College & Beyond

Dual credit classes let high school students earn both high school and college credits at the same time. This can be done by taking a college-level class or earning a qualifying exam score. Studies show that students who take dual credit classes are more likely to graduate on time, go to college, stay in college, or start a career right after high school. These classes also count towards Washington’s credit requirements for graduation and give students a taste of college-level work. Even if students don't earn college credit, taking these classes can boost their confidence, introduce them to new careers, and offer more class choices.

Renton School District has several dual credit programs:

• College preparatory programs with exams are Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB).
• Class-based dual credit programs are Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit, College in the High School, and Running Start.

See details of each program by clicking the icons below.

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

We encourage interested students to work with their high school counselor and College & Career Specialist in their school's Opportunity Center to find the best options for their academic and career goals.

The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers students the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams across all academic subject areas and several in-demand career pathways in their high school classrooms. Exam scores may be used to grant equivalency credit and/or placement in higher level advanced courses. Nearly all colleges and universities in the United States offer AP Equivalency alignment with an exam score of 3 or better.

Available to Grades 9 - 12

Student Attends regular high school class with college level material.

Enrollment. Students choose to register for the exam in the fall while exams are given in the spring. 

College Transcript is started when a student chooses to request college equivalency credit based on their exam score. Most colleges and universities require a minimum score of 3 to grant college credit for AP exams.

College Credit & Placement is based on AP exam scores. Most colleges and universities have AP Equivalency Charts posted for available credit options. Exam scores may also be used by higher institutions for initial placement into higher level college courses. 

Transferability. AP equivalency tends to be fairly universal in credit. As will all transfer and equivalency credit, it is up to the institution awarding credit to determine the appropriate match to their curriculum.

Exam Fees. Each exam is $99. College Board offers a reduced fee of $53 to students who qualify for Free-and-Reduced-Lunch Pricing support.

Locations Offered:

• Hazen High School
• Lindbergh High School

College in the High School (CHS) courses offer college or university courses in the high school classroom, taught by high school teachers using college or university curriculum and textbooks/resources with oversight by the college faculty and staff.

Available to Grades 9 - 12

Student Attends high school class with college course material.

Enrollment. Students enroll in their high school course and may choose to enroll in the college’s course or take the class for high school credit only. Students who choose to enroll, will do so during class.

College Transcript. Students who enroll in the college course will generate a permanent college transcript with that institution subject to course and grade markings outlined by their enrollment deadlines.

College Credit is based course work. Course content is the same as it would be on a college campus. High school teachers must hold the same credentials required of college/university faculty and are trained in teaching the college's curriculum.

Transferability. Credit is highly transferrable to any public college or university in Washington State. How credits are applied is determined by the college accepting the transfer credit.

Financial Support: No cost to students. Students do not have to pay to take a CiHS class through approved public, in-state colleges and universities. Private and out-of-state colleges may charge a fee for their college-level class.

Locations Offered:

• Hazen High School
• Lindbergh High School
• Talley High School

CTE Dual Credit courses are high school courses taught by qualified CTE staff that help students gain practical skills, industry knowledge, and a head start on postsecondary education or workforce preparation. School district and partnering college faculty review the content and Learning Outcomes of each course being aligned to ensure courses taken align with college programs, preparing students for careers and/or postsecondary education. Courses in this program fall within a career pathway and can move a student towards completion of a certificate or degree in that field. Many partnering colleges now offer varying stackable certificates as well as applied associates, bachelor, and direct transfer degrees.

Available to Grades: 9 - 12

Attends high school class.

Enrollment: No college course enrollment, credit is claimed after high school course completion.

College Transcript: is started when student chooses to claim credit at the college.

College Credit: is based course work in high school courses. Courses in this program are evaluated by faculty at specific two- and four-year colleges and determined to have the same learning outcomes (knowledge and skills) as the college course listed in an agreement (articulation). College credit in this program must be applicable to a work-ready program, certificate, or degree aimed at preparing students to enter the workforce. The credit may also apply to stackable or longer certificate and degree programs as well as transfer degrees. 

Transferability: Credit is transferrable to any public college in Washington State. How credits are applied is determined by the college accepting the transfer credit. Credits are less likely to be accepted by universities. 

*Annual Fee:Annual student fee of $50 is charges as an administrative fee charged by Bellevue and LWIT’s consortium. They charge an additional $15 late fee for classes taken in previous years.
*Financial Support: Fee waiver available to students experiencing financial hardship.

Locations Offered:

• Hazen High School
• Lindbergh High School
• Renton High School
• Talley High School

Details, Offerings, and Instructions are available on CTE Dual Credit in RSD page.

The International Baccalaureate programmes offer rigorous curriculum that fosters critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and academic inquiry. Students may pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP), emphasizing broad academic study, or the IB Career-related Programme (CP), integrating career-focused real-world learning with IB coursework. Both are two-year programs taken during junior and senior years concluding with culminating exams.

Available to Grades: 11 - 12

Student Attends: regular high school class with a mixture of high school and college level material.

Enrollment: Students enroll in the programme during their sophomore year. Students choose to register for the exam in the fall while exams are given in the spring. 

College Transcript: is student's choice to claim (or not claim) college credit based on exam score and equivalency offered. Most colleges and universities in the US offer college credit with an exam score of 4 or better. Students in the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) will take more academic subject courses and tests for potential college credit equivalency than those participating in the Career-related Programme (IB CP).

College Credit & Placement is based on IB exam scores. Most colleges and universities have IB Equivalency Charts posted for available credit options. Exam scores may also be used by higher institutions for initial placement into higher level college courses. 

Industry Certificates and Experience: Students in the IB Career-related Programme (IB CP) will take fewer academic subject area courses, focusing on courses related to their career interest of study. In place of four academic subject area courses, students in this program will participate in an extensive Career Study aligned with a specific industry and job. Depending on the experience, students may earn a certification demonstrating successful completion of the study and/or an industry credential showing their experience for their next job. 

Exam Fees: Students pay a fee for each exam they take, typically around $124 per exam. Reductions or waivers are available for students who qualify for Free-and-Reduced-Lunch Pricing support. 

Locations Offered: Renton High School

Running Start is a statewide partnership between colleges and local school districts that allows high school juniors and seniors to attend local colleges tuition-free and earn both college and high school credit. Students in this program are fully enrolled in the college, earning high school credit for college coursework. Unlike other dual credit programs with full high school support, students are responsible for communicating college activity with high school.

Available to Grades 11 – 12

Student Attends class on the college campus.

Enrollment: Student enrolls in college and is responsible for knowing college requirements, Add/Drop dates, etc. Student must communicate with High School counselor to ensure graduation requirements are being met.

College Transcript: Official college transcript begins when student enrolls with college. Enrollment and dropping deadlines are set by the attending college.

College Credit: is based on course work in college courses. In this program, students are college students receiving high school credit for their college coursework. Students must earn at least a C (2.0) to earn college credit.

Transferability: College credit is transferrable to all state colleges and universities. How credits are applied is determined by the college accepting the transfer credit.

Fees: Running Start students do not pay tuition unless they take more than the maximum number of allowed classes/credits. Each term, costs may include transportation, textbooks, and college fees. Colleges must waive fees for students verified as low-income, and many provide additional support like book loan programs and transportation vouchers.

Locations Offered:

• Hazen High School
• Lindbergh High School
• Renton High School
• Talley High School