Adult Basic Education, I-BEST, High School Options
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Enroll in reading, writing or pre-algebra math courses to improve your college readiness skills or prepare for employment.
High School+ (Adult High School)
If you’re an adult without a diploma, and you’d like to take your career to the next level, then this program might be the right one for you. High School+ is an ability-based program that considers a combination of life experiences and previous high school credits and helps guide you toward earning your diploma.
GED Test Preparation
Enroll in math, science, social studies and literacy courses to prepare for GED testing. Free GED practice testing is available to enrolled students.
Integrated Basic Education Skills Training (I-BEST)/HS+
Earn your high school diploma and work towards your college degree at the same time in one of our I-BEST supported programs:
Running Start
Most of the career education programs at Bates Technical College are state approved Running Start courses. The Running Start program allows academically qualified high school juniors and seniors to register in career education programs at Bates to earn credit toward a high school diploma and an Associate in Applied Science degree or a certificate concurrently. Eligibility is determined by your local high school counselor. Approved college courses are tuition free, and all other fees are waived including books, tools, supplies, lab fees, etc. (subject to change).
Running Start students may also complete college-level general education courses required by their high school at Bates. Interested students must obtain permission from their current school district to register in Running Start at Bates.
To Register for Running Start
Contact the Bates high school office at 253.680.7004 to arrange a meeting with a high school counselor to learn more about registration requirements. After meeting with your local high school counselor to determine eligibility for the program you can complete the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF), provide a current transcript, and complete the Bates Technical College Running Start application materials.
Once a student has completed the admissions process, they will meet with a counselor and complete an education plan to register and begin classes.
Technical High School
Bates Technical High School provides an opportunity for high school students (aged 16-21) to pursue career training in about 40 programs earning their high school diploma and an Associate of Applied Science degree. Individual graduation plans will vary depending on a student’s choice of program, availability and commitment to the coursework.
There are no tuition or lab fees for Technical High School students. In addition, we provide textbooks, tools, supplies, and laptops for students learning in both classroom settings and hands-on learning environments.
To Register for Technical High School
Students can begin the registration process by attending a Technical High School orientation session or schedule an individualized appointment with a high school counselor by contacting the high school office at 253.680.7004. The student will then need to complete the application packet, which includes a release from their local high school, an official transcript from your previous high school(s) and a parental release form for minors.
Once all paperwork is complete and the student is admitted they and/or their parents or guardian will meet with a counselor and complete an education plan based on their chosen program and previous transcript; once the education plan is in place, students may be enrolled in classes. Students will be provided with a checklist of things to complete before classes begin. This includes any online account activation information, bus or parking pass, supplies needed for coursework, etc. Enrolled students will meet quarterly with their high school counselor to ensure they are following their education plan to stay on track with their courses. Visit www.Batestech.edu/HighSchool for more information.
Technical High School Graduation Requirements
- Earn at least 24 high school credits, including:
- English: 4 credits
- Mathematics: 3 credits
- Science: 3 credits
- Social Studies: 3 credits
- Art: 2 credits (1 Art credit may be replaced with Career Pathways requirements)
- Occupational Education: 1 credit
- Health and Fitness: 2 credits
*NOTE: If a student chooses to pursue a program that culminates in an associate degree (AA, AAS, AAS-T), the student may disregard all high school requirements and concentrate solely on the career pathway. Once the associate degree is earned, the student automatically earns their high school diploma.
Complete a culminating project and High School and Beyond Plan. Your high school counselor will help you plan each step to complete your high school graduation requirements.
Pass State Tests or State-approved alternative.
Students must earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA), by passing the reading and writing High School Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) and an End-of-Course (EOC) mathematics exam, or an approved alternative for each area.
Approved alternatives at Bates Technical High School include successful completion of our college transition courses: English 090 or 091, and Math 096 or 098.