Dual Credit (College Credit)

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Dual Credit Courses

Dual Credit programs allow students to take college-level courses while still in high school. Students may become eligible for college credit based on scores obtained in the year-end examinations and/or through taking college-level classes either at their high school or at colleges and universities.

 

Olympia School District offers students Dual credit opportunities such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College in the High School (CiHS), CTE Dual Credit and Running Start (RS).

 

Benefits of Dual Credit

  • Stay on your high school campus and receive college credit.
  • Take advantage of free or low-cost tuition.
  • Earn both high school and college credit for completing high school courses.
  • Save on college tuition before you graduate from high school.
  • Enjoy an opportunity to explore career fields before high school graduation.
  • Gain practical skills that will be useful regardless of post high school plans.
  • Enhance your resume with Dual Credit credits.
  • Earn College credits that are considered in determining military pay. 

 

Advanced Placement (AP) (11th-12th Grades)

The Advanced Placement (AP) program allows students to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school. Students may earn college credit and/or advanced placement into upper-level college courses by taking AP exams. All WA State Universities now award course equivalent credit for most AP courses with a score of 3. Many other colleges and universities recognize AP courses when making admissions decisions.

 

International Baccalaureate (IB) (11th -12th Grades)

The 35 IB World Schools in Washington state offer programming that develops the intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills young people need to live, learn, and work in a connected, highly diverse world. These are challenging, rigorous courses of study, open to students aged 3 to 19 years. International Baccalaureate Brochure

All WA State Universities now award course equivalent credit for most IB courses with a score of 4. Many colleges and universities recognize IB courses as they make admissions decisions. Students who take IB exams have the chance to earn college credit or advanced placement, or both, within upper-level college courses. Although the IB age is 3-19 continuum, Capital High School only has the Diploma Program which is specific to grades 11 and 12. 

 

College in the High School (CiHS) (10th, 11th, 12th Grades) - 9th grade eligible beginning 9/2021

College in the high school courses are college level courses taught by high school teachers in the high school. Colleges partner with high schools to approve teachers and ensure rigor is comparable to that taught on the college campus. Students have the option of earning college credit while completing these courses.

 

Running Start (RS) (11th - 12th Grades)

Running Start is intended to provide students a program option consisting of attendance at certain institutions of higher education and the simultaneous earning of high school and college/university credit. Running Start was initiated by the Legislature as a component of the 1990 parent and student Learning by Choice Law. Students in grades 11 and 12 are allowed to take college courses at Washington's community and technical colleges, and at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, and Northwest Indian College.

 

CTE Dual Credit (9th-12th Grades)

A CTE Dual Credit course is an instructional partnership between Community Colleges and our Career & Technical Education program. These courses have a signed articulation agreement between Olympia School District (Career and Technical Education) and at least one community/technical college. CTE Dual Credit puts high school students on the pathway to a college education by allowing them to complete technical classes while in high school. Students taking CTE Dual Credit approved classes at their home high schools earn both high school and college credit simultaneously.

 

A student earning CTE Dual Credit from SPSCC must earn a "B" grade or better. Students earning CTE Dual Credit from the Pierce County Consortium (Bates Technical, Clover Park Technical, Pierce College) must earn a "C" grade or better.  

 

Students pay no tuition for CTE Dual Credit classes and because students stay on their high school campus. Interested students should contact their high school counselor.

 

 

Washington 45

The Washington 45 agreement spells out a list of courses offered by Washington state's community and technical colleges that satisfy up to one year’s worth (45 credits) of general education requirements at public four-year institutions.

 

A student who earns these credits is not guaranteed admission into a four-year institution. The Washington 45 does not equal — or replace — the Direct Transfer Agreement associate of arts degree, associate of science, or any major-related program agreements.

 

Which Courses are on the List?

 

Visit CTE Dual Credit Page