Program overview

Recognizing instruction excellence among our local high school teachers, Whatcom Community College (WCC) has partnered with local area high schools to offer College in the High School (CiHS). High school students complete college coursework to satisfy high school requirements while earning Whatcom Community College credit. 

How is College in the High School different from Running Start?

CiHS provides students the opportunity to receive credit through participating high school teachers, trained and approved to teach college courses. Students earn college credit without leaving the familiar environment of their high school.

National accreditation

Whatcom Community College is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). NACEP’s standards serve as the model criteria for ensuring parity in faculty, course content, student outcomes and support. Receiving NACEP accreditation means an institution has met the nation’s most rigorous standard in concurrent enrollment program development, management, and evaluation across multiple, multifaceted program areas.

Credit transferability

CHS courses are transcribed on an official Whatcom Community College transcript. Most courses fulfill lower-division General Education Requirements at community colleges and universities. All public colleges and universities in Washington have agreed to accept CiHS credits. WCC cannot guarantee that these credits will meet specific program or other course requirements at the receiving institution.  Private colleges and universities and public institutions outside the state may choose not to accept transfer credits. Students are strongly encouraged to check with prospective colleges and universities to understand if and how the credits will transfer. 

Student Eligibility

Ninth, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, and students who have not yet received a high school diploma or its equivalent and are eligible to be in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades, may participate in a College in the High School program. 

In 2023-24, there is no fee for students to register for a CiHS program course. (RCW 28A.600.287).

Steps for admissions & enrollment

Please fill out and submit the College in the High School application. Your application will be processed within 2-3 business days and you will be enrolled in the class(es) indicated on the form. You will receive email confirmation after you are enrolled.

Important dates and deadlines for 2024-2025

Date / deadline First Semester & Yearlong classes second semester only
 Application Deadline October 3   February 5
Registration/enrollment period October 31 - November 30 February 27 - March 31
 Last day to withdraw from the course without a "W" grade January 27 May 5
Last day to withdraw from the course with a "W" on the transcript March 7 May 30
Grades posted June June

How to become a CiHS teacher

At this time, we're not able to accept new partner schools for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. If you have any questions or are interested in exploring partnership opportunities in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at cihs@whatcom.edu. For details on applying and becoming a WCC College in the High School (CiHS) teacher, please review this document.