Running Start

Running Start enables high school juniors and seniors to earn college credits and fulfill high school graduation requirements—all while saving money!

Experience Running Start at Peninsula College

Why Running Start? Get a Feel for What College is all About!

Take one class at Peninsula College in something that interests you—maybe ceramics, Makah language, environmental sciences, or the history of rock n’ roll! No matter which pathway is right for you, you’ll meet high school graduation requirements and earn college credits* at the same time, all while saving thousands of dollars in tuition.**

* Peninsula College credits transfer to other Washington state colleges and universities. Transfer credit may vary when applying to out-of-state colleges and universities. **Running Start is not completely free. Students may be responsible for certain tuition and fees costs.

Want to Go to a Four-Year University After High School?: With the right planning, you can attend as a full-time Running Start student and earn a transferable AA degree. This allows you to complete part of your bachelor's program and easily transition to a four-year institution to complete the rest.
Want to Stay Involved at Your High School?: You can attend Running Start as a part-time student and still take classes at the high school. If you are involved in sports, drama, band, or extracurriculars, then this might be a great option for you.

Running Start Details

What are the Eligibility Requirements for Running Start?

The criteria to access Running Start is as follows:

Registered as a junior or senior at a Washington state public high school.
Under the age of 21.
Demonstrate readiness for college-level English and/or math. Demonstrating readiness means you are prepared for classes that are 100-level and higher (like English 101 or Math 107). You can qualify for Running Start through placement in English only, math only, or both.

Homeschool Students
Contact your local district office to complete the appropriate paperwork before applying. Students may request a high school diploma, issued by Peninsula College, when they complete an associate degree.

Private School Students
You must be evaluated at the junior or senior level by a public high school official and enroll in that school before applying.

GED Students
Students who have passed the GED may be eligible for the Running Start program until age 21.

What are the Placement Options for Running Start?

Candidates for Running Start must demonstrate they are ready for college-level English and/or math via placement. Demonstrating readiness means you are prepared for classes that are 100-level and higher (like English 101 or Math 107). You can qualify for Running Start through placement in English only, math only, or both. Qualifying for both English and math opens up more classes you are eligible to take.

There are several options for determining English and math placement. The most common option is to submit your high school transcripts for evaluation. Minimum requirements for transcript placement can be found in the table below. Upcoming second semester transcript due dates are:

Summer, 2025: Transcripts due by June 20, 2025
Fall, 2025: Transcripts due by August 25, 2025

To begin the transcript process, please send your high school transcript to placement@pencol.edu. If you do not qualify based on your transcript evaluation, you may qualify using one of the other options listed below the table.

ENGLISH
COURSE	GRADE	PLACEMENT
Honors English	B or Higher & GPA of 2.5 or Above	ENGL& 101
English	HS English with B (3.0 ) Average or Above in at Least 3 Semesters	ENGL& 101

MATH**
COURSE	GRADE	PLACEMENT
Algebra II (2056) or Integrated Math III (2064)	C or Higher	COLL MATH**
Bridge to College Math (WA0003) or Statistics (2203)	B or Higher	COLL MATH**
Precalculus (2110)	B or Higher	MATH& 142
Math Analysis (2104)	C or Higher	MATH& 141
Calculus (2121)	C or Higher	MATH& 151

* First term grades can be used for provisional placement. Second term grades are required for official placement.

**COLL MATH : MATH& 107, 111, 146, PHIL& 120

Additionally, Peninsula College offers several options for students to get accurately placed into the math and English courses that they are ready for. (Accuplacer, English placement essay, SBA, SAT, ACT, or CLEP scores) English and math placement also provides entry into courses in most other subject areas at the college. For more information, please visit our Placement Options webpage.

Peninsula College Placement Options

What Should I Expect?

Benefits
You can earn up to two years of tuition-free college credit, getting a head start on college. It is possible to graduate with a high school diploma and a two-year college degree.

You have the opportunity to experience postsecondary education while you’re in high school and still participate in high school activities.
If you find the traditional high school does not fit your needs, you may flourish in a different educational setting.
You have the opportunity to take more diverse elective classes than those provided at your high school.

Challenges
When you and your parents discuss Running Start, talk about your maturity level. Sometimes students who are academically qualified may not be ready socially or emotionally for college. They become overwhelmed with the independence and the speed of college classes. Student success requires motivated individuals who work independently, take initiative, have good study skills, and are able to complete assignments responsibly throughout the quarter.

