AA Degree in the High School Program
Earn your Associate of Arts (AA) Degree at Ridgeline High School
Students have the opportunity to earn a no-cost general Associate of Arts (AA) degree at their very own neighborhood high school beginning freshman year, utilizing a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA). This program will begin at Ridgeline High School (RHS) in 2025-2026 school year.
The AA degree is made up of 57 EWU credits earned at RHS, 10 SCC credits earned at RHS, and 23 SCC online Running Start credits taken with support at RHS.
RHS 4-year Associate of Arts (AA) Graduation Plan Options.
Currently, the AA-DTA degree in RHS does not meet the prerequisites for STEM-related degrees. This is yet to be determined, based on the tailoring of individual teacher qualifications.
AA Degree in HS Program Benefits
- Freshmen have the distinct opportunity to try out this program to see if it is a fit for them.
- Students stay at their neighborhood high school and earn both a high school diploma and an AA-DTA two-year college degree at the same time, during the regular school day.
- Families save thousands of dollars in college tuition costs and save up to two years off a bachelor's degree program.
- Students with an AA-DTA degree have the opportunity to transfer to any Washington public 4-year college or university as a junior, with the general university requirements fulfilled.
- Students can transfer to an associate of science program at a community or technical college with the general education requirements fulfilled. Students can later transfer to a bachelor's degree program, if desired.
- Students have the option to enter the workforce directly after high school graduation with a high school diploma and an AA-DTA degree, providing an immediate employment advantage and a solid foundation for future education, if desired.
Is your child a good fit for the full AA program?
- Are they ready for a college level class?
- Are they ready for permanent grades on a college transcript?
- At the end of high school will they be ready to declare a major?
- Do they plan on getting a non-stem major?
- Do they plan on going to an in state public college?
- Do they want to stay in building at RHS for all 4 years?
- See examples of a 4-year plan to complete the AA degree.
Why not earn an AA degree at RHS?
- STEM majors should take general ed requirements but a full Arts AA would not meet the pre-reqs for future major.
- Students not ready to have permanent grades on a college transcript.
- Students wanting to go to private 4-year college or out-of-state colleges.
Sign Up Today!
- Future 9th grade students can schedule an appointment with your RHS school counselor to learn more about the AA degree program for 2025-2026.
- Please fill out the Google Form linked here.
