Dual Credit Programs

Dual Credit Programs allow students to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school. Students may become eligible for the awarding of college credit based on scores obtained in the year-end examinations and through taking college-level classes either at their high school or at colleges and universities. Examples include Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College in the High School, Running Start and Dual Credit.

Participation in these programs results in increased high school graduation rates and college enrollment, better grades in college and a higher likelihood of earning a college degree or professional certificate.

Sumner-Bonney Lake School District dual credit programs give students an opportunity to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. Per the Washington Student Achievement Council, “students who earn college credit are more likely to graduate high school, enroll in college, and complete college degrees.” Sumner-Bonney Lake School District offers the following Dual Credit course offerings.

Programs allowing Dual Credit through standardized examinations:

• Advanced Placement (AP)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)

Programs allowing Dual Credit through college course enrollment:

• Running Start
• CTE Dual Credit course offerings (designated in the course catalog and may change annually)
• College in the High School 

Career & Technical Education Dual Credit
Dual Credit allows students to earn both high school and community/technical college credit for completing high school courses. For earning a grade of "B" (3.0) or higher in select high school classes, students can earn community/technical college credits. To qualify, students must meet specific requirements established by the college and high school instructors. Credits are posted to transcripts during the summer following the school year in which they were earned. Credits appear on the transcript just as credits earned on the community/technical college campus.

Through Pierce County Careers Connection (PC3), the Puget Sound Dual Credit Careers Connection (PSDC3), Project Lead The Way and, and the Tech Prep College Connection, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District students can earn credits from Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, Green River Community College, Highline Community College, Pierce College, Renton Technical College, Lake Washington Community College, Rochester Technology Institute, Tacoma Community College, and University of Washington.

Benefits of Dual Credit

• Stay on your high school campus and receive community/technical college credit.
• Take advantage of free tuition.
• Earn both high school and community/technical college credit for completing high school courses.
• Save on community/technical college tuition before you graduate from high school.
• Receive priority registration (you register before other new students) if you attend your selected community/technical college after high school graduation.
• Begin your community/technical college career with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
• Enjoy an opportunity to explore career fields before high school graduation.
• Gain practical skills that will be useful regardless of post-high school plans.
• Enhance your resume with Dual Credit credits. College credits considered in determining military pay.