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College in the High School

The College in the High School (CiHS) program is designed to provide college-level coursework on our campus where students can learn in a familiar environment, from teachers they already know and trust, while removing barriers such as cost and travel often associated with earning college credit.

Steilacoom High School has a partnership with Central Washington University which allows our students the option to earn college credit (for free) should they choose to register with CWU. CiHS classes are the same classes we have offered previously; the main difference is that Central has vetted our syllabi and approved our teachers as adjunct faculty.

The decision to start a college transcript is not a requirement for any student who is enrolled in these classes. So, if your student is at all worried about this particular content they do not need to apply for college credit. CiHS courses will carry the same SHSD high school graduation and college admissions requirements as in previous years. 

Another neat element of having a CiHS program at Steilacoom is that all students in these classes, regardless of whether they are pursuing college credit or not, are awarded a bonus 0.5 elective credit during the semester that overlaps with the college instruction. So, simply by being in this particular class, your student has the opportunity to earn 1.5 high school credits.

Should you choose to embark on this pathway, we anticipate that there will be lots of specific questions. We encourage everyone to check out the this comprehensive FAQ resource provided by our partners at CWU. (It is very thorough, so please use CTRL+F to search for a specific term or phrase.)

The CiHS program currently offers a diverse selection of courses including:

  • Algebra II

  • American Sign Language (ASL) I, II, III

  • Biology

  • German I, II, III

  • Physics Inquiry

  • Pre-Calculus I and II

  • Spanish I, II, III
     

Additional benefits of the CiHS program include:

  • Affordability: Students can earn valuable college credits at no cost.

  • Academic Preparation: Challenging courses help students develop the skills and confidence needed for post-secondary success.

  • Convenience: Taking college-level classes right at Steilacoom High School eliminates the need for transportation to a separate college campus.

    Looking Ahead:
    Our goal is to continue expanding by adding new courses each year. This ensures that students have increasing opportunities to explore advanced topics and prepare for their academic and career aspirations.

    We are proud to offer this exciting, no-cost opportunity to our school community and are committed to helping our students achieve their goals. For more information about the CiHS program, please connect with your student's high school counselor and stay tuned for the 25-26 course catalog for new CiHS additions!