The Running Start program provides the opportunity for high school juniors and seniors who score at required levels on the community college placement exam to take courses at Clark College as part of their high school program. Successful completion of college-level courses (numbered 100 and above) yields college credit, and can be used to satisfy high school graduation requirements as well. Students are limited to the number of high school classes & Clark credits they can take.

Qualification Requirements:

1. During your sophomore or junior year, interested students may opt to take the COMPASS placement test at Clark College. Those whose test results place them at college level in the areas of Writing and Reading, and/or Math will be eligible to enroll in Clark College classes for the following quarter. If a student does score high enough on the Compass test, the next step is they need to attend a New Student Orientation.

2. Qualified students meet with their high school counselor prior to the beginning of each quarter at Clark College to complete a Running Start Forecast form requesting specific classes. Students must return this form to the Running Start Office before the deadline each quarter in order to register during priority registration.

3. Students will be also expected to go through the registration process at Clark College.

4. All deadlines set by Clark College are firmly adhered to. It is the responsibility of the Running Start student to comply with the timelines of the college.

A student who has taken any classes in the Running Start program and who earns a degree from any community or technical college in Washington before his/her 21st birthday may request a high school diploma from the college registrar.  The community college is authorized to award the high school diploma even if the student has not met high school graduation requirements (credits, state assessments, high school and beyond plan, and culminating project).   http://www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness/pubdocs/DegreesDiplomas.pdf

For more information about Running Start, contact your school counselor. Also refer to www.clark.edu/runningstart.

QUESTIONS? Contact the Running Start office at (360) 992-2366.