity of backgrounds and experiences.
  • All academic information is confidential between the college and the student. Parent and HS staff cannot access that information.
  • Tuition is paid by the school district for courses at the 100 level or above and if the credit load does not exceed the scale prescribed by the state on the (R/S) Enrollment Verification Form.
  • Books, supplies, fees, and transportation are the responsibility of the student and their family.
  • College classes progress at a much faster pace and demand about 2 hours of homework for each hour of class.
  • Instructors:
  • May give pop quizzes and will expect daily preparation.
  • May not take attendance.
  • Will not provide make-ups
  • Will not provide progress reports, only final grades.

ARHS Responsibilities/Expectations:

  • Although registered at ARHS, (R/S) students take courses at the college and they should not be on the ARHS campus during the school day unless they have an ARHS class – and then only during that class time. This includes areas such as the library, the commons during lunch, and the parking lot.
  • (R/S) may conflict with high school extracurricular activities, vacations, or even classes the student is taking at ARHS. Mid Semester and even Semester schedule changes at ARHS to accommodate (R/S) course are difficult and should be avoided at all costs.
  • (R/S) students are expected to:
  • Check the ARHS website, mobile app and daily bulletin for sport/activity requirements, PSAT testing, scholarship application deadlines, portfolio deadlines, adjusted schedules etc.
  • Complete all regularly required graduation expectations including state testing, Senior Portfolio/HS and Beyond plans, etc. (R/S) students are assigned a Portfolio Advisor for support and completion sign off, check with your counselor in the fall.
  • All HS communication will now use the school district email address not a student’s personal address. Students need to be checking this on a regular basis.
  • If a student completes all academic requirements at the end of their junior year, earning 22.5 credits in the appropriate areas, (not including state testing or Portfolio requirements) they will no longer be eligible for the (R/S) program. They are still eligible to take classes at ARHS.

Student SignatureDateParent SignatureDate

Counselor SignatureDate Received