North Thurston Public Schools

RSEVF - Current Running Start Students

DO NOT FORGET, once you register for classes, you must schedule an appointment and meet with your NTHS counselor to get your RSEVF signed.  You must print the form, fill it out, sign it, have your parent/guardian sign it and THEN bring it to your NTHS counselor. YOU WILL THEN RETURN THE FORM TO SPSCC.  This must be done every quarter.

To schedule an appointment, email kgrantham@nthurston.k12.wa.us, call 360-412-4810 or stop by the counseling center at NTHS.

RUNNING START INFORMATION

WHAT IS RUNNING START? 

Running Start is a dual credit program where you attend a community college and earn college credit while simultaneously earning high school credit.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN RUNNING START?

You must be a Junior or Senior to participate in Running Start.  You must also qualify for Running Start by meeting the entry requirements set forth by the community college (ex: placements tests).

WHO IS A GOOD FIT FOR RUNNING START? 

Students most successful at Running Start are… prepared for college level course work, can work independently, have excellent attendance, have excellent organization, use their time wisely, can meet deadlines, check their college and high school email regularly, and are good communicators.

IS RUNNING START FREE?

No.  Tuition (the cost of the course) is free, but you will need to pay for books and fees.

IS THERE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BOOKS AND FEES?

Yes, see the SPSCC website or speak directly with Tracy Moore, your Running Start Advisor.

HOW DO I GET DUAL CREDIT? 

Running start students must be familiar with the High School Course Equivalency List found on SPSCC’s website. This document shows a list of high school courses and the equivalent course offerings at SPSCC. 

Examples: 

1. If you take HIS 146 for 5 credits at the SPSCC, you will earn 1 credit at the high school and you will meet the US history requirement.
2. If you take ENG 101 for 5 credits at SPSCC, you will earn 1 credit at the high school and you will fulfill a year’s worth of English.
3. If you take CCS 101 for 3 credits at SPSCC, you will earn .60 high school credit at the high school in the category of CTE.

DO THE HIGH SCHOOL AND SPSCC OPERATE ON THE SAME TIMELINE?  

No.  The college operates on a quarter system.  NTHS operates on semesters.

SPSCC operates on a quarter system:

North Thurston operates on a semester system:

DO I HAVE TO BE A FULL-TIME RUNNING START STUDENT? 
You can be a full-time or part-time running start student.   If you take courses at both institutions, you cannot exceed full time enrollment (FTE).  Here are some examples:

CAN I EARN MY TWO-YEAR DEGREE AS A RUNNING START STUDENT?

Yes, it is possible.  If you are a full-time Running Start Student and you meet the requirements of the two-year degree (set forth by the college) then you can earn a two-year degree.  For the college degree you need to coordinate with the college.  For high school graduation requirements, you’ll need to coordinate with the high school.

IF I AM FULL-TIME RUNNING START, CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE IN HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES?

Yes, you can still participate in high school activities (ex: sports, school dances, clubs, etc.). 

ARE THERE OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF BEING A RUNNING START STUDENT? 

Yes. 

1. You must meet with your high school counselor every quarter to get your RSEVF (Running Start Enrollment Verification Form) signed. This is an agreement between you and the college, and you must turn this form in to have your tuition paid for as a running start student. It is important to complete this in time to meet the deadline set by the college.

2. You need to pass your college classes. If you do not, you can be placed on academic probation or even be dismissed by the college.

3. You need to check your email at both institutions—you are still a high school student even if you do not attend at NTHS. If you want to graduate from both schools, you need to keep up with correspondence in both locations.

4. You must complete your High School & Beyond Plan. You can complete the HS&B plan by attending NTHS Advisory or completing the HS&B Plan course equivalencies. Listed on the North Thurston Public Schools SPSCC Course Equivalency List. 

5. Become familiar with the North Thurston Public School SPSCC Course Equivalency List.

I WANT TO DO RUNNING START, WHERE TO I BEGIN?

1. Go to the Running Start Information Page (google: SPSCC Running Start)

2. Complete the FIRST FOUR STEPS listed on the website. https://spscc.edu/admissions/running-start

3. Once you’ve completed the first four steps you can Register for Classes at SPSCC.

4. If you need help with choosing your college courses, email your high school counselor to set up an appointment or stop by the counseling center at NTHS. Your high school counselor will go over remaining high school required classes/credits.

5. Complete the last steps on the SPSCC Running Start Page (Step 6 and 7)   .
6. DO NOT FORGET, once you register for classes, you must schedule an appointment and meet with your high school counselor to get your RSEVF signed.  This is step #7 where you will also find the link to the form. You print it, fill it out and sign it, have your parent/guardian sign it and then bring it to your NTHS counselor. YOU RETURN THE FORM TO SPSCC.  This must be done every quarter.

7. If you plan on attending Running Start in the Fall of 2023, make sure you get your RSEVF signed by your NTHS counselor no later than June 1st, 2023 as counselors will not be available over the summer to sign RSEVFs.  The college requires you, the student, to turn the form in to the college by August 29, 2023.