CECO FAQ

CECO is a great option for students who are between the ages of 16–21, do not have a high school diploma, are behind on credits, at risk of dropping out, or have already left high school—and are looking for a fresh start in a more flexible, supportive environment. CECO offers personalized guidance and resources to help you earn your GED, high school diploma, professional-technical certificate, or associate degree, all while building the skills and confidence needed to reach your future goals.

1. Attend a CECO Information Session – View the schedule and sign up here.
2. Complete the CECO Enrollment Packet – You'll also need to submit an official withdrawal form and your current high school transcript.
3. Take the Placement Assessment – This helps us determine your best starting point in the program.
4. Meet with Your Case Manager – You'll schedule a one-on-one intake appointment to finalize your enrollment and create a personalized plan.

To join the CECO Program, students must be 16 years old by September 1 of the academic year, which begins in the fall (WAC 392-700-035). If you turn 16 after September 1, you’ll need to wait until the next school year to join. Students age out of CECO once they turn 21. If your birthday falls before September, you age out on September 1. If your birthday is after September, you are eligible for the program for the next academic year.

Students aged 21 and over are no longer eligible for the CECO program. However, you can still pursue your high school diploma or GED through Shoreline’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) Program.

Yes! Students with a GED are welcome to join the CECO program. You'll need to attend an info session and complete the enrollment paperwork, and will start directly in CECO 101, our college-level program.

At CECO, the typical pathway is for students to work toward an Associate of Arts (AA) degree while completing high school requirements, earning both their AA and high school diploma at graduation. This pathway allows students to stay enrolled and continue receiving CECO support.
If you only want to earn a high school diploma without college coursework, Shoreline’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) Program may be a better fit.

Students with refugee or asylee status may be eligible. However, students with F-1 visas are not eligible for enrollment. Eligibility for other Visa types will be determined on a case-by-case basis; however, enrollment in programs like CECO could jeopardize Visa status based on individual Visa guidelines and/or under the Public Charge rule.

Yes! CECO partners with Shoreline’s ESL Program to support English language learners. As a CECO student, you can enroll in ESL classes through the Transitional Studies program and receive support from both CECO and Transitional Studies staff.  Shoreline’s ESL program offers 7 levels of classes, from beginner to advanced. Once you reach ESL-Level 5 and up, you can start CECO classes.

Students in the CECO program can complete any of the certificates or degrees (Professional/Technical or Transfer) offered at Shoreline Community College. Those options can be found on the SCC website. A student can complete a certificate and still be eligible for our program should they wish to complete an associate’s degree at Shoreline. 

The CECO Secondary (GED) program has rolling admission, so you can start at any time during the year. You'll need to attend at least 8 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The schedule is self-paced, so you can choose the days and times that work best for you. 

The CECO Post-Secondary (college) program follows Shoreline CC’s quarterly schedule, so you’ll begin at the start of a college term, and your meeting days, time and location is determined by the college.

Timeline for GED completion is dependent on skill level at time of enrollment and amount of time spent in the classroom, working on course material. It can take a student anywhere from 3 months to one year to complete the four required tests for their GED certificate. Want to finish faster? Come to the classroom every day!