Running Start Information Created by the Mount Si High School Counseling Department

What is Running Start An opportunity for juniors and seniors to take college courses while still in high school

How much does it cost? Tuition is free. Books, supplies, transportation, and lab fees are the student’s responsibility.

Where do I go to school? 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 Schools in our area include Bellevue College, Green River Community College and Lake Washington Technical College

What are the pros and cons of running start?

Pros 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.

Cons Taking MSHS AP classes looks good on college applications. Not all Running Start credits may transfer to four-year colleges. 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 operates 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

Mount Si Credits Semester 1 Semester 2 1st period (0.5 credits) 2nd period (0.5 credits) 3rd period (0.5 credits) 4th period (0.5 credits) 5th period (0.5 credits) 6th period (0.5 credits) This picture denotes a typical Mount Si High School Student Schedule. Typically students attending Mt. Si full time attain 6 credits per semester.

Community College Schedule Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Fall Quarter (1 credit) Winter Quarter (1 credit) Spring Quarter (1 credit) Full time running start students take three courses each quarter and each of those courses is equivalent to one high school credit. Full time high school students typically earn six credits a school year. Full time Running Start Students have the opportunity to earn nine

College VS High School Personal Freedom 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 School Classes College Classes The 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 Studying Studying in High School Studying in College Study 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 Teachers College Teachers Teachers 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 Tests Tests in High School Tests in College Frequent 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 Grades Grades in High School Grades in College Consistently 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 attend Mt. Si Full time

How to enroll at BC Step 1of 5 Submit Running Start Application  

How to enroll at BC Step 2 of 5 Take 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 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 3of 5 Receive your Pre-Registration Packet Upon completion of the steps above, the pre-registration packet will be e-mailed to you. It will include the following: An orientation date and time The enrollment verification form Bellevue College campus map A class schedule can be accessed at http://bellevuecollege.edu/classes/  

How to enroll at BC Step 4 of 5 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. Be sure that the course load between Bellevue College and your High School don’t exceed the course load limit. Carefully read, complete, and sign the form with all participating parties (student, HS counselor, parent/guardian, and Running Start Coordinator). Bring your Enrollment Verification Form to Mandatory Running Start New Student Orientation

How to enroll at BC Step 5 of 5 Attend Mandatory New Student Orientation Running Start New Student Orientation times will vary, based upon application priority. Note: Please don’t forget to bring your Enrollment Verification Form. Without it you won’t be able to register for classes.

Graduation Requirements 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

Credits Mount Si VS Bellevue College 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 credit 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

Bellevue College Transfer Degree Worksheet http://bellevuecollege.edu/worksheets/pdfs/transfer/AAS_DTA.pdf