Four Running Start Information Nights to be held for high school students and their parents interested in learning more about the program
VANCOUVER — High school students can learn how to take the next step in their education by attending one of four optional Running Start Information Night sessions at Clark College.
The identical sessions will be held 7-8 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 5; Mon., Feb. 24; Mon., March 9; and Tue., March 24. All four events, which are free and open to the public, will be held in the Clark College gymnasium in the O’Connell Sports Center, located on the southwest side of Clark College’s main campus.
Running Start allows eligible juniors and seniors to earn college credit while they fulfill their high school graduation requirements. Running Start students attend Clark classes along with “regular” college students. They can choose from a full range of academic and professional and technical courses.
The program, which can significantly reduce the cost of a college degree, has proven popular in Southwest Washington. Some Running Start students are so motivated that they earn their associate degree from Clark at the same time that they earn their high school diploma. These annual information nights frequently attract hundreds of interested students and parents to the college, which is why the college is hosting four sessions this year. Clark College welcomed 2,428 Running Start students at the beginning of the 2019 fall term.
These information sessions are for students and parents who want to know more about beginning the program in Fall 2020. While the sessions are completely optional, they are a good opportunity to hear current Running Start students candidly describe their experiences in the program and to learn about the eligibility criteria, expectations, timelines, and more. Students and parents who live on the eastern side of the college’s service district can also find out about expanded options available at Clark’s East Vancouver location at Columbia Tech Center.
Running Start students pay for books, transportation, and some fees, but do not pay full Clark College tuition. Students can attend part-time or full-time under the Running Start program. Fees are subject to change by the Washington State Legislature. A fee waiver is available for those demonstrating financial need.
Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way in Vancouver, Wash. Parking will be available in the college’s Red lots on the east side of Fort Vancouver Way and in the Purple Lot on the west side of Fort Vancouver Way. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.
Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at (360) 992-2314 or (360) 991-0901 (VP), or visit Penguin Union Building (PUB) room 013, as soon as possible.
For more information on Running Start, visit the Clark College website at www.clark.edu/runningstart. For information about Running Start Information Nights, call (360) 992-2078.
About Clark College
Located in Vancouver’s Central Park and serving up to 11,500 students per quarter, Clark College is Southwest Washington’s oldest public institution of higher education. The college currently offers classes at two satellite locations: one on the Washington State University Vancouver campus and one in the Columbia Tech Center in East Vancouver.
Information provided by Clark College Communications.
