Some students have had a hard time focusing in school, for the classes are not their skill levels and students have the opportunity for higher skill level classes. Running Start is offered to any junior and senior in the radius of Oak Harbor to Concrete at Skagit Valley College. Same for NCTA, but it is located at SVC and Sedro-Woolley High school.
NCTA is more hands-on like the veterinarian program, which works with animals. Running Start not as much, but some classes might. Running Start would be great for students that need a challenge. NCTA is more hands-on and learning the field you might want to go into.
“There are a lot of tricky steps to it, shout-out to my counselor Zoe K for helping me through it all,” said Aidan Wahl, a junior Running Start student at Sedro-Woolley High School.
Most students that have taken Running Start have had many issues including: getting a hold of enrollment, finding forms that are needed, enrolling for classes and the lack of classes that are offered. Students like Wahl have had to ask for help.
Zoe Kapan, a counselor at Sedro-Woolley High school said, “Signing up for Running Start is very tedious. There is an application, supplemental application, students must take an assessment for placement, and then when the application is all done – they are on a standstill until SVC creates their courses for Fall. So, until that happens, they can’t finish the process.”
Kapan also said, “Signing up for NCTA is very easy. No issues with students signing up.”
To enroll in a running start you must pick your class, send it to your counselor, who must sign it, who then sends it back to the student. The last step is sending it to enrollment, who then will approve your classes. As for NCTA it is a much easier process.
Kennedee Patula, a junior NCTA student at Mount Vernon High School, said she signed up easily.
“When I got enrolled at NCTA all I had to do was talk to my counselor about how I wanted to join the NCTA and it was quite easy.”
Some students have gotten on well and some haven’t because of their ability to finish higher level classes or never got past enrollment. There are still 2 free years of college no matter if you take Running Start or NCTA. Wahl says that he was thinking of quitting, but then reminds himself that it is free years of college.
“In the very beginning I was worried I wouldn’t succeed in Running Start,” said Wahl. “I wanted to quit it all, but I knew I could overcome it.”
As for Vivian Verrue, a senior at Burlington-Edison High School, she says over the years she has struggled also, but always would bounce back. NCTA can be hard and some might struggle at first.
“Some struggles I’ve had have been doing the work in my vet class because sometimes it can be pretty challenging, but other than that it’s worth it,” said Patula.
The Running Start Program would be great for the students who do not feel challenged in high school.
“I am taking classes I enjoy, that are set to my personal skill level, instead of taking classes I’m not so interested in at the High School,” explained Wahl.
“I definitely would recommend it to high school juniors and seniors, especially if you have problems with regular schoolwork. This is something that you are actually interested in so you tend to work harder at it,” said Kendra Knuth, a Senior at Concrete High School and a former NCTA student.
Running Start is for students wanting to get their AA transfer degree and NCTA is getting right into the work field right after High School.
Students that don’t know what they want to do, but want to get some (free) college down do Running Start. Students that want to do programs like veterinarian assisting, culinary arts, criminal justice, and so much more at SVC should take NCTA.
No matter what, you will get credits for college. Though some colleges do not accept all the transfer credits. Students can also join clubs, activities, and SVC ASB bodies if interested and enrolled at SVC. SVC is very welcoming to high school students and will treat you like any other student. Every student interviewed recommends that seniors and juniors take NCTA or Running Start. Most said it was an amazing experience or still is.
SVC programs are a cheaper way to get school done for high school students. Books, Fees, are not included in the tuition. Though Running Start and NCTA offer different things for Seniors and Juniors. Running Start is for students to get their transfer degree, as for NCTA programs including: EMT, Business, Criminal Justice, and even veterinary.