Running Start Information Created by the Mount Si

Running Start Information Created by the Mount Si High School Counseling Department Presented Spring 2015

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

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

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.

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 credits 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.

Mount Si Credits Semester 1 Semester 2 1 st period (0. 5 credits) 2 nd period (0. 5 credits) 3 rd period (0. 5 credits) 4 th period (0. 5 credits) 5 th period (0. 5 credits) 6 th period (0. 5 credits)

Community College Schedule Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Fall Quarter (1 credit) Winter Quarter (1 credit) Spring Quarter (1 credit)

What about a blended schedule? Number of Mount Si High School classes Number of Running Start Classes (assuming each course is a five credit class) 1 3 2 2 3 2 4 1

What are the pros and cons of running start?

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.

Cons Some schools weight MSHS AP classes higher than Running Start classes. Running Start credits may not transfer to your four-year college. 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 operate 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.

College VS High School Personal Freedom in High School Your time is usually structured by others. You can count on parents and teachers for guidance and to remind you of your responsibilities. Personal Freedom in College You manage your own time. You will be faced with new moral and ethical decisions. You must balance responsibilities and set priorities. Guiding Principle: You will usually Guiding Principle: You're old be told what your responsibilities enough to take responsibility for are and corrected if your behavior your decisions and their is out of line. consequences.

College VS High School Classes The school year is 36 weeks long; some classes extend over both semesters and some do not. College Classes 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 Some instructors factor attendance. into final grades. You are provided with textbooks at You must budget $200 or more for little or no cost. textbooks each quarter.

College VS High School Studying in High School Study time outside of class can be as little as 2 hours per week, and this may be for last-minute test preparation. Studying in College 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 Substantial reading and writing necessary to learn what is needed. assignments may not be directly reviewed in class. Guiding Principle: You are usually told Guiding Principle: It's up to you to read in class what you need to learn from and understand the reading assigned readings. assignments. Lectures and other assignments presume you have already done so.

College VS High School Teachers approach you if they believe you need assistance. Teachers provide you with information you missed when you were absent. College Teachers Most instructors expect you to initiate contact if you need assistance. Instructors expect you to get notes from classmates for information you missed. Teachers often write information on the Good note-taking skills are a must; board to be copied into your notes. instructors expect you to identify the important points. Teachers often take time to remind you Instructors expect you to consult the of assignments and due dates. course syllabus for all important class information.

College VS High School Tests in High School Frequent tests covering small amount of material. Tests in College 2 or 3 tests per quarter, may be cumulative, covering large amounts of material. Teachers may rearrange test dates Instructors in different courses to avoid conflict with school events. usually schedule tests without regard to the demands of other courses or outside activities.

College VS High School Grades in High School Consistently good homework or "extra credit" may raise your overall grade when test scores are low. Initial low test grades may not have an adverse effect on your final grade. Guiding Principle: Effort counts. Teachers reward a good-faith effort. Grades in College Grades on tests and major papers usually comprise most of the course grade. Generally, all tests contribute substantially to your final grade. A low initial test is a "wake-up call". 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 and be re-enrolled at Mount Si.

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

Step 1 of 5…details Step 1: Read Step 1 before you apply: You will first be asked to set up an account with your own user ID and password. After that you will then need to fill out the application to attend BC through the Running Start Program. The online application consists of four sections. All required questions are marked with an asterisk(*). You can save the application at any time and return later to complete it. There is not an application fee. Use your legal name – no nicknames, when applying. You know your application was submitted if you receive confirmation to the email provided on the application – ” If you received this email that means we have received your Fall Quarter 2015 application …. . ” If you did not receive that – you did not complete the application, it is possible that you only created the username and password. Once we process your application, wait to receive an email with your Bellevue College Student Identification Number (SID). It is extremely important that you provide a valid e-mail address on your application. Often the SID email notification gets directed to your spam/junk folder. Be sure to check there too.

How to enroll at BC Step 2 of 5 Step 2: Take Compass 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 BC 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 3 of 5 Step 3: Create your BC email account: We previously asked you to do this in the email we sent that included your SID and instructed you to come test. IF you have not done so – do so now. Now that you have passed the COMPASS test, you are half way there to being a BC student. You are required to create a BC email and it is your responsibility to check for messages often. Create a Bellevue College Net. ID Here, or check the MYBC and choose “create my account” on the Bellevue College website. You will be enrolled in the online Running Start Pre-Orientation class that starts April 6, 2015. This class will need to be completed and you must pass the class in order to register to attend mandatory Running Start Orientation/Registration.

How to enroll at BC Step 4 of 5 Step 4: Submit the Enrollment Verification Form 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.

How to enroll at BC Step 5 of 5 Step 5: Sign up for the Mandatory Orientation/Registration They will offer several dates and times for students to attend Running Start Orientation/Registration. You will receive THE FINAL STEPS email only if you place into English 101 and completed and passes the Running Start Preorientation online class. The final email is how you will register for an optional advising workshop and mandatory Running Start Orientation/Registration. The email you receive will include a link you need to use to sign yourself up for a specific session. There will be multiple sessions that afternoon. Due to limited seating, only the student is able to sign up. Be sure to sign up only one time and use your legal name.

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.

Graduation We recommend students complete their Mount SI High School graduation requirements by winter quarter senior year. If MSHS graduation requirements have not been fulfilled by winter senior year participation in the Mount Si High School graduation ceremony is determined on teachers report (pass/fail) spring quarter.

Q & A Q. Can I still be in NHS if I do running start? A. Yes, you are still a MSHS student and your Running Start grades will be placed on your transcript as such. Q. Can I participate in clubs and activities at MSHS? A. Yes! Q. What is going to be covered at the parent night? A. The BC info session will be presented on our campus and we will have a student panel answering questions about their experience at BC.

Q & A Q. Can I attend schools other than Bellevue College for Running Start? A. Yes, you can attend any school in Washington that participates in the program. Other schools we have had students attend in the past include Renton Technical and Green River CC. Q. Are there course equivalencies for all MSHS graduation requirements? A. Yes, all courses have course equivalency including PE and Health. Q. Can I take more than the allotted 15 credits at BC? A. Yes, but this is at your own cost.

Q & A Q. Is it better to get an AA or take classes I am interested in? A. It depends on your post high school plans and the colleges or universities you are interested in. Talk with your MSHS counselor, your BC counselor about the program you are interested in post high school. Some schools like students to have an AA, some schools don’t accept any Running Start credits. Q. Where can I find the course equivalencies? A. Your counselor can provide you with a list. Q. Why don’t you post the course equivalencies online? A. A couple of reasons, one, they change and we want to make sure you are working off of the most current list so the classes you sign up for are the classes that count for credit! Two, we want to meet you and know that you are interested in running start!

Q & A Q. Can I take Algebra 2 through running start? A. Yes, but because it is a class below the 100 level you will have to pay the cost of the course. Q. Can I do online courses through MSHS and Running Start? A. Yes. Q. Can I do online Running Start courses? A. Yes.