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What is Running Start?

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!

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.

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Schedules – Full Time vs Part Time

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.

Blended schedules can be challenging, due to our block schedule.

Make sure the College you choose can support you in meeting your graduation requirements! Ex- some don’t offer PE

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Schedule Differences

Quarter 1	Quarter 2	Quarter 3	Quarter 4 – Summer Optional!
Fall Quarter (1 Credit)	Winter Quarter (1 credit)	Spring Quarter (1 credit)	Depends on credits used during Fall, Winter & Spring
Fall Quarter (1 Credit)	Winter Quarter (1 credit)	Spring Quarter (1 credit)	Can only take 1-2 classes
Fall Quarter (1 credit)	Winter Quarter (1 credit)	Spring Quarter (1 credit)

Semester 1	Semester 2
Class #1 (0.5 credit)	Class #1 (0.5 credit)
Class #2 (0.5 credit)	Class #2 (0.5 credit)
Class #3 (0.5 credit)	Class #3 (0.5 credit)
Class #4 (0.5 credit)	Class #4 (0.5 credit)
Class #5 (0.5 credit)	Class #5 (0.5 credit)
Class #6 (0.5 credit)	Class #6 (0.5 credit)
Class #7 (0.5 credit)	Class #7 (0.5 credit)

College Schedule =

9+ credits

MSHS Schedule =

7 credits

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How much does it cost?

Tuition is free up to 21 college credits per quarter (100 level courses and up).

Actual credits will be listed on a verification form and is based on enrollment.

Full Time Running Start = 21 credits
The more classes you take at MSHS = less college credits available each quarter – Ex. If you take 2 classes at MSHS you can only take 16 credits each quarter at the college.

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How much does it cost?

Books, supplies, transportation, and lab fees are the student’s responsibility.

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Where do I go to school?

Students are able to do Running Start at any Washington Community College or Trade School

Schools closest to our area include: Bellevue College, Lake Washington Technical College, Central Washington (Sammamish), and Renton Technical College.

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What are the

pros and cons of Running Start?

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Pros

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

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Cons

Students are beginning their permanent college transcripts and poor grades will affect their cumulative GPA at MSHS and college
Running Start credits may not apply directly to all majors, if planning to transfer to another 4-year college or university (may end up taking more than 2 years to complete major)
Transportation is your responsibility
Students may miss out on high school experiences
No one is taking attendance or following up with you to make sure you’re showing up and completing your work.

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Things to consider

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.
Bellevue College’s Spring Quarter ends after Mount Si’s graduation ceremony in June. We recommend that students complete all HS graduation requirements by Winter quarter of their senior year.

Students need to manage their graduation requirements, including credits, culminating projects, state testing, commencement, etc.

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High School vs. College

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.

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High School vs. College

Classes

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 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.

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High School vs. College

Teachers

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 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.

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High School vs. College

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.

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HIGH SCHOOL VS. COLLEGE

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 again the following quarter, you may be forced to leave the program & attend Mt. Si full-time again.

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Running Start Recommendation Checklist

Students should:

Be on track to graduate (12+ credits by the end of 10th grade or 18+ credits by the end of 11th grade)
Provide proof of placement (English & Math) at chosen community/technical college

Can be obtained via transcript submission or by taking a placement test
If a student places below college-level (100 level) for math, the student will be required to take their math class at Mount Si High School or show proof of registration in Math 098 or higher at their chosen community college for Fall Quarter

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MSHS Registration

Students interested in Running Start for the upcoming school year should register as if they are staying at MSHS full time with 7 requests.

In your alternates, enter Part-Time Running Start OR Full-Time Running Start and then fill in the rest of your alternates.

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Want to know more about Running Start?

Information Sessions:

Renton Technical College Info Sessions

Central Washington University (Sammamish) Info Sessions

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General Steps:

Every college has a similar process for applying and registering, please make sure to follow the steps needed for the college you plan to attend.

General Steps:

Decide what college you plan to attend Running Start
Attend an information session at the college
Complete the college’s Running Start application (check for specifics – some colleges you’ll apply as a first-year student and some as a running start student!)

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General Steps Continued:

Complete your English and Math Placement
Look at the appropriate Equivalency Chart and start thinking about what classes you want to take in your first quarter.
Review the MSHS Running Start Participation Agreement Video and Read and Sign the Agreement.
Use the link on the website to sign up for an appointment with your school counselor – this will include a parent/guardian.
Submit your EVF
Once your EVF is cleared, register for classes!

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Graduation Requirements

While you may be full-time at Running Start, you still have to meet the graduation requirements of Mount Si High School.
The community colleges offer equivalent courses to fulfill your graduation requirements. Please refer to the website to see the full list.
Students considering NCAA eligibility will need to ensure they are taking 100 level courses or above for all of their required core classes.

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Transfer Associate Degrees

You are responsible for tracking your Associate Degree requirements and can do this with the help of a Running Start or College Advisor.
Plan to meet with an Advisor within the first 2 quarters to start tracking your requirements, even if you don’t know if you want to earn an AA degree.

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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. It is also very important to pay attention to communication about graduation requirements, the High School & Beyond Plan, and times to meet with your counselor for the EVF paperwork prior to registration each quarter.

Here is how to stay informed:

Check the home page, running start page, and senior page of the school website for announcements.
Sign up for MSHS E-News via Quick Links on our website.
Check SVSD email account!
Make sure your contact information is 100% accurate and consistent on all paperwork.
Follow Parent Square / Student Square communication