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

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

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

4. 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

5. What are the pros and cons of running start?

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. Want to know more about Running Start?
Fall Student/Parent
Information Sessions
Date
Time
Location
Thursday, February 21
7:00 PM
N201
Thursday, March 7
Saturday, March 9
10:00 AM
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
Thursday, March 21
For More Information, Contact:
Bellevue College High School Programs
Phone:
Web Site:

18. Fall 2013 Deadlines Applications Due - Friday, April 19th
Complete and submit application online through High School Programs Web Site
Receive your student ID via on or before April 30, 2013
Applications Due - Friday, April 19th
Register online to take the Compass Placement Test
Take Assessment - By Thursday, May 2nd
If you meet the testing deadline and place into English 101 contact HS Programs Office
You will receive via orientation registration information on or before May 24, 2013
Register online for orientation registration
The enrollment verification form
Campus Map
Receive Pre-Registration Information
Meet with High School Counselor
Parents, Students, Counselor Signature
Bring completed and signed RS Enrollment Verification Form to the High School Programs Office B233 on or before Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Complete Enrollment Verification Form
Orientation is mandatory!
Orientation dates and times to TBD
Register for class/es on or before June 29th
Student & Parent Welcome TBD (August or September)
Campus Tours
Attend Running Start New Student Orientation

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

20. How to enroll at BC Step 2 of 5
Take Assessment
Once you have received your Bellevue College Student I.D. Number via .
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. ed to you by the HS Programs staff
Bring check or money order in the amount of $21.50

21. 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  ed 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

22. 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

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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

26. Bellevue College Transfer Degree Worksheet