1. Welcome! Running Start Parent and Student Information Session

2. What is Running Start?
An opportunity to earn College Credit and High School credit at the same time.
Requirements:
Must be a high school junior or senior to participate
Must be enrolled in a public high school
Must pass placement requirements (based on previous grades, test scores)
Must meet all program deadlines
Cost:
Local school district pays the tuition
Students pay for books, fees and parking
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3. English Placement
For English placement students may take the ACCUPLACER standardized exam, or use one of the other available options, which includes
High School transcript, less than two years old, and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
Appropriate grade in a high school English course, less than two years old
Smarter Balanced Language Art score of 3 or 4
Appropriate scores on AP or IB exams, less than two years old
Placement from another Washington State Community or Technical college (reciprocity), less than two years old
Placement using ACCUPLACER

4. Math Placement
For Math placement, students may use one of the following options:
Appropriate grade in a high school math course, less than one-year old
Successful completion of the Bellevue College entrance exam for specific math courses
Placement from another Washington State Community or Technical college (reciprocity), less than one year old
Smarter Balanced Reports, scores 3 or 4
Placement using ALEKS PPL, a web-based program

5. How does Running Start work?
Must indicate an interest this spring
attend an information session at BC
complete all registration steps
Can choose to participate full-time or part-time
Must equal full-time student (see counselor for more information)
Schedule a meeting with counselor to plan schedule
One 5-credit college course is equal to one year (1.0 credit) of the high school level course.
Student must take district required classes (more on this later).

6. Is Running Start right for you?
Are you…..
excited about academic challenges?
more mature than most high school students?
comfortable with diverse situations?
assertive and able to ask for help on a large campus?
doing well academically?
highly involved in activities at BHS?

7. Benefits of Running Start
Free college tuition!
Advanced course work and academic challenge
Variety in course selection (foreign languages, sciences, astronomy with a real planetarium, etc.)
Flexible schedule
Develop independence
Make connections with college faculty
A new social environment
Opportunity to earn a two-year college degree (A.A./A.S.)

8. Challenges of Running Start
Scheduling challenges
Must meet high school graduation requirements
Parents have limited control
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
A new social environment and age diversity
Harm to your college and high school transcript by doing poorly (and financial aid ramifications)
More and more classes are online
Conflicting vacation dates
May miss out on assemblies/activities at BHS

9. BC Running Start Academic Policy
Bellevue College requires all students to maintain a 2.0 GPA (“C” average)
If your GPA for one quarter is below a 2.0, you will be placed on academic probation.
Running Start students who achieve below a 2.0 GPA for ANY TWO QUARTERS will become ineligible to participate in the program.
This means: you have to come back to school full-time at BHS immediately!

10. BSD Running Start and BHS Policies
Students must enroll during the BC enrollment period during the spring prior to the first fall quarter.
After BHS starts, NO BHS classes will be dropped to accommodate Running Start.
After BC starts, NO BHS classes will be ADDED for credit.
Students turn in signed BSD Running Start contract.
Students must make an appointment with his/her BHS counselor before each BC quarter’s registration date (we will not be able to meet with you if you just show up). Your BHS counselor will help you fill out and sign your BC registration paperwork.
It is important to plan out the courses you will take each quarter for the entire year.

11. Fall 2017 Info Sessions
Your attendance is required at one session as a first step in the Running Start application process. Sign up online at

12. Upcoming Info Sessions at BC
Feb. 18 (Sat.) 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
Feb. 23 (Thurs.) 6:30 p.m.
Mar. 11 (Sat) 9:00 a.m.  or 1:00 p.m.
Mar. 16 (Thurs.) 6:30 p.m.
Mar. 30 (Thurs.) 6:30 p.m.
Apr. 8 (Sat.) 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
Apr. 13 (Thurs.) 6:30 p.m.
Apr. 27 (Thurs.) 6:30 p.m.
May 4 (Thurs.) 6:30 p.m.
May 6 (Sat.) 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
See BC flyer

13. Other Running Start Partner Programs
Lake Washington Technical Institute
Renton Technical College
Seattle Central College

14. Questions?
Refer to the handouts today with important dates and deadlines.
Visit Bellevue College’s website:
Ask a counselor!