Running Start Information

Created by the Mount Si High School Counseling Department

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

Schools in our area include Bellevue College, Green River Community College and Lake Washington Technical College

Where do I go to school?

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

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

Cons

Semester 1 Semester 21st 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 3Fall 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

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 attend Mt. Si Full time

College VS High School Grades

For More Information, Contact: Bellevue College High School Programs

Phone: 425-564-2026E-mail: hsprograms@bellevuecollege.edu

Web Site: http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/hsprograms

Want to know more about

Running Start?Fall 2013 Student/Parent

Information Sessions Date Time Location

Thursday, February 21

7:00 PM N201

Thursday, March 7 7:00 PM N201

Saturday, March 9

10:00 AM

1:00 PM

3:00 PM

N201

N201

N201

Thursday, March 21

7:00 PM N201

Fall 2013 Deadlines •Complete and submit application online through High School Programs Web Site

• Receive your student ID via e-mail 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 email 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

Step 1:

Submit Running Start Application

 

How to enroll at BCStep 1of 5

Step 2: 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 2 of 5

Step 3:

Receive your Pre-Registration PacketUpon 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 BCStep 3of 5

Step 4: 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 BCStep 4 of 5

Step 5:

Attend Mandatory New Student OrientationRunning 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.

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

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

Credits Mount Si VS Bellevue College

http://

bellevuecollege.edu/worksheets/pdfs/transfer/AAS_DTA.pdf

Bellevue College Transfer Degree Worksheet