Running Start Information

Created by the Mount Si High School Counseling DepartmentPresented Spring 2015

An opportunity for juniors and seniors to take college courses while still in high school.

What is Running Start

Tuition is free. Books, supplies, transportation, and lab fees are the student’s responsibility.

How much does it cost?

You can have a blended schedule where you

take some classes at Mount Si and some at the community college or take all of your courses at the community college.

Where do I go to school?

Full time Mount Si students can obtain up to six

credits per year. Each semester course is worth 0.5 credits. There are two semesters in each year and full time

means a six class schedule. Full time running start students can obtain nine

credits per year. Each quarter course is worth one high school credit. There are three quarters in which running start runs

each year and full time means a total of three classes.

Credits Mount Si VS Bellevue College

Semester 1 Semester 2

1st period (0.5 credits) 1st period (0.5 credits)

2nd period (0.5 credits) 2nd period (0.5 credits)

3rd period (0.5 credits) 3rd period (0.5 credits)

4th period (0.5 credits) 4th period (0.5 credits)

5th period (0.5 credits) 5th period (0.5 credits)

6th period (0.5 credits) 6th period (0.5 credits)

Mount Si Credits

Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3

Fall Quarter (1 credit) Winter Quarter (1 credit)

Spring Quarter (1 credit)

Fall Quarter (1 credit) Winter Quarter (1 credit)

Spring Quarter (1 credit)

Fall Quarter (1 credit) Winter Quarter (1 credit)

Spring Quarter (1 credit)

Community College Schedule

Number of Mount Si High School classes

Number of Running Start Classes (assuming each

course is a five credit class)

1 3

2 2

3 2

4 1

What about a blended schedule?

What are the pros and cons

of running start?

There is a wider variety of classes offered. Students who find that the traditional high school is

not fitting their needs can flourish in a different setting.

You can earn up to two years of college credits FREE. If you know exactly what you want to do in life.

Running Start can give you a great head start. One three-month college class (5 credits) equals 1

year long or 1 credit of high school classes. You have an opportunity to take classes that apply to

your chosen degree/career.

Pros

Some schools weight MSHS AP classes higher than

Running Start classes. Running Start credits may not transfer to your four-

year college. Transportation is your responsibility. You might miss out on high school experiences. Running Start requires you to be independent and

responsible. College requires more work in less time, with less

support from teachers. Some students who are academically ready may find the independence and the speed of college classes overwhelming; they may benefit by remaining in high school classes.

Cons

Community colleges operate on the quarter

system. Mount Si operates on a semester system. Holidays and vacation periods may be different. Students are expected to attend classes at the college even though their high school is not in session.

Student is in charge of meeting deadlines at the high school and for running start independently.

Cons

Personal Freedom in High School

Personal Freedom in College

Your time is usually structured by others.

You manage your own time.

You can count on parents and teachers for guidance and to remind you of your responsibilities.

You will be faced with new moral and ethical decisions. You must balance responsibilities and set priorities.

Guiding Principle: You will usually be told what your responsibilities are and corrected if your behavior is out of line.

Guiding Principle: You're old enough to take responsibility for your decisions and their consequences.

College VS High SchoolPersonal Freedom

High School Classes College ClassesThe school year is 36 weeks long; some classes extend over both semesters and some do not.

The academic year is divided into three separate 11 week quarters, plus 3 days at the end of the quarter for final exams.

Teachers carefully monitor class attendance.

Some instructors factor attendance into final grades.

You are provided with textbooks at little or no cost.

You must budget $200 or more for textbooks each quarter.

College VS High School Classes

Studying in High School Studying in CollegeStudy time outside of class can be as little as 2 hours per week, and this may be for last-minute test preparation.

You should plan to study 2 to 3 hours outside of class for each in-class hour throughout the quarter to achieve mastery.  You will need to review class notes and assignments regularly.

Class participation is often all that is necessary to learn what is needed.

 Substantial reading and writing assignments may not be directly reviewed in class.

Guiding Principle: You are usually told in class what you need to learn from assigned readings.

Guiding Principle: It's up to you to read and understand the reading assignments. Lectures and other assignments presume you have already done so.

College VS High School Studying

High School Teachers College TeachersTeachers approach you if they believe you need assistance.

Most instructors expect you to initiate contact if you need assistance.

Teachers provide you with information you missed when you were absent.

Instructors expect you to get notes from classmates for information you missed.

Teachers often write information on the board to be copied into your notes.

Good note-taking skills are a must; instructors expect you to identify the important points.

Teachers often take time to remind you of assignments and due dates.

Instructors expect you to consult the course syllabus for all important class information.

College VS High School Teachers

Tests in High School Tests in CollegeFrequent tests covering small amount of material.

2 or 3 tests per quarter, may be cumulative, covering large amounts of material.

Teachers may rearrange test dates to avoid conflict with school events.

Instructors in different courses usually schedule tests without regard to the demands of other courses or outside activities.

College VS High School Tests

Grades in High School Grades in CollegeConsistently good homework or "extra credit" may raise your overall grade when test scores are low.

Grades on tests and major papers usually comprise most of the course grade.

Initial low test grades may not have an adverse effect on your final grade.

Generally, all tests contribute substantially to your final grade.  A low initial test is a "wake-up call".

