College in the High School Program Achieves Accreditation Milestone 

Many high school students who want to save money on college have a newly accredited option: Bellevue College’s College in the High School program.

Since 1989, this program, similar to the popular Running Start program, provides a pathway for high school students to receive college credit. But, unlike Running Start, College in the High School students never have to leave their high school campus. This summer, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) granted accreditation to Bellevue College’s program. This accreditation eases the path for students to transfer credits they receive through College in the High School to state colleges and universities, ultimately bringing down the cost of a college degree.

“Bellevue College is pleased to have been granted NACEP accreditation, a reflection of the quality education we provide through our high school partnerships,” said Susan Hampson, director of Bellevue College’s College in the High School program. “For students who are undecided about whether they wish to attend college after completing high school, the College in the High School program can be life changing. For many students, taking these courses broadens their horizons, builds confidence, and opens doors of opportunity.”

Currently, there are several ways for students to receive college credit while they are in high school (a status called concurrent enrollment), of which College in the High School is the most accessible. To earn NACEP accreditation, concurrent enrollment programs conduct a self-study, document how their programs adhere to NACEP’s 16 standards, and undergo a rigorous peer-review process conducted by representatives from NACEP-accredited programs and the NACEP Accreditation Commission. Bellevue College is one of 132 colleges nationwide to have received this certification.

Once a high school student enrolls, attends and passes a College in the High School class, they receive transferable college credit at no cost and without the hassle and cost of going to the campus for classes or purchasing textbooks. High school teachers are trained to teach those classes, which cover the same curriculum as classes taught on Bellevue College’s campus. The program is open to every high school student, from ninth grade onward. Currently, Bellevue College’s College in the High School program serves 3,842 students with 42 unique courses in seven disciplines, including chemistry, political science, music, math and English. It is offered in 11 school districts across 22 high schools on the Eastside and as far south as Renton and Highline.