RUNNING START 101 SPRING OPEN HOUSE 2009, SHORECREST HIGH SCHOOL

What is Running Start? “Learning by Choice” bill passed by the State Legislature in 1990, creating the Running Start program Must be a high school junior or senior to participate Must be enrolled in a public high school

What is Running Start? Local school district pays the tuition Student is responsible for books, parking and additional fees Students may attend the community college campus full or part time Students must be at Junior credit level (10 credits or more) to access

What is Running Start? Must pass an assessment test to participate - ASSET or COMPASS You MUST place into English 101 on the assessment to qualify for Running Start This placement will tell us that you are currently reading and writing at the level of a college freshman If this is not currently your skill level, you must remain in the high school program

Running Start=Dual Enrollment Running Start is a “dual enrollment” program, similar to programs in 47 other states Students earn high school and college credits simultaneously One 5-credit college course is equal to one year of the high school level course ( , , , , ) Available at all 32 Washington state community colleges

Is Running Start right for YOU? Are you excited about academic challenges? Do you consider yourself more mature than most high school students? Are you comfortable with diverse situations? Can you be assertive and ask for help on a large college campus? Have you done well in previous academic work? Are high school activities important to you?

BENEFITS of Participating in Running Start Free college tuition! Advanced course work and academic challenge Variety in course selection Flexible schedule (can take up to 18 credits) Develop independence Make connections with faculty, many of whom are happy to write letters of recommendation and recommend programs of study A new social environment

CHALLENGES of participating in Running Start Transfer credit issues- can be a problem at private schools and universities in other states Books, fees and transportation costs- can be a few hundred dollars per quarter Fast pace and time demands of college studies **The material covered in an 11-week quarter at the college is the equivalent to that which is covered in a year of high school Must meet all high school graduation requirements A new social environment and age diversity

CHALLENGES of participating in Running Start Potential harm to your college and high school transcript by doing poorly FERPA- Parents do not have access to student information unless student has submitted an Information Release Form to RS office (parents do not have access to faculty at any time) Conflicting vacations/semester vs. quarters can be confusing Sports/Activities/Clubs As is the case with all students, there is no guarantee that a RS student will be able to register for a particular class at the preferred time or quarter

RS at Shorecrest Students must meet with a counselor to review graduation plan/goals Student and Parent/Guardian must sign Running Start Agreement Form prior to registration at community collegeRunning Start Agreement Form SC Seniors are required to take three courses at SC: Senior Consumer Economics, Senior Literature and Senior History

Running Start Academic Policy Community colleges require all students to achieve a 2.00 GPA (“C” average) or be placed on academic probation Approximately 10-12% of all Running Start students achieve below a 2.00 GPA in any given quarter If your GPA for one quarter is below a 2.00, you will be placed on academic probation Running Start students who achieve below a 2.00 GPA for ANY TWO QUARTERS will become ineligible to participate in the program

Why require a “C” average? College admissions are getting more competitive every year. You will typically not gain admission to the college of your choice with a GPA this low Poor grades are a sign that you are not yet ready for this environment, and should do skill-building at your high school You do not qualify for financial aid (student loans) on future college tuition if you have an established GPA of less than 2.00 We enforce this policy to protect you. If you achieve less than a “C” average, you are closing off options for future studies and financial help. Running Start is designed to OPEN doors and SAVE you money

Applying to a 4-year school as a Running Start student It is important to meet w/ an academic advisor at the community college There can be big differences between WA schools and those out-of-state Some private colleges do not grant college credit if the courses were taken while still in high school You always apply as a “freshman” applicant, and your credits are awarded after you are admitted Include your transcript from the Community College with your application

Initial Steps Complete the college application form and submit with HS transcript Complete the assessment test Submit Running Start Agreement form, review course offerings and get approval from HS counselor Submit course approval form to college and attend a registration appointment

Helpful Sites/Contacts Shoreline Community College Running Start Office - (206) North Seattle Community College Running Start Office - (206) WOIS.org - Site key for Shorecrest: ndm888 Career, Community and Technical College information for the state of WA

Questions? Feel free to contact the Shorecrest Counseling Office to make an appointment with your assigned counselor if you have specific questions (206)