Guiding Principle: Effort counts. Teachers reward a good-faith effort.

Guiding Principle: Results count. Instructors expect quality work.

If you fail one or more classes at the community college you are placed on academic probation. If it happens the following quarter you will be forced to leave the program and be re-enrolled at Mount Si.

College VS High School Grades

Step 1:

Submit Running Start Application

 

How to enroll at BCStep 1of 5

Step 1:  Read Step 1 before you apply: You will first be asked to set up an account with your own user ID and password.

After that you will then need to fill out the application to attend BC through the Running Start Program.

The online application consists of four sections. All required questions are marked with an asterisk(*). You can save the application at any time and return later to complete it. There is not an application fee.  Use your legal name – no nicknames, when applying.

You know your application was submitted if you receive confirmation to the email provided on the application – ” If you received this email that means we have received your Fall Quarter 2015 application …..”  If you did not receive that – you did not complete the application, it is possible that you only created the username and password.

Once we process your application, wait to receive an email with your Bellevue College Student Identification Number (SID). It is extremely important that you provide a valid e-mail address on your application.  Often the SID email notification gets directed to your spam/junk folder. Be sure to check there too.

Step 1 of 5…details

Step 2: Take Compass Assessment• Once you have received your Bellevue College Student I.D.

Number via Email.• Check the Assessment Office Testing Calendar for open testing

days and times.• Students must take the Compass Assessment Placement.• Please notify the BC High School Programs office upon

completion of the test. Placement into English 101 is required for the Running Start Program.

• The testing fee is $21.50.• A sample assessment can be found here.Bring the following items to the test: • Picture ID. You will not be allowed to test without it.• BC Student ID Number. Emailed to you by the HS Programs

staff.• Bring check or money order in the amount of $21.50.

How to enroll at BC Step 2 of 5

Step 3: Create  your BC email account:

We previously asked you to do this in the email we sent that included your SID and instructed you to come test. IF you have not done so – do so now.

Now that you have passed the COMPASS test, you are half way there to being a BC student.  You are required to create a BC email and it is your responsibility to check for messages often.  Create a Bellevue College NetID Here, or check the MYBC and choose “create my account” on the Bellevue College website.

You will be enrolled in the online Running Start Pre-Orientation class that starts April 6, 2015. This class will need to be completed and you must pass the class in order to register to attend mandatory Running Start Orientation/Registration.

How to enroll at BCStep 3of 5

Step 4: Submit the Enrollment Verification Form Make an appointment with your High School

Counselor. Complete

Running Start Enrollment Verification Form with your High School Counselor.

Plan your class schedule and have the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form signed by High School Counselor.

How to enroll at BCStep 4 of 5

Step 5: Sign up for the Mandatory Orientation/Registration They will offer several dates and times for students to

attend Running Start Orientation/Registration. You will receive THE FINAL STEPS email only if you place

into English 101 and completed and passes the Running Start Pre-orientation online class. The final email is how you will register for an optional advising workshop and mandatory Running Start Orientation/Registration.

The email you receive will include a link you need to use to sign yourself up for a specific session. There will be multiple sessions that afternoon. Due to limited seating, only the student is able to sign up. Be sure to sign up only one time and use your legal name.

How to enroll at BCStep 5 of 5

While you may be full time at Running Start,

you still have to meet the graduation requirements of Mount Si.

Bellevue College offers equivalent courses to fulfill your graduation requirements.

Graduation Requirements

We recommend students complete their

Mount SI High School graduation requirements by winter quarter senior year.

If MSHS graduation requirements have not been fulfilled by winter senior year participation in the Mount Si High School graduation ceremony is determined on teachers report (pass/fail) spring quarter.

Graduation

Q. Can I still be in NHS if I do running start?A. Yes, you are still a MSHS student and your

Running Start grades will be placed on your transcript as such.

Q. Can I participate in clubs and activities at MSHS?B. Yes!Q. What is going to be covered at the parent night?C. The BC info session will be presented on our

campus and we will have a student panel answering questions about their experience at BC.

Q & A

Q. Can I attend schools other than Bellevue College for Running Start?A. Yes, you can attend any school in Washington that participates in the program. Other schools we have had students attend in the past include Renton Technical and Green River CC.Q. Are there course equivalencies for all MSHS graduation requirements? A. Yes, all courses have course equivalency including

PE and Health.Q. Can I take more than the allotted 15 credits at BC?B. Yes, but this is at your own cost.

Q & A

Q. Is it better to get an AA or take classes I am interested in? A. It depends on your post high school plans and the colleges or

universities you are interested in. Talk with your MSHS counselor, your BC counselor about the program you are interested in post high school. Some schools like students to have an AA, some schools don’t accept any Running Start credits.

Q. Where can I find the course equivalencies?B. Your counselor can provide you with a list.Q. Why don’t you post the course equivalencies online?C. A couple of reasons, one, they change and we want to make sure

you are working off of the most current list so the classes you sign up for are the classes that count for credit! Two, we want to meet you and know that you are interested in running start!

Q & A

Q. Can I take Algebra 2 through running start?A. Yes, but because it is a class below the 100

level you will have to pay the cost of the course.

Q. Can I do online courses through MSHS and Running Start?B. Yes.Q. Can I do online Running Start courses?C. Yes.

Q & A