About the Rural CTE Cooperative

The SW WA Rural CTE Cooperative is a transformative initiative designed to ensure that students in rural communities have access to high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. By bridging gaps in funding, staffing, and course availability, we provide students with industry-aligned skills, dual-credit opportunities, and career pathways that prepare them for future success.

Since launching in 2023, the Cooperative has expanded its offerings from a single Computer Science and Careers in Education course to six 1.0-credit courses selected specifically for alignment to labor market forecasts and for the feasibility of teaching content virtually. We are poised to launch the 2025-26 school year with Cascadia Technical Academy as our Enrollment and Reporting Partner with 6 CTE graduation pathways.

The SW WA Rural CTE Cooperative is generously supported with funding through the Les and Sheri Biller Family Foundation.

Additional partners include: Computing for All, Washington Association for Community Health, and Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA.

CTE Graduation Pathways

Our graduation pathways currently include:

Rural CTE Cooperative Benefits

The SW WA Rural CTE Cooperative is committed to breaking down barriers, expanding access, and preparing students for lifelong success.

Unique & Essential

We ensure rural schools have access to high-quality CTE programs, even when resources are limited. Our courses are led by highly qualified, Washington-certified teachers—many with extensive industry experience in their fields.

Industry-Aligned & Dual Credit Eligible

Developed with employer guidance, our courses align with workforce standards and provide dual credit for high school and college. ESD 112 supports counselors and students in navigating dual credit transcription with partner colleges and universities.

Community-Driven & Responsive

We tailor our course offerings to meet the needs of students, school districts, and local employers. We ensure that courses lead to either an industry-recognized credential or dual credit (though some have both), accelerating students’ postsecondary transition to college or careers.

Career Exploration Before Graduation

Our programs help students explore their interests and career paths before graduation. Each career pathway includes a postsecondary next step for further education and often leads to an Industry-Recognized Credential—opening doors to the workforce, higher education, or both.

Supporting Local Economies

By equipping students with work-ready skills, we help retain local talent within their communities and strengthen regional workforces.

Partnering with Rural Districts

With enrollment more important than ever, our model supports small schools by fostering collaboration instead of competition. Through this partnership, students gain access to courses beyond what their local school provides, broadening their academic choices.

Rural CTE Courses

Our courses go beyond basic online learning with interactive, real-time instruction from highly qualified teachers with industry experience. Students engage in career exploration, gain hands-on experience, and have the opportunity to participate in a Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO), enriching their learning experience.

2025-2026 Calendar & Schedules

2025-2026 School Year