Academics
Running Start
Prospective Students
Apply and register in 5 easy steps:
1. Apply for Admission Online
Prior to taking the COMPASS assessment, apply for admission to Green River Community College. It is ideal to apply at least a few days prior to taking the COMPASS assessment in order to allow time for application processing.
2. Take the COMPASS Assessment
The Assessment and Testing Center is located in the Zgolinski Welcome Center. You must meet eligibility criteria to enroll as a Running Start student. Bring picture ID with you!
3. Obtain Running Start Enrollment Verification Form
The high school counselor will complete their section of the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form. This form a) releases you from your high school so you can attend Green River, and b) informs Green River about the amount of credits you are released to take in the Running Start program. This form must be turned in each quarter in order to participate in the Running start program.
Home School Students: All home school students must contact their local high school/district to seek instructions on enrollment procedures, which may differ frmo district to district. All home school students must also turn in the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form every quarter.
4. Submit Running Start Enrollment Verification Form
Submit your completed Running Start Enrollment Verification Form to the Zgolinski Welcome Center. Upon submission of your Running Start release paperwork, you will sign up for a mandatory Running Start Orientation.
5. Attend Running Start Orientation
You must sign up for a Running Start Orientation (which are provided on a first-come basis). During the orientation session, you will register for classes and learn specific information about attending college as a Running Start student.
Please visit the RS Registration Timeline page for important dates and deadlines.
Information Sessions
If you are considering Running Start and are interested in learning more, attend an information session! During this session you will learn about eligibility requirements, the process for enrolling, and general Running Start information.
Upcoming Running Start Information Sessions
Information sessions will resume in the fall.
Presentation lasts approximately 30 minutes with time for questions afterward and will cover general Running Start information and steps for enrolling in the program.
Benefits & Limitations
Program Benefits
Running Start offers a number of benefits for students prepared to begin their college careers. Students may:
- Take courses not offered at their high school;
- Complete advanced coursework;
- Transition to the college environment while still living at home, surrounded by friends and family;
- Experience personal growth in decision-making and responsibility while creating their own future educational plans;
- Join any student club or organization or participate in student government and leadership (with the exception of intercollegiate athletics);
- Save up to two years of college tuition;
- Make a fresh start in a new environment;
- Experience the diversity of the college setting with respect to students, instructors and class options.
Program Limitations
As with any program, there are some limitations to Running Start's ability to meet the needs of every individual who enrolls. Some of these considerations include:
- Running Start students are held to the same expectations with respect to behavior, responsibility and initiative of any college student. Though a student may be ready for the academics of college, not all students possess the maturity and responsibility necessary for participating in a college environment.
- High schools provide a social network unique to that environment which is not replicated in college. The college environment-particularly a community college-is representative of people from various walks of life, belief systems, age, and goals.
- The program is not entirely free-books, fees and transportation are the responsibility of the student.
- College schedules may conflict with high school classes or extracurricular activities (sports, drama, music, etc.).
- The college and high school calendars are different. Students are expected to attend classes at the college even though their high schools may not be in session (for example, college and high school spring breaks are during different weeks). Careful planning must occur in order to avoid conflicts with family and school activities. It is generally not acceptable to miss college classes due to a family vacation or a school related trip.
- The student's high school is the final authority on high school graduation requirements. The student must work closely with a high school counselor to insure graduation requirements will be met. Some schools may not allow students to participate in graduation ceremonies if their college classes are not completed by the date of high school graduation. Check with the high school for their policies.
- Preferred classes may fill quickly, and students are not guaranteed space in classes until they are officially registered into the course.
Eligibility
Prospective students must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled through a public high school/district. Homeschooled and private school students are encouraged to contact their local school district for instructions on their enrollment procedures.
- Be a junior or senior, according to grade level placement policies of the district the student is enrolled through.
- Meet minimum placement scores on the COMPASS (see below).
- Be 16 upon admission to the program, or turn 16 during the first quarter of enrollment in Running Start.
COMPASS Assessment
Prospective Running Start students must complete an assessment to demonstrate they are prepared for college-level coursework. Green River uses a placement tool called the COMPASS, which assesses a person's current skill levels in math, reading and writing. COMPASS placement also helps guide students in their decisions about which classes to take. Green River's Running Start program requires the following placement scores:
- Reading: 86
- Writing: 80 or Math: placement score into Math& 141 and above
Green River will accept COMPASS scores from other colleges, if they were taken in the last 2 years. Please note that Running Start COMPASS placement requirements differ from college to college. Students are encouraged to try sample questions before assessing. Picture ID required to assess.
Math Placement
Running Start students are strongly encouraged to continue math courses-even if they have met their high school's math diploma requirement. Stopping out of a math sequence can make it difficult later on to get back into the groove of taking math. Students may complete math at the high school or decide to take math at Green River-either way, it's a good idea to do so.
Please visit the Math Division's Web site for information on advising and placement. Aside from the COMPASS, there are other ways students are placed into math at Green River. If you feel your COMPASS scores are not an accurate reflection of your skills, these options may be useful to you.