Peninsula College is a community college aimed at educating adults. Contemporary issues of our society will be actively discussed in our classrooms. The content of our classes will not be censored for our younger students.

The college operates on the quarter system while high school operates on semesters or trimesters. Holidays and vacation periods will be different. You are expected to attend classes at the college even when your high school is not in session.

What are the Costs?

Peninsula College and Running Start do not charge application fees.

Running Start Will Pay For:

Tuition for courses that are 100-level and higher, up to 21 credits per quarter.
The number of tuition-free credits you can enroll in at the college depends on the max credits allowed per your RSEVF.
Students with combined high school and college schedules that exceed 1.4 full-time enrollment (FTE) during any college quarter must pay tuition for any additional credits.

Students Are Responsible For:

Placement Test Fee: First attempt is free; retakes cost $15.00
Peninsula College offers developmental courses which are below the 100-level (like English 90 or Math 98). Developmental courses are not paid for by Running Start, and students must pay tuition for developmental courses. Another option is to continue to take math at the high school until the student qualifies for college-level math. Please visit Peninsula College's tuition and fees webpage for current fees and tuition rates.
Running Start students must pay for all supplies and mandatory class fees. You can view course fees in the class notes in the class schedule. Fee waivers are available to eligible students. Note not all fees are waived.
Students are responsible for the cost of books and supplies ($300–400 per quarter). Running Start students who are eligible for the free lunch program at their high school qualify for limited book assistance. You can see which courses have zero-cost textbooks in the class search.
Running Start tuition waivers are available for low-income students (students who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program at their high school) who enroll in credits that exceed a combined high school and college enrollment of 1.4 FTE.

Peninsula College Tuition & Fees

Students Walking on Peninsula College Campus

Ready to Get Started?

We highly encourage students to submit their complete Running Start application by the preferred deadline. This ensures students have the best opportunities for advising and course registration. It is not a final application deadline. Applications will continue to be accepted as program space allows.

For a fall quarter start, students are encouraged to apply as early as March. When you're ready to get started with the enrollment process for Running Start, tap the button below and follow our six-step enrollment process. And don't forget, we're here to help along the way. Contact Running Start at anytime at rstart@pencol.edu.

2025–2026 Preferred Deadlines

Running Start = Planning Early

Our preferred deadlines ensure adequate processing time for application and placement materials, as well as availability of advising appointments. Enrollment for a specific quarter cannot be guaranteed after the preferred deadline.

2025–2026 Preferred Deadlines:

Winter 2026: December 1, 2025
Spring 2026: March 1, 2026
Summer 2026: June 1, 2026
Fall 2026: June 30, 2026

Get Started with Running Start

Note: Students must turn in all completed paperwork and meet with a college academic advisor before registering for classes. Completed paperwork includes, College Application, Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF), Planning Form, Agreement, and Orientation.

Additional Resources

Running Start Club

Develop a sense of community and connection among your peers by joining the Running Start Club. Participate in club events, activities, and study groups designed to make the most out of your Running Start experience. Leadership opportunities available, with no experience necessary. Club meetings will be announced once there are enough registered members. Sign-up today to stay informed on the status of the club!

Running Start Club Sign-Up Form

Tutoring Center

Peninsula College students may receive up to 15 hours of tutoring per class, per quarter. Tutors are available for most subjects. However, for math and English tutoring, please visit the Writing Center or the Math Center.

Most tutors are current Peninsula College students or graduates who have been successful in the classes you need help with and love helping other students succeed. Tutoring may be offered in person or via Zoom.

Peninsula College Tutoring Center

Access Services

It is the Running Start student's responsibility to request accommodations. While Access Services provides support for Running Start students, 504/IEP accommodations are not automatically transferred from high school to college. We recommend that students visit the Office of Civil Rights Transition Guide for information on the differences between K-12 and postsecondary accommodations.

Peninsula College Access Services Office of Civil Rights Transition Guide

Basic Food Employment and Training Program (BFET)

These services are offered at Peninsula College through a partnership between the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and Peninsula College. The Washington state Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program provides job search, job search training, educational services, skills training, and other employment opportunities to Basic Food (SNAP) recipients who are not participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) WorkFirst work program.

Running Start & BFET

Running Start Parent Orientation & Resources

This short 'course' is designed to help you support the Running Start student in your life. Our hope is that it will provide you with lots of useful information and tips for making the Running Start experience, for both you and your student, an enjoyable and meaningful one.

Running Start Parent Orientation & Resources

Important Running Start Documents