Early College FAQs
What is the difference between Early College and Running Start?
Early College
- Early College classes are taught by HCC instructors but are taken on the high school campus.
- Our EC classes take place after school and only WHS students are allowed to enroll in the EC classes taught on the WHS campus.
- WHS EC Coordinator/counselor(s) assist students with HCC application process and registration.
- Early College classes are free of charge to the HS students, including books.
- Running Start classes are taken on the UHH campus or Hawaii Community College, so students are in classes with college students and the classes may run during the high school day.
- Students should discuss their interest in RS with their HS counselor and are expected handle the application and registration process on their own.
- Running Start classes will cost students who do not qualify for Gear-Up or other tuition assistance. (See Gear-Up website for more information: https://www.hawaii.edu/dualcredit/running-start/
What does Dual Credit mean?
Dual credit means students will receive high school credit AND college credits for courses taken through Early College. IS 101=1 HS Elective, ICS101=1 Elective HS credit, ENG100=1 ENG HS credit, etc. The grades for EC classes WILL be factored in the high school GPA as well as the college GPA. EC classes are college classes and will remain on college transcripts throughout college career.
What is the schedule and time frame for the EC classes?
Early college classes run either Monday & Wednesday from 2:00-3:15 pm or Tuesday & Thursday from 2:30-3:45pm. Classes run on the HCC College calendar, not the HS calendar. Classes generally start later and end earlier each semester. Also, WHS Fall Break is not on the HCC calendar, so students may be required to attend classes during break. Beginning spring 2019, HCC is matching DOE spring break, so hopefully this will continue. Summer classes also run on the HCC calendar and are generally Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30-11:30 am (6 weeks).
What is the curriculum like? Do they make it easier for HS students?
No, the curriculum is the same for HS students as it is for college students. These are college classes. The difference might be in the delivery of the instruction for HS students. Students will be expected to perform at a higher level than their high school classes and the expectations for behavior and attendance will also be higher. While instructors understand EC students are still in high school, they also know these students have chosen to take a college class and will expect college performance, behavior, etc.
What about attendance? How many classes can students miss? Is it like high school?
Students are expected to be in class every day. Driver's Ed, athletic practices, hula practice, are NOT excused. Students are expected to make arrangements for doctor's appointments, vacations, etc. around the college class. The college instructor and principal have the right to remove a student with more than three absences. Course grade may also be lowered a letter grade for more than3 absences. There is no AIM class for college classes. In addition, if a student is removed from class after the drop date, this may impact a student's college transcript and they will not be allowed to continue with Early College classes.
What does the Cohort mean?
Students in the summer after freshman year and during sophomore year are required to take the EC courses in order beginning with IS101 and HWST. Because these classes don't have any prerequisites, they provide an excellent foundation for future higher level college courses like ENG100, SPCOM, HIST, PSY and SOC. The cohort stays together as a group through these courses as part of our WHS support system and are given priority enrollment in all EC courses.
What about Juniors and Seniors?
Juniors and seniors who qualify for higher level courses through grades, recommendation, and EdReady/SAT/ACT test scores, may enter upper level courses based upon enrollment capacity and availability after the Cohort students have registered.
What are the qualifications to apply for Early College?
- 2.0 GPA
- Placement in 100-level classes through EdReady testing prior to enrollment in English 100
- No F’s in core subjects
- Demographics: Economically disadvantaged; Under-served ethnic minority; first to college in family
- Students not meeting the criteria will be placed on wait-list pending course enrollment capacity
Can students take more than one course at a time?
With a full high school schedule, enrollment in more than one Early College course is not recommended.
What is EdReady? Why do students have to pass to continue with ENG100 and higher?
HCC requires ALL incoming students to take the EdReady placement test. These serve as a placement assessment to ensure students are taking the appropriate college level courses based on the knowledge and skills.
