South Puget Sound Community College

Any high school junior or senior (11th or 12th grade) is eligible for Running Start. Eligibility is determined by class standing only- grades, extra curricular activities, and such do not matter! To be admitted into the Running Start program students must pass the Reading Comprehension and Sentence Skills sections of the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) qualifying for Writing 101. Students are not required to take the Math portion of the placement test for admission into Running Start. However, if a student wishes to take math courses at the college or take a class that has a math prerequisite they will be required to take the Math test for placement into these classes.

Come see if Running Start is right for you! Students and parents are encouraged to attend an information session to learn more about the program. Please remember that events held at the high schools are for students attending those high schools only. Events held at South Puget Sound Community College are open to all students.

• *April 8, 2009-6pm to 7pm
  Running Start Information Night
  Where: Building 22, Room 200A
• *April 21, 2009-6pm to 7pm
  Running Start Information Night
  Where: Building 22, Room 200A
• *May 7, 2009-6pm to 7pm
  North Thurston Information Session
  Where: Building 22, Room 200A
• *May 19, 2009-6pm to 7pm
  Running Start Information Night
  Where: Building 22, Room 200A
• *June 3, 2009-6pm to 7pm
  Running Start Information Night
  Where: Building 22, Room 200A
• *June 11, 2009-6pm to 7pm
  Running Start Information Night
  Where: Building 22, Room 200A

* For sessions at South Puget Sound Community College: Metered parking is available in Lot C ($.25 an hour) or you can obtain a temporary permit from the security office. Visit the parking webpage for more information about parking on campus. Click here for a map of campus.

Print off an easy to use checklist [pdf] of the steps to registration.

For the Running Start Application, please click here.

Step 1: Take the Placement Test
All students wishing to participate in Running Start must take the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) at SPSCC and qualify for English 101 placement. Students can use the study guide to practice for the test. Students are allowed to test twice in each section (Reading, Sentence Skills and Math). After the second time testing if students do not have qualifying scores they should make an appointment to meet with the High School Outreach staff to discuss alternative options. You can contact Anne Molenda or Christina Winstead for an appointment. For more information on testing dates and times, please visit the Testing Center webpage.

Step 2: Meet With Your High School Counselor
Meet with your high school counselor to discuss your graduation plan. You will want to get a copy of classes you have left to take for graduation and a list of the course equivalencies. Each high school determines what courses at the college will count for high school credit. Equivalencies may vary between high schools. Your high school counselor will help you fill out the Running Start application form. You can look at available classes on our website through the class schedule. If you attend an Option A high school, you will get your high school counselor’s signature before coming to South Puget Sound Community College to register for classes. If you attend an Option B high school, you will get your high school counselor’s signature after registering for classes at South Puget Sound Community College. Your high school has determined whether they are an Option A or Option B school. Please consult with your high school counselor.

Step 2: Register For Classes
This is it! The last step to enrolling in Running Start is to register for classes at South Puget Sound Community College. Bring your registration form with you to building 25 and come to the Enrollment Services counter. If your high school counselor has helped you select a class schedule (Option A schools), you will be enrolled in those classes. If your high school counselor has sent you with a blank schedule (Option B schools), we will have you meet with our advising staff to select courses. Once you are registered for courses it will be your responsibility to go back to your high school and get your high school counselor’s signature and return the application form to the college. Regardless of if you attend an Option A or an Option B school, your application will not be complete without the high school counselor signature. Students will be dropped from classes without a completed application form.