1. Running Start Information
Mount Si High School
Counseling Department
February 2018

2. What is Running Start?
An opportunity for juniors and seniors to take college courses while still in high school
College tuition is covered by the school district for a specific number of credits, determined by your high school and college enrollment
Community colleges follow federal guidelines regarding FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act), which means that only students have access to their college grades and records, unless Information Release forms are signed.

3. How much does it cost?
Tuition is free up to 15 college credits per quarter (100 level courses and up). Actual credits paid for will be listed on verification form and based on enrollment.
Students considering NCAA eligibility will need to ensure they are taking 100 level courses or above for all of their required core classes.
Books, supplies, transportation, and lab fees are the student’s responsibility.

4. Where do I go to school?
Schools closest to our area include Bellevue College, Lake Washington Technical College and Renton Technical College
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

5. Hybrid Schedule
MSHS will have a new, 7 period block schedule for the school year. The schedule has not been finalized, but we know that it will be more challenging for students to take classes at both locations with the block style. Our current recommendation would be to choose only 1st period or 7th period classes at MSHS.
OSPI is also changing the calculation we will use to determine how many credits students can take at the community college if they are taking high school classes simultaneously. We do not know when this will be finalized and published.

6. Schedule Differences Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 9 TOTAL CREDITS
Fall Quarter (1 credit)
Winter Quarter (1 credit)
Spring Quarter (1 credit)
9 TOTAL CREDITS
Semester 1
Semester 2
Class #1 (0.5 credit)
Class #2 (0.5 credit)
Class #3 (0.5 credit)
Class #4 (0.5 credit)
Class #5 (0.5 credit)
Class #6 (0.5 credit)
Class #7 (0.5 credit)
Full-time Mount Si students can obtain up to seven credits per year
Each semester course is worth 0.5 credits
There are two semesters in each year and full-time means a seven class schedule
Full-time running start students can obtain up to nine credits per year
Each quarter course is worth between .5 and one high school credit
There are three quarters in which running start runs each year and full-time means a total of three classes
7 TOTAL CREDITS

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

8. Pros Wider variety of classes offered Different educational setting
Students can earn up to two years of college credits for FREE
One three-month college class (5 credits) equals 1 year-long high school class (1 credit)
You have an opportunity to take classes that apply to your chosen degree/career

9. Cons
Students are beginning their permanent college transcripts and poor grades will affect their cumulative GPA
Some colleges and universities may not accept Running Start credits (typically private or out-of-state schools)
Transportation is your responsibility
Students may miss out on high school experiences
Running Start requires you to be independent and responsible – no one is taking attendance!

10. Cons
College can require more work in less time, with less support from teachers. Self-advocacy and the ability to seek help are crucial to finding success!
Calendars
Community college operates on the quarter system and 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 and vice versa.
Students need to manage their graduation requirements, including credits, culminating projects, state testing, commencement, etc.

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 Teachers
College Professors
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 or come to their open office hours.
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.

14. College vs High School Tests
Tests in High School
Tests in College
Frequent tests covering a 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.

15. 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 again.

16. Want to know more about Running Start?
Fall Student/Parent
Information Sessions
Date
Time
Location
Thursday, February 22nd
6:30 PM
N201
Saturday, February 24th
9:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Thursday, March 8th
Saturday, March 17th
Plus 6 more dates!
For More Information, Contact:
Bellevue College High School Programs
Phone:
Web Site:

17. Enrolling in Running Start
Begin by completing community college’s Running Start application process online.
Complete all of the college’s steps, including academic placement.
Complete the Mount Si Running Start Agreement and the “Student & Parent” portions of the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (EVF).
Contact the Counseling Center to schedule an appointment with your school counselor. Parents will need to attend.
Sign up to receive the Running Start Remind Text Messages
to 81010

18. Note about MSHS Registration
Students interested in Running Start for the school year, will choose “Running Start” as their first choice. In the “Alternates” section, they will choose classes that they would take if they were to attend MSHS.

19. Enrolling at Bellevue College
Enrolling at BC is a multi-step process and detailed information can be found here.

20. How to Enroll at BC Step 1
Step 1: Complete the Running Start Application
 and wait for follow-up  
*Be sure to provide a valid address and check your junk if you have not received it!

21. How to Enroll at BC Step 2
Step 2: Read follow-up that includes your Bellevue College Student Identification Number (SID). It will also includes next steps.

22. How to Enroll at BC Step 3
Step 3: After you have completed all of the requirements, you will be sent an indicating how you can sign up for the Mandatory Registration / Orientation.

23. How to Enroll at BC Step 4
Step 4:  Complete the MSHS Running Start Agreement, which can be found on the Counseling Center website.  

24. How to Enroll at BC Step 5
Step 5:  Meet with your high school counselor to complete the Enrollment Verification Form (EVF), which can be found on BC’s website. This will be completed before each quarter and needs to be submitted to BC before you can register for classes.  

25. Graduation Requirements
While you may be full-time at Running Start, you still have to meet the graduation requirements of Mount Si High School, if you plan to earn our diploma.
The community colleges offer equivalent courses to fulfill your graduation requirements. Please refer to the website to see the full list.

26. Bellevue College Transfer Degree Worksheet
You are responsible for tracking your Associate Degree requirements and can do this with the help of a BC advisor.
Degree & Certificate Completion Worksheets

28. How to Stay Informed
All running start students are responsible for staying informed on school news and bell schedule changes due to assemblies and testing. Here is how to stay informed:
1. Check the home page and senior page for announcements.
2. Join the Running Start texting group. to
4. Join the Class of 2019 texting group. to
5. Sign up for MSHS E-News via Quick Links on our website.

29. Questions? Please contact your school counselor via email.
You can also request an appointment by calling
Rick Dempsey (A-D)
(425)
Rachel Raff (Lj-P)
(425)
Lindsay Clark
Freshman Campus: (A-Z)
(425)
Miranda Partridge (E-Li)
(425)
Shauna Jacobs(Q-Z)
(425)