Youth High School Completion F&Q

Under the Center for High School Programs department, the CEO Program offers a CEO Youth High School Completion pathway. This program is for at-risk youth ages 16-21 years old. Please refer to the CEO Program eligibility website for details.

Students can complete college classes for a high school diploma that meets the minimum graduation requirements for the State of Washington. The diploma is granted by Bellevue College and is recognized just like a diploma issued by any accredited, (official), high school in Washington.

1. Contact any high schools you have attended and request an official, sealed copy of your transcripts (the records of the classes you took and your grades). All high schools in the United States are required by Federal Law to keep your transcripts on file for 75 years. Once you have the transcripts in hand, then…
2. Complete the CEO Intent Form, which is an online application to inform the CEO Program you wish to join.
3. Turn in your official high school transcript/s to the Center for High School Programs Office.
4. Request an appointment with one of our High School Completion CEO Specialist at ceo@bellevuecollege.edu.
5. Fully complete the “Youth High School Completion Program Paperwork”.

Classes completed in grades nine through twelve from a U.S. public or private school may count toward the credits needed for a high school diploma. State test results and a High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) are required if you would have graduated in the class of 2008 or after and are under the age of 21. When you request your transcripts, be sure to ask for your transcripts to include results from those tests (example: HSPE/EOC or Smarter Balance for Washington State Students) and your High School and Beyond Plan. If you are under the age of 21, you should ask to make sure all state tests are listed on your transcript, along with the High School and Beyond Plan. If they are not, ask the high school to include those test results and a copy of your HSBP when you receive your transcripts. If you have completed a Washington State History class any time from grade seven to twelve, ask to make sure your transcript shows that completion.

The CEO Youth High School Completion Program at Bellevue College follows the minimum requirements for obtaining your diploma set by The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

• Earn college credits to meet Washington state high school graduation requirements
  • 5-6 college credits = 1.0 high school credit
  • 3 college credits = 0.5 high school credit
• Number of credits required is set by state law and are dependent on your graduation class year.
• If you are under the age of 21, you will also be required to complete any state testing requirements and the High School and Beyond Plan. Talk with your CEO Specialist to discuss college classes replacing state testing requirements.

Credits and requirements vary by graduating class year. A CEO Specialist will discuss this with you at your first appointment.

During your attendance in CEO Youth High School Completion Program, you will be required to meet with your CEO Specialist for a minimum of two hours per month. During these meetings, you and your CEO Specialist will work together on your college and career pathways, your quarterly education plan so that you will know exactly how long it will take you to earn your diploma.

During your final quarter in the CEO Youth High School Completion Program, you will work with your case manager to complete a diploma application. At that meeting, you and your CEO Specialist will review all classes you have taken to ensure that you have fulfilled all requirements to graduate.

No, if you are between 16-21 years old and live in an approved school district, you are eligible for the CEO Youth High School Completion Program. Students must be 16 years old by September 1st to join during the academic year. Students who turn 21 one by September 1st will be ineligible, but if they turn 21 years old on September 2nd or later then they can join during that academic year. No exceptions.

Visit the CEO Program’s main website here: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ceo/.

Visit the CEO Program’s eligibility page here: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ceo/future/eligibility/.

If you are at least 18 years or older, you are eligible to join the High School+, also known as HS+. The HS+ program helps adults of any age work towards a high school diploma from Bellevue College.

Visit the High School+ main website here: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/bats/highschoolplus/.

Be sure to read the information about each of these programs and make an appointment to talk to one of our High School Completion Advisors to decide which one is best for you.

That’s part of what you’ll decide when you meet with a CEO Youth High School Completion CEO Specialist. They will evaluate your transcript

It depends on how many credits you have already earned at your previous high school/s as well as what class year you would have been. We cannot tell you for sure until you come in, speak with the designated CEO Specialist, and have your high school transcripts evaluated. For example, if you completed 9th grade, it may take about five to six quarters to finish your high school diploma. If you completed 10th or 11th grade, it could take three to five quarters, and if you completed most of 12th grade, you might be able to finish in one or two quarters.

If you qualify for the High School+ program, the amount of time it will take for you to earn your diploma will depend on how well you can show proof of competency in the subject areas required. High School+ students must also meet the Washington State History requirement.

That’s part of what you’ll decide when you meet with a CEO Youth High School Completion CEO Specialist. They will evaluate your transcripts, help you decide which program is right for you, and determine which classes you will need to complete your diploma.

You might take classes that apply toward your high school diploma and college classes at the same time! For example, if you take computer classes, some of them may apply towards the math, science, or elective requirements for a high school diploma and towards an Electronics degree. Another example: if you need a United States History credit, you can take one of the college level U.S. History class that would count toward both your High School Diploma and your college degree as well.

There is no right answer to this question. Things to consider when making that choice are your academic skills, how much time you have to complete a high school diploma or a GED, and what your goals are in life. Either option can be the right one. This is a good question to discuss with a High School Completion CEO Specialist.

Please know that the CEO Program requires entrance testing as a state law requirement. Students must be administered a standardized reading and a writing test either within six months prior joining or within one month of starting the program, no exceptions.

Bellevue College’s Testing Center now provides self-assessment as a tool and not a test. The CEO Program will need to administer a GED practice test in Language Arts to fulfill state law requirements. We may seek out math testing through this service or seek out math placement testing at Bellevue College. For students joining the CEO Program, do not seek out placement testing without connecting with designated CEO staff.

Once you’ve started the application process, the CEO Program will connect with you with further details.

In general, it is good to finish the program you start so you don’t have to go through a second evaluation process. If you qualify for and start in the HS+ program, you will need to finish in that program.

No, you don’t need to be a citizen. However, if you are in the United States with an F, M, H, J, L, TD, TN or B visa, you need to contact the International Student Services office at 425-564-3185 for information about admissions to Bellevue College.

Find more information for high school completion for international students here: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/international/.