The Running Start Program provides an opportunity for eligible juniors and seniors who are affiliated with a public high school to enroll in college courses. Created by the Washington State Legislature, the program provides academically qualified students an opportunity to take college courses as part of their high school program. Students may enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes or solely in classes at their local community college. Most students in the Tahoma District participating in Running Start attend classes at Green River Community College . Some have attended Bellevue Community College or Highline Community College .
Students earn both high school and college credit for college level classes taken at the college.
In addition to Running Start, there are other programs for earning college credit in the high school. These include College in the High School through the University of Washington, Advanced Placement, and Tech Prep. Math 102 is equivalent to Pre-calculus and qualifies students to take either math or science classes. Students who qualify in both areas are the most successful in the Running Start Program. One five credit class at the college earns one high school credit.