Running Start
Running Start Information
The MCHS faculty and staff are here to help navigate the Running Start program, offering specialized support and advisement to keep you strong. Below is some information students and families may find helpful.
The difference between Middle College High School and other Running Start options at other high schools is that MCHS provides 1:1 support either on-campus at (North Seattle and Seattle Central) or via MS Teams (at South Seattle) to proactively support students while they are doing full time Running Start. It is our expectation that EVERY student at MCHS will be able to participate in Running Start classes and get support!
General Information
Running Start is a program for high school juniors and seniors to take college classes at Washington two-year colleges to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Tuition is free for a maximum of 15 credits per quarter in college-level courses numbered 100 or higher. However, the number of college credits each student may take free of tuition costs depends on how many classes the student is concurrently taking at the high school. Students are responsible for tuition for pre-college courses (numbering below 100) and any credits that exceed their allowable limit. Students are responsible for the cost of books and transportation; however, fee waivers for these expenses (not including transportation) are available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Eligibility
- A high school junior or senior
- Place into college level English OR math on the placement test (taken at the college)
- Some colleges will accept your ACT, SAT, or high school transcript for placement in lieu of the placement test. Check the college websites for more information.
Steps to Getting Started
- Decide which two-year college you want to attend by visiting several campuses and checking out their course offerings on their websites.
- Check the Steps to Enroll on the Running Start website of the college you wish to attend. Once you complete the application process, the college will send you your CTCLink number. Make sure to keep this number, as you will need it for future steps of the enrollment process.
- Take the English and Math Directed Self Placement using your CTCLink Number to connect the results to your profile. As long as the results show that you qualify for English 101 and 100 level Math, you are eligible for Running Start.
- Meet with your Running Start Advisor to choose which courses you should enroll in and then meet with the MCHS Counselor to prepare your Enrollment Verification Form (EVF).
- Complete the online Running Start Enrollment Packet on the college website. You will need your CTCLink and a digital version of your EVF to complete the form. After it is submitted, make sure to follow the remaining steps that the college sends you in your e-mail to complete the registration process.
- If you are planning to begin Running Start classes for the Fall Term, try to complete all of the above steps by May 1st if possible. This is the priority date for most colleges. Most colleges will still accept your applications after this date, but courses will begin filling up, limiting your choices if you apply late. Check each college website for their specific dates and deadlines. You can also begin Running Start during the school year by entering the college Winter Term or Spring Term, but the logistics are more difficult.
Once Enrolled
The college will send your grades to MCHS at the end of each quarter to be posted on your MCHS transcript. If you need an official college transcript you will need to request and pay for an official copy from the college registrar where you took Running Start classes.
College Websites
As of July 25, 2026