Important dates:
Seniors-
High School & Beyond Plan/Culminating Project - presentation due dates:
Dec. 14-18, 2009 and March 22-26, 2010
(Please make an appointment with Ms. House)

Helpful PDFs:
Running Start Student Agreement (pdf)
About Running Start (pdf) (same as text listed below....)


About Running Start…

How Running Start Works
The credits you earn through Running Start can, with careful planning, apply to your high school graduation and college degree or certificate.
Your college tuition (up to 18 college-level credits per quarter) are covered by your high school. Books and applicable fees are your responsibility.
Running Start is available fall, winter and spring quarters. If you want to attend summer quarter, you will need to apply to our Enhancement program and pay tuition and lab fees.
Community Colleges follow federal guidelines under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which means that only students have access to their college grades and records. Release of Information forms are available at the Registration counter.
Five college credits are equivalent to one high school credit.
The grades and credits earned through Running Start are part of your permanent college and high school transcripts.
Your high school calendar and breaks will not always match with the Running Start academic calendar.

Is Running Start for you?
To be successful, you will need to be:
• mature, self motivated and possess good time management skills. College classes move quickly and cover content oriented to the adult learner.
• comfortable interacting with a very diverse campus community.
• prepared for the amount of time that college classes require. Every hour in class requires two hours of studying.

Eligibility
You must be a junior or senior and enrolled in a public high school for the quarter in which you plan to attend. If you attend a private school or are home schooled, you will need to enroll in a public school.

Registration Dates
Quarter Registration Begins (Approx.) Quarter Begins (Approx)
Winter Quarter, 2010 November 23 January 4, 2010
Spring Quarter, 2010 March 1 March 29, 2010
Fall Quarter, 2010 Mid-May Mid-September

Steps to Apply and Register for Classes
Complete Steps 1 through 6 by the final deadline.
Step 1
Get Running Start guidance from your Advisor or Academy Principal. You want to make sure Running Start is right for you.
Step 2
Complete the Community College online admissions application. Pay a nonrefundable application fee.
Step 3
Take the complete COMPASS assessment. Photo ID is required to take the assessment. To qualify for Running Start you must have the following:
COMPASS writing score of 65 or complete Writing 91 with a minimum 2.0 grade.
and
COMPASS reading score of 80 or complete Reading 91 with a minimum 2.0 grade
Step 4
Meet with your high school counselor to complete the Running Start authorization form. (PDF)
Step 5
Bring your Running Start authorization form to the High School Programs office to receive your orientation/registration appointment.
Step 6
See instructions to register.

How to Register
When you submit your complete Running Start application file, we will invite you to a required Running Start orientation. During the orientation you will receive information about the Running Start program, campus resources, degrees, and will also register for classes.

Costs
Running Start covers tuition and lab fees up to eighteen college-level credits per quarter. Running Start is available fall, winter and spring quarters. If you want to attend summer quarter, you will need to apply to our High School Enhancement program and pay tuition and lab fees.

Student's Financial Responsibility
You will be responsible for the costs of the application fee, books, and any other applicable fees.

Running Start Book Assistance Program
If you qualify for the free or reduced lunch program through your high school, some community colleges offer a Running Start book assistance program to assist you with a portion of the textbook costs. To apply, complete the Running Start Book Assistant Application and submit it to the School Programs office.

What are the Benefits of Running Start?
• Tuition for Running Start classes is free. Students and parents can save up to two years of college tuition costs.
• Students have the opportunity to take a wide variety of classes that may not be offered at their local high school.
• Students can earn up to two years of college credit during high school to get a running start on their college education. Students can plan a program of study that will transfer to baccalaureate institutions.
• Students have an opportunity to experience college classes while in high school. This experience can be helpful in making the transition from home to college away from home and making future educational plans. Students may continue to participate in high school sports and activities.
• Academically qualified students have the opportunity to take more challenging or advanced level courses. Highly motivated, mature students may thrive in the college environment.
• A diverse college student population provides for a rich classroom-learning environment.
• Running Start students are regular college students with the same rights and responsibilities. Students may participate in college clubs, music and drama activities, intramural sports and programs and may use campus services; however, Running Start students may not participate on college sports teams and are not eligible for financial aid.
• Students have an opportunity to enroll in both academic transfer and professional technical skills classes with outstanding college faculty. Students have access to instruction using state of the art technology.

What are the Limitations of Running Start?
• Students, parents, and counselors should carefully consider the students maturity level when discussing the possibility of participating in Running Start. Some students who are academically ready may find the required independence and speed of college classes overwhelming.
• Socialization may be an issue with some students. High schools provide a social network and experiences geared toward teenagers. Full-time Running Start students may particularly feel a loss of social connection with peers.
• Transportation arrangements and costs, as well as book purchases are the responsibility of the student.
• The scheduling of college classes may conflict with high school classes or extracurricular activities.
• The college operates on the quarter system and most high schools operate on the semester system. Transition to college or back to high school winter or spring quarter may be difficult because of the difference in academic calendars. Holiday and vacation periods may also be different.
• Students may be exposed to alternative view points and material of an adult nature in college classes.
• Students are not guaranteed enrollment in classes they want. Students may encounter limitations with regard to class availability for the first quarters of enrollment and must be flexible when scheduling classes.
• Grades in college courses are recorded on the high school transcript and become a part of the student’s permanent record at the Community College. Low grades or failure to complete courses may jeopardize high school graduation, admission to another college or other future educational plans.