Pathways to Success

There's more than one way to get a high school diploma or get a head start on your post-high school education!

Note: Not all these programs are available at all schools. Check with your high school counselor or advisor for more information.

Running Start - 11th and 12th grade students can attend college classes tuition-free and earn both high school and college credit.

Running Start for the Trades - Similar to Running Start, this program allows 11th and 12th grade students to take classes that prepare them to enter a full-time apprenticeship upon graduation, or into a two-year program leading to an apprenticeship.

Advanced Placement (AP) Program - High school students complete rigorous college-level courses, successfully take an end-of-course exam, and can earn college credit.

College in the High School - This program brings college instructors into high school classrooms to teach college courses to qualified high school students. Students can earn both high school and college credit.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program - An internationally-recognized, rigorous program for high school students. Click here for a list of IB schools in Washington.

Online Learning - Students can complete a couple classes online, or enroll in a part-time or full-time program.

Opportunity Internships - This is a new program that allows high school students to earn a scholarship for college or apprenticeship by completing a workplace internship with a local employer during high school. This program is just getting under way. To receive more information once the program begins, please send me your email address and we will send you updates.

Tech Prep - Provides students with hands-on training and work experience in a number of technical industries such as applied science, agriculture or health care, and leads a student directly to an associate degree, two-year certificate or apprenticeship. Related: New Market Skills Center serves 25 high schools in 10 districts, providing educational opportunities to high school students interested in pursuing an apprenticeship or other career or technical training after high school.

Additional resources:

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)