Dual Credit Programs
Issaquah School District offers course-based and exam-based options for earning high school and college credit at the same time. At Skyline, course-based options include Running Start, College in the High School, CTE (College and Technical Education) Dual Credit, and WANIC (Washington Network for Innovative Careers). IB courses are an exam-based option available to students.
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit
- Running Start
- WANIC
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
Visit the Skyline International Baccalaureate (IB) webpage to learn more.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit is a course-based Dual Credit option where college credit is earned by taking SHS CTE classes or classes through WANIC. Students can earn high school & college credit at the same time.
College credit is not awarded automatically. To get these credits on a college transcript, there is a process you need to follow. The process depends on which college you want your college credits transcribed to and instructions are below.
Available CTE Dual Credit classes
The Issaquah School District CTE website maintains a detailed table of every ISD CTE Dual Credit course and its college articulations. Skyline students should choose from the Dual Credit courses offered at Skyline High School that are part of our yearly class schedule (not every class is offered every year).
Which college should I transcribe my credits to?
The CTE Dual Credit courses at Skyline have articulations with one or more of the following colleges: Bellevue College, Shoreline CC, Edmonds CC, Lake WA Institute of Technology, and Cascadia College.
WANIC courses have articulations with the following colleges: Bellevue College, Edmonds CC, Everett CC and Lake WA Institute of Technology.
If you plan on attending one of the community colleges above, it makes sense to transcribe your courses to that college. Otherwise, we recommend you minimize the number of college transcripts you'll have, ideally transcribing all of your CTE credits to a single college.
For most Skyline students, Bellevue College will be the right choice. Bellevue College has the most articulations with our CTE classes.
Earn college credit with Pacific NW College
Use this process if you'd like your college credits with Bellevue College, Shoreline CC, Edmonds CC, and/or Lake WA Institute of Technology.
Pacific NW College Credit is the largest CTE dual credit consortium in Washington State. They partner with four local colleges (Bellevue College, Shoreline CC, Edmonds CC, Lake WA Institute of Technology) to offer Skyline students college credit for CTE dual credit classes.
Pacific NW College also provides course articulation tables. View the articulation tables for Skyline CTE dual credit classes or WANIC classes here.
To earn college credit through Pacific NW College:
1. Register your high school class(es) in the SERS system and make payment.
- Register during the school year you took the class to avoid penalty fees.
- Registration & payment system is open yearly, December 1 - June 15
2. Follow the transcription process for the college(s) you've chosen.
- Can happen anytime after your class is finished and registration is complete.
Will colleges accept my CTE classes for credit?
There is no universal answer to this question, it is different for each college and typically handled on a course-by-course basis. To find out if credit is accepted, visit the website of your college of interest and look for their transfer credit policies or equivalency guide. Some colleges even have their own proprietary credit transfer research tools to facilitate the process of credit approval. In some cases, you'll need to contact the college for this information.
Running Start
Running Start is a course-based Dual Credit option providing students with the potential to earn high school and college credit at the same time through enrollment in classes at a local college. The Washington State legislature allows qualified students to take courses at a local community/technical college during their junior and/or senior year of high school through the Running Start Program.
The Running Start program for Skyline High School is managed by our Counseling Department. Visit their Running Start webpage for more information about the program and learn how to apply.
Will colleges accept my Running Start classes for credit?
There is no universal answer to this question, it is different for each college and typically handled on a course-by-course basis.
Generally speaking, Running Start classes usually transfer easily to our public, Washington state colleges and universities. Also, the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) associate degree is designed to transfer to most Bachelor of Arts degrees at all four-year colleges and universities in Washington state. The DTA is sometimes called an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Arts and Sciences. The Intercollege Relations Commission (ICRC) — a unit of The Washington Council — oversees the guidelines for DTAs.
To find out if credit is accepted, visit the website of the college of interest and look for their transfer credit policies or equivalency guide. Some colleges even have their own proprietary credit transfer research tools to facilitate the process of credit approval In some cases, you'll need to contact the college for this information.
Recommended Resources
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ISD Running Start Presentation for Students and Parents: Informative slide deck used during Running Start Zoom session during the 2022-2023 school year.
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Washington 45: Courses offered by WA state community and technical colleges that satisfy up to one year’s worth (45 credits) of general education requirements at public four-year institutions.
WANIC
Washington Network for Innovative Careers (WANIC)
WANIC Skill Center is a course-based Dual Credit option. WANIC offers year-long, CTE-based, tuition-free technical and professional training for Juniors and Seniors. Additionally, WANIC Summer programs are offered to all high school students (rising Freshmen to rising Seniors).
WANIC programs are designed in three-period blocks allowing extended time to not only learn the theory of a subject but to also get authentic hands-on lab experience. Students who take WANIC classes will also spend a portion of their day taking classes at Skyline High School. All classes earn Occupational/Career & Technical Education high school credits and may offer other course equivalencies towards high school graduation requirements.
The majority of classes operate on a space-available basis, with enrollment given first-come, first-served. The most popular classes will hold a lottery for students who have applied before the April 15 lottery deadline.
Visit the WANIC website for more information, or download the WANIC Presentation PDF.
WANIC and Sending Schools Requirements
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Many WANIC classes have prerequisites; visit the WANIC Course Catalog webpage to view a list of the year-long courses that have prerequisites.
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Your course schedule must be arranged and approved with your high school counselor. Class and travel time should be considered. See the WANIC Course Offerings Chart for class times and locations.
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Students interested in taking classes at Digipen must attend a Digipen Info Session before their WANIC application will be approved.
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Students must provide their own transportation. Parking options vary by the location offering the program and it is the responsibility of the student to learn if parking permits are required and available.
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Attendance matters - the majority of learning is done in-school with very little homework given. Because of this, missed days of school are extremely hard to make up.
Recommended Resources:
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WANIC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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Mileage Chart PDF (Mileage between schools and programs)