Throughout Seattle public high schools, students are expanding their horizons with the courses they choose to take. Running Start is a program that allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses at Seattle community colleges for free. By participating in this program, they receive dual credit and can meet their graduation requirements.

Once a student passes the Compass test, a placement test for Running Start, they are able to create a plan with their guidance counselor and a counselor at their preferred community college to make their Running Start schedule compatible with their high school schedule.

There are different reasons why students take Running Start classes.

“I’m taking a Running Start Spanish class for grade and credit replacement purposes,” says senior Christa Ayele.

Then there is Bakari Weaver, a senior with a full Running Start schedule who says, “I take Running start classes because I have a shorter time spent in class, I get dual credit, and I don’t have to put up with the rules of Mr. Howard and the administration.”

An anonymous student added, “I take Running Start classes because I’m not satisfied with my classes at Garfield. The teachers treat you like juveniles, and most of the work we do in class is just busy work.”

While taking Running Start classes is a popular talking point, not all students feel the same.

“There isn’t any busy work [and there are not] incompetent teachers like there are in abundance at Garfield. The Seattle Central teachers tend to be better and I learn more at Central. Running start allows you to have more freedom with your schedule and life at school,” says Weaver.

There are some cases in which students are obligated to take Running Start classes to meet graduation requirements.

Ellissa Abbott, also a senior at Garfield, says, “My reason behind taking Running Start classes is probably different than most. I am doing it to make up a credit, not to get ahead in credits. In my opinion Running Start is not better than taking high school courses at your high school full time.”

Since Running Start classes are courses taken at a community college, the atmosphere is much more “grown up.” Abbott is only a part of Running Start for credit replacement.

“Being the spirited cheerleader that I am, I would rather not start college early. College is too serious, and for now, I just want to be a kid.”

Analogous to Abbott’s last comment, Ayele says, “You only get to experience high school once and college is the same. Why would anybody rush to grow up? Enjoy your childhood, [dang it]!”

Obviously, there are some students who just want to take their time and enjoy the last bitter-sweet moments of their childhood. Isolina Campbell-Cronin wishes she had space in her schedule to take Running Start, but she does not.

“Running Start would be a good way to get a taste of what college is going to be like because I don’t think public high school prepares you for it. AP classes aren’t much different than regular classes, so I will be in for a shock when I get to college,” she says.

The anonymous student’s next point concurs with that of Campbell-Cronin’s. “With Running Start, I think I will feel more accomplished and as though I am furthering my education rather than being stagnant with busy work.”

LaKayla Witherspoon opposes the full-time Running Start life.

“Running start seems like a cool idea but I wouldn’t want to miss the high school experience. As much as I complain sometimes, these are the best years of my life and I just want to enjoy them while I can.”

Though opinions vary, the decision to take classes through Runinng Start atmosphere is based upon students’ preference, readiness, and willingness to be a part of a new environment. While some are forced to do so in order to graduate, others simply prefer it. Regardless of reasons, high school is what the student makes it, and even without Running Start, a student can have plenty of options.