Clover Park School District strives to provide all students with an exemplary college preparatory education so they can succeed in college, career and life.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program
All students are encouraged to seriously consider enrollment in one or more AP courses during 10th, 11th and 12th grades. AP courses are also available to students in 9th grade. Advanced Placement courses are college-level courses offered in high school. AP courses include extensive reading. Students in AP courses may earn college credit if they perform well on rigorous national AP tests. Ask your counselor for assistance in selecting courses that will prepare you for success in any AP course that interests you. Additional information about the AP program is found on page 4 in the AP information section.
Community/Technical College CTE Dual Credit
DUAL CREDIT (http://pc3connect.org) is a combined secondary and post-secondary program of integrated courses allowing high school students to begin a Career and Technology Education program that leads to a two-year Associate degree or a two-year certificate and/or a four-year baccalaureate degree. To begin a Tech Prep sequence, students should enroll in a high school Career and Technical Education class that is designated as a college credit course. If the student completes the course with the minimum required grade and completes a SERS application, they will receive the equivalent course credit at no cost at the participating community or technical college. Your career specialist has information on these programs. Dual Credit is available with Clover Park Technical College (CPTC), Bates Technical College (BTC) and Pierce College (PC).
College in the High School
This program provides high school students the opportunity to earn college credit in approved high school courses, when the equivalent course is taught at a college or university. Clover Park students may choose to take any College in the High School course for high school credit only, choosing not to pay the college or university the optional fee for college credit. Contact your high school teacher of the particular courses for more information.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, located at Harrison Preparatory School, is recognized internationally as a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, designed to challenge college-bound students. The IB program’s broad range of subjects accommodates diverse student interests and intentions while adhering to the objectives of a cohesive liberal arts education. IB courses are college-level courses offered in high school which includes frequent homework and involves extensive reading. Students in IB courses may earn college credit or advanced placement if they perform well on rigorous IB tests. For more information see specific course descriptions, or talk to a Harrison Prep counselor.
Running Start
Current Washington State legislation allows high school students to attend their local community college or technical school and earn high school credits and college credits at the same time. There are no tuition fees for the student if the number of credits does not exceed the maximum allowed. Students enrolled in Running Start must:
- Have junior or senior standing in high school.
- Make application to the program during the enrollment period in March prior to the fall quarter the student wishes to attend.
- Sign a Clover Park School District Running Start contract with parent(s)/guardian(s).
- Enroll in courses that are approved by the high school counselor so that graduation requirements are completed in conjunction with any college coursework that may lead to an Associates degree. The student should also maintain fulltime enrollment so that the student’s graduation status is not jeopardized.
- Be responsible for knowing the registrations date(s) and deadline(s) for district and college course registration
- Be responsible for transportation, lab fees and books.
Students taking a quarter class through the Running Start Program (#100 and above) will be issued high school credit that reflects quarter hour participation. Generally, a five hour quarter Running Start class will equal
1.0 high school credits. Running Start courses (#100 and above) equate to .5 required and .5 elective credit. Running Start courses numbered below 100 will equal .5 high school credits. For a complete listing of these equivalent credits, please see your high school counselor. It is important to note that very specific Running Start courses are equivalent to the Clover Park School District program. Please contact your high school counselor for a listing of courses that meet CPSD requirements. The approved Running Start courses are listed in the course descriptions on the following pages.
Pierce College and Tacoma Community College Equivalent Courses
See appendix in back of course catalog.