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Renton School District

Dual Credit

Washington State offers four programs that allow students to earn both high school and college credit (Dual Credit) at the same time. Students may earn college credit through multiple programs at multiple colleges and universities while in high school, but only once per course. Benefits of these programs include:

  • Free or reduced-cost college credits
  • Priority registration as a continuing student
  • Rigorous courses in high school ease academic transition to college
  • Setup college accounts for two- and four- year colleges across the state
  • Students may be able to graduate college sooner
  • College credits may result in higher military pay

The four programs are grouped into exam based and course based opportunities. Students enrolled in course based classes may attend class on their high school campus or a local college campus, depending on the class.

Exam Based Dual Credit is offered in high school classes. Students experience the rigor of college level course material within their everyday high school classroom. Students may take an exam, with the option to claim college credit based on their score. Students choose whether or not to take the test and whether or not to claim credit based on their score after taking the course. Renton School District offers:

Course Based Dual Credit may be offered in high school classrooms or on college campus. Students may earn college credit through their coursework.

  • College in the High School (CHS) brings college and university classes to the high school classroom. High School teachers of these classes are trained to teach a college class in a high school classroom. Students choose whether or not to enroll in the college at the beginning of the course.
  • CTE Dual Credit offers students the opportunity to earn college credit based on their performance in one or more classes through agreements (articulations) with specific local two- and four-year colleges. Students who have met the grade requirement of CTE Dual Credit classes may choose whether or not to request the credit after taking the course(s).
  • Running Start is a program that allows students to earn high school credit while enrolled and taking college courses on local public two- and four-year college campuses. Students are enrolled with the college, attend classes by their own transportation, and are graded on a college transcript.
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