About Running Start   

Welcome to the Running Start program at South Seattle Community College! Running Start is an exciting option that allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to enroll tuition free in college courses. It also offers students the opportunity to take college courses as part of their high school program, earning both high school and college credit for courses taken. Credits earned at South Seattle Community College are transferable to most 4-year colleges and universities. 

Running Start allows students to transition into faster-paced, challenging college classes while providing a supportive, small class setting as well as a broad variety of academic resources. The college environment also allows you to take classes with students from different generations, backgrounds and life experiences.

Running Start students may take classes in fall, winter and spring quarters only. You must have permission from your high school counselor if you want to take classes in the summer.  You are responsible for any tuition and fees.

At the end of each quarter, your grades will be sent to your high school. They will be placed on the high school transcript and calculated into your grade point average. The students' grades also become a part of your permanent college transcript.

Home-schooled or private-schooled students are also eligible for Running Start.  They must register at one of the local public high schools, take the COMPASS test, and complete a Pre-Enrollment form with a local high school counselor, then make an appointment to see the South Seattle Community College Running Start advisor -- the same process all Running Start students follow.

The Running Start office is located in the Robert Smith Building, the same building that Registration is in. Parking is available in the visitor’s lot.  

How to get to South Seattle Community College:  http://www.southseattle.edu/campus/map.htm

Who Should Consider Running Start?
Students who are ready for college-level work and are motivated to take classes that apply toward both high school graduation and a college degree should look into Running Start. High school students who anticipate going to a 4-year university or college and want to get a head start by completing an AA while still in high school would also be great candidates for this program. Students seeking academic challenges not available at their high school should also consider Running Start.

What Does It Cost?
Almost nothing!!  Tuition is waived for college-level courses.  College-level courses numbered 100 and above are available tuition free.  If you want to take classes numbered below 100, the student is responsible for tuition.  If courses are taken at only one community college, the total number of credits allowed each quarter is 18. If you take classes at more than one community college, the total number of allowed credits is 15.  For example, ten credits at South Seattle Community College and five at Seattle Central Community College, equaling fifteen credits total.  

Students are also responsible for books and supplies. If you take three college level courses, your books can cost from $150-$300, depending on the courses you choose to take.  Students who qualify for reduced or free lunches at their high school can participate in the Book Loan Program and check out books for the quarter.  If you think you qualify for this program, please stop at the Running Start desk located in the Registration office.

Other fees students pay for include Distance Education fees, lab fees, any Student Self-Assessed fees, supplies, transportation, parking and a $5.00 Student ID card fee. 

General College Information
If you have further questions, please call the Running Start office at (206)768-6478. Running Start students who attend SSCC are considered "regular" students. Instructors will expect the same level of classroom participation and quality of work from you as they expect for any student.

Student Responsibility
Students will be expected to attend classes they register for, meet all class deadlines, be prepared for class, ask questions and conduct themselves as responsible adults. Students, who are having difficulty in a class or want additional information, should schedule an appointment to speak with the instructor during their office hours. This is the student's responsibility, not the parent's. Students are also responsible for completing class drop forms,

Access to Student Records
Without written permission of the student, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) forbids discussion of student progress with anyone other than the student and/or high school counselor. For more information see our district Student Right-to-Know / Rules and infomation web page.

Attendance
Students will be expected to attend class every day. Some faculty may not take attendance, but may give a "pop quiz" counting toward a final grade. Students need to be prepared for class and seek help early should a problem arise. It is important to read the course syllabus. Instructors have the option of dropping a student from a class if they fail to attend one or more sessions during the first week of the quarter. But if you do not attend and want to drop a class, you must see Virginia Sullivan. Anytime you choose to drop a class, she must sign the drop form.  Parents will not be contacted if their son/daughter does not attend class. 

Class Pace
In college, classes are taught at a much faster pace than they are in high school.  For instance, a high school math class which is usually taught in one year at the high school, is taught within ten weeks at the college. If you do not understand the material being presented in the class, or were absent, see the instructor during their office hours. This information is usually found in the course syllabus.

Homework
College classes typically require at least two hours of homework for each hour of class. A five-credit class will have about ten hours of homework each week. Students taking a five-credit class should budget at least fifteen hours for both class and homework time. Sometimes study groups are encouraged by the instructor. If you feel like this would kind of group would be advantageous, talk to the instructor and start one yourself! Students have access to study rooms in the library so you could schedule a regular time to meet. Tutors are available at the Tutor Center as well as help from the Writing Center and the Math and Science Tutoring center or MAST program. 

Class Participation
This is an important part of college and most faculty require students to participate in class discussions. Students at South Seattle Community College can range from 15 to 80 years old, and students should expect a variety of opinions, philosophies and adult topics.

School Calendar
Students must be aware of the college calendar. The college calendar is different that the high school schedule, even if your high school is on break, you are still responsible for attending classes at the college.  For instance, the high school spring break will not be at the same time as the college break.  You must still attend your college classes.

Grade Reports
Grades are not mailed to the student although at the end of spring quarter we mail you an unofficial transcript. Grades are available online at the Student Online Services page.  High schools will be mailed grade reports each quarter for Running Start students, South Seattle Community College grades are calculated into your high school GPA and a permanent record on both your high school and community college record.

Running Start Academic Probation/Suspension Policy

Low Scholarship Probation
Running Start students will be placed on academic probation if they earn below a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, regardless of the number of credits attempted or earned. These grades are not considered satisfactory progress and students will receive written notification that academic progress must be improved if they are to stay in the program. Students will also be required to make an appointment with Virginia Sullivan, the Running Start Director, to discuss their progress. Running Start students placed on academic probation will remain at this status until their cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher. Students place on academic probation may be limited in the number of classes they may take the following quarter.

Continued Probation and Dismissal
Students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for two consecutive quarters or who do not achieve a minimum 2.0 quarterly GPA the second quarter are at risk of being dismissed from the program. Students must meet again with Virginia Sullivan to discuss their particular needs. Students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for a third consecutive quarter or who did not receive at least a 2.0 the third quarter are suspended for one year.