Advanced Placement (AP) classes offers students the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams and earn college credit while in high school. Students take an AP Exam at the end of their AP course for the chance to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both. Nearly all colleges and universities in the United States grant credit and placement for qualifying AP scores. While a qualifying score can help students save time and money in college, research consistently shows that AP students are better prepared for college than students who don’t take AP, regardless of their exam score. AP students are more likely to enroll and stay in college, do well in their classes, and graduate on time. AP courses and exams build essential skills and confidence that can help students stand out in college admissions, thrive and succeed in college, and prepare for career success.

Locations:

• Kamiakin High School
• Southridge High School

Financial Assistance:

There are fees for AP exams, but students from low-income families who are verified by school staff can take them for free through OSPI’s exam fee subsidy program. Check with your child's school for more information on financial assistance.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit is offered through agreements between high schools and community/technical colleges. These classes can earn students both high school and college credit if they receive a qualifying grade. Unlike other programs, CTE Dual Credit does not automatically establish a college transcript, and students can request college credit after completing the class.

Locations:

• Kamiakin High School
• Kennewick High School
• Southridge High School
• Tri-Tech Skills Center

Financial Assistance:

CTE Dual Credit is usually free, but some programs may require special equipment and supplies, and there may be a small fee for creating or updating the student’s college transcript. Check with your child's school for more information on financial assistance.

College in the High School (CiHS) allows college-approved high school teachers to offer college-level classes at the high school. Students may take these classes for high school or college credit.

What Families Need To Know:

• 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 institue of higher education offering the course regardless of the student's performance
• College credit may count as elective credit if transferred to another institute of high eduction (RCW 28A.600.287)
• Families can utilize the CiHS course equivalencies tool posted on the The Council of Presidents' Dual Credit webpage to explore how a specific college credit will transfer into the four-year public universities. 
• An explanation of how CiHS courses are identified may be found within the annual course catalog and is a helpful resource for understanding how college credit earned in CiHS classes might transfer to Washington’s public baccalaureate institutions.

Locations:

• Kamiakin High School
• Kennewick High School
• Southridge High School

Financial Assistance:

CiHS is free for public school students participating through an approved in-state, public college or university.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) provides students at Kennewick High School a chance to develop their academic ability, confidence, critical-thinking, and language skills. The DP curriculum, including its six subject groups and core classes, allows students to bring their own passions and abilities, inviting all students to benefit from the program. The DP and its classes are recognized by more than 1,500 universities worldwide, providing DP graduates a chance to earn college credit and decrease the financial burden of postsecondary education. The IB Career-related Program (CP) offers students a blend of academic study and career-related skills to learn more and gain experience in a specific industry. The CP core classes develop research and inquiry skills for students in their chosen industries that they can segue into either a professional career or postsecondary education.

Location:

• Kennewick High School

Financial Assistance:

There are fees for IB exams, but the Kennewick School District applies for subsidies to help students from low-income families who are verified by school staff to take the exams at no or reduced cost. Check with your child's school for more information on financial assistance.

Running Start is a tuition-free program for students eligible to be in 11th or 12th grade offered at Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities.

What Families Need To Know:

• Eligible students may enroll in Runninng Start at any Washington community and technical college and participating state colleges and universities (Central and Eastern Washington Universities, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, and the Northwest Indian College
• Eligible students may enroll in online college courses at participating institutes of higher education
• Summer term opportunities are available for eligible students (including rising juniors) with available annual average FTE (AAFTE)
• High school diplomas may be issued by colleges to high school seniors under the conditions set forth in RCW 28B.50.535 and
• Students are responsible for applying for admission to the Institute of High Education in which they intend to enroll (RCW 28A.600.320)

Tri-Cities Locations:

• Columbia Basin College
• Washington State University Tri-Cities

Financial Assistance:

Running Start students do not pay tuition unless they take more than the maximum number of allowed classes/credits. Each term, costs may include transportation, textbooks and college fees. Colleges must waive fees for students verified as low-income, and many provide additional support like book loan programs and transportation vouchers. Check with the college your child will be attending for more information on financial assistance.

In addition to program-specific subsidies and waivers, Kennewick School District applies for funding from various sources to support dual credit programs and students. These include:

OSPI Consolidated Equity and Sustainability (CES) Grant:

This grant helps schools expand dual credit opportunities and reduce equity gaps.

Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) Dual Enrollment Scholarship Program:

This program offers financial support to students in Running Start and CTE apprenticeship programs.

Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) Education and Training Voucher (EVT):

Students in or exiting DCYF care may apply for the ETV program and receive up to $2,000 a year for dual credit costs. Students must take at least six college credits and one 100-level college class each term.