Dual Credit Programs

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is an exam-based Dual Credit option providing students with the potential to earn high school and college credit at the same time through successful completion of a course and/or corresponding exam. The AP Program was designed by the College Board to give high school students an introduction to college-level material. Through taking AP Exams, students can earn college credit and placement. 

Available AP Classes

Browse the online High School Course Guide to view AP classes offered to students. Please note: Not every class is offered every year. Consult with your counselor to inquire about specific courses for specific years.

Will 4-year colleges accept my AP scores?

There is no universal answer to this question, it is different for each college. AP scores are recognized by many colleges and could earn you college credit and/or or advanced placement (meaning you could skip certain courses in college). Use the AP Credit Policy Search tool to find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores.

Which dual credit is better, AP or Running Start?

This is a very popular question with no objectively clear answer. A lot of this depends on WHY you are pursuing Dual Credit. To help aid you in your discovery, visit these online articles to learn more about these dual credit options, their similarities and differences, popular opinions and pros and cons:

• AP vs. Dual Enrollment: The Pros & Cons of Each Program Research.com fact-based article with a lot of good things to consider
• Running Start vs. AP: Making the right decision for you Blog article by a Running Start Student on ReadyWA website
• Does AP or Dual Enrollment Look Good on College Applications? College Reality Check Article
• College Classes in High School: Is AP or Community College Better? PrepScholar Article
• How to Decide Between AP vs Dual Enrollment Courses Achieve Academy Article 

Recommended Resources

• How many AP classes should I take? US News and World Article addressing a lot of our FAQs many of the most common AP questions we get

CTE Dual Credit is one of the Washington State Dual Credit programs that allows high school students to receive both high school and college credit at the same time. As with other programs, each eligible high school course may be used to claim college credit one time.

College credit through this program is possible through partnerships between school districts and two- or four-year colleges in which teachers and college faulty collaborate to ensure the learning outcomes for the student are the same in the high school course as those in the aligned college course. These agreements (articulations) connect specific high school courses to specific college courses at specified colleges. 

Students must meet the minimum grade requirement in all courses that make up an articulation to be eligible to claim the college credit. Eligible students may choose whether or not to claim the college credit through the college's transcription request process.

College	Min Grade	SERS Reg
Bellevue College	B (3.0)	YES
Everett College	B (3.0)	YES
Green River College	C (2.0)	no
Highline College	C (2.0)	no
North Seattle College	B (3.0)	YES
Renton Technical College	C (2.0)	no

College credit earned through this program are applied to professional technical certificates, degrees and/or transfer degrees. Credits are transferrable to any Washington State public two- or four- year college, they may be less transferrable to universities. These classes are often designed to be stackable or built upon. Many of the college courses awarded may be applied to a certificate as well as count towards an Applied Associate, Bachelor, or transfer degree.

Learn more about our CTE programs. 

Renton School District’s College in the High School (CiHS) program allows high school students to take college courses from approved high school instructors without leaving their high school campus. Students grades 10 -12 are able to participate in the program. CiHS programs are established through a contract between a high school and a college or university. The high school and college or university define the criteria for student eligibility. Multiple colleges sponsor CiHS courses in Renton.

Benefits

Students can accelerate their academic studies by earning college credit while attending high school without giving up their high school experience. Students have the opportunity to experience college level work in a familiar environment. Completing rigorous high school coursework and earning college credit can strengthen the student’s college application as well as help meet basic college and university requirements.

Cost

While the College in High School program has provided many opportunities, the cost to register for courses has historically been a barrier for some students. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, all public high school students enrolled in College in the High School courses will be able register to earn college credit at no cost to the student or school thanks to passage of Senate Bill 5048, which provides state funding directly to the colleges and universities offering College in High School programs. 

• There is no fee to enroll for college credit at Washington’s public colleges and universities and Heritage University
• Enrollment for college credit starts a college transcript at the IHE offering the course regardless of the student’s performance and
• College credit may count as elective credit if transferred to another IHE (RCW 28A.600.287).
• Families can utilize the CiHS Course Equivalencies tool posted on the Council of Presidents’ Dual Credit webpage to explore how a specific college credit will transfer into the four-year public universities.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) is a two-year educational program. The program provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognized by many universities worldwide. Renton High School currently offers this program. 

Through the IBDP, schools develop students who: 

• have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge
• flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
• Study at least two languages
• excel in traditional academic subjects
• explore the nature of knowledge through the program's unique theory of knowledge course

Students at IB schools are given a unique education to:

• be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning
• take part in programs of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world
• become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language
• be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

Current IBDP Courses Offered at Renton High School

Higher Level Courses:

English A: Language and Literature, History of the Americas, Psychology, Business Management, Visual Arts 

Standard Level Courses:

Spanish B, Spanish Ab Initio, Biology, Environmental Systems and Society, Mathematics, Mathematical Studies, Sports, Exercise and Health Science

Core Class:

Theory of Knowledge

Running Start is a course-based Dual Credit option providing students with the potential to earn high school and college credit at the same time through enrollment in classes at a local college. The Washington State legislature allows qualified students to take courses at a local community/technical college during their junior and/or senior year of high school through the Running Start Program. The Running Start Program is managed by our Counseling Department.

Which dual credit is better, AP or Running Start?

This is a very popular question with no objectively clear answer. A lot of this depends on WHY you are pursuing Dual Credit. To help aid you in your discovery, visit these online articles to learn more about these dual credit options, their similarities and differences, popular opinions and pros and cons:

• AP vs. Dual Enrollment: The Pros & Cons of Each Program Research.com fact-based article with a lot of good things to consider.
• Running Start vs. AP: Making the right decision for you Blog article by a Running Start Student on ReadyWA website
• Does AP or Dual Enrollment Look Good on College Applications? College Reality Check Article
• College Classes in High School: Is AP or Community College Better? PrepScholar Article
• How to Decide Between AP vs Dual Enrollment Courses Achieve Academy Article 

Which colleges accept my Running Start classes for credit?

There is no universal answer to this question, it is different for each college and typically handled on a course-by-course basis. Generally speaking, Running Start classes usually transfer easily to our public, Washington state colleges and universities. Also, the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) associate degree is designed to transfer to most Bachelor of Arts degrees at all four-year colleges and universities in Washington state. The DTA is sometimes called an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Arts and Sciences. The Intercollege Relations Commission (ICRC) — a unit of The Washington Council — oversees the guidelines for DTAs. 

To find out if credit is accepted, visit the website of the college of interest and look for their transfer credit policies or equivalency guide. Some colleges even have their own proprietary credit transfer research tools to facilitate the process of credit approval  In some cases, you'll need to contact the college for this information. 

Recommended resources

• Washington 45: Courses offered by WA state community and technical colleges that satisfy up to one year’s worth (45 credits) of general education requirements at public four-year institutions.