San Juan Center

Welcome to the San Juan Center, your gateway to higher education, workforce training, and community learning in the beautiful San Juan Islands.  The San Juan Center provides accessible, high-quality educational opportunities to students of all ages. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to helping you achieve your educational goals, whether you’re starting your college journey or seeking to enhance your professional skills.

Areas of Study

Because of the island way of life, on-line learning is a popular way to engage with further education. However, beginning in the 2027-28 school year, we are working diligently to bring in-person instruction back to San Juan County – check back often for updates on in-person course offerings as we develop these programs!

Here at the San Juan Center, we primarily guide people through the Associate of Arts degree, a 90 credit degree with a guaranteed transfer agreement with any four year college in Washington State. Got preexisting credits from other colleges? Ask us about transferring those credits into the AA degree. 

In addition to the Associate of Arts degree we work with Skagit Valley College’s Mount Vernon campus to create access to all the programs and resources offered at the College. We work with our local educational and community non-profits to provide educational programs that are particularly valuable to residents and businesses in San Juan County.

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Running Start

Our dual credit program ‘Running Start’ allows High School students to earn college credits, tuition free*. As well as a modest in-person schedule at the center, we also guide students to the college’s wide range of online classes. While many Running Start students choose the convenience and flexibility of online courses, we work closely with SJISD, OISD, LISD, and independent/home school providers to develop in-person course schedules that allow students to benefit from as many in-person classes as possible. We frequently host Running Start information nights, in person and remotely for all-island access. 

*Students are responsible for fees, unless they qualify for free and reduced lunch

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Road Scholar

The Road Scholar travel program provides enriching educational travel experiences for adult learners. Participants engage in immersive, hands-on learning across various subjects and locations, guided by expert local instructors. Current Road Scholar offerings run from April-October and include six different itineraries featuring hiking, kayaking, pickleball, and a broad range of learning opportunities highlighting the Islands’ history, wildlife, and natural environment. Our Road Scholar programs are designed to foster lifelong learning through exploration and interaction, encouraging personal growth and cultural enrichment. Join us for a journey that combines education, adventure, and fun! Click Here for a complete list of current Road Scholar offerings in San Juan County and across the globe!