Running Start is a program that allows eligible students to complete their 11th and 12th-grade coursework at Rock Valley College as full-time students during both the fall and spring semesters, earning both their high school diploma and an Associate degree simultaneously.  Additionally, there is a one-year option where students can complete only their 12th-grade year at Rock Valley College and get a head start on earning college credits. 

Eligibility for Running Start

To apply for Running Start, students must:

• Be enrolled in a District 100 school.

• Be on track for graduation.

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Earn grades of B or higher in the following courses:

  • English 9 and English 10

  • Geometry

  • Chemistry

  • High School Algebra

• Complete Consumer Education during their sophomore year if they intend to participate in the two-year Running Start program.

Notification and Application Process

• Sophomore and Junior Students meeting GPA and grade requirements (or currently enrolled in the required courses) will:

  • Receive a letter and an email (sent to their District 100 account) outlining deadlines to submit required forms in October of the fall semester.

• Students who meet initial deadlines will:

  • Be invited to take the Accuplacer Placement Test, offered in partnership with Rock Valley College.

Acceptance Process

• Students who meet the required placement scores in Math, English, and Reading will receive a Running Start acceptance packet in late January or early February.

Accuplacer Score Requirements

• English: 250

• Advanced Algebra & Functions (AAF): 250

• Updated Math Placement Option:

  • Students scoring 220-239 on the AAF can now place into MTH 120P: College Algebra with Support.

  • MTH 120P includes additional in-class support and professor assistance.

Optional Math Retesting

• Students enrolled in Algebra II (or higher) during their initial placement testing and who score 220-239 on the AAF can:

  • Retest once for a higher placement.

  • Retesting must occur between April 1st and May 9th at RVC’s main campus.

  • This opportunity allows students to test into higher-level math courses like Calculus or test out of MTH 120P.

Tuition Responsibilities:

The Belvidere School District covers the cost of tuition and fees for Running Start participants. However:

• Students are responsible for:

  • Textbooks and course materials.

  • Transportation to and from Rock Valley College.

  • Tuition and fees for courses they withdraw from, fail, or retake. 

General Timeline for Running Start Participation:

September

• Student transcripts are reviewed to determine initial eligibility.

• Students must be enrolled in District 100 by this time to participate in the program the following academic year.

October

• Letters are mailed, and emails are sent to eligible students.

• Students receive forms that must be completed and returned by the specified deadline.

• Students completing forms are invited to take the Accuplacer Placement Test.

January

• Accepted students receive their Running Start Acceptance Packet. 

February

• Students choose to accept or decline placement in the program.

• Accepted students return required forms to Rock Valley College’s Early College department.

March

• Students receive their class schedules for the fall semester at Rock Valley College.

April - May

• Optional Math Retesting occurs for eligible students at RVC’s main campus.

Homeschool Students & Running Start

Homeschool students are eligible to participate in the Running Start program by following these steps:

1. Contact the High School Counselor:

   • Arrange a meeting with a District 100 high school counselor to discuss eligibility and requirements before September 1st of their sophomore year.

2. Provide Evidence of Course Completion:

   • Submit evidence of completion for the required Running Start courses with a grade of B or better (English 9 and 10, Geometry, Chemistry, and Algebra).

   • Evidence must be from an accredited institution or program.

   • If the coursework was completed through a non-accredited program, students must go through the Proficiency Credit process, which includes exams to demonstrate mastery in each required subject.

   • This process must be completed by the end of September.

3. Take the Accuplacer Exam:

   • Once course requirements are verified, students can take the Accuplacer Placement Test following the timeline above for D100 students.

4. Register with District 100 if Accepted:

   • Homeschooled students who are accepted into the Running Start program must register with District 100 as a student.

   • Upon graduation, they will earn a District 100 diploma.

Important Notes:

• All grades earned through the homeschool program will be entered onto the transcript by the counselor at the time of registration.

• Grades from non-accredited programs will require proficiency exams for verification before they are included on the transcript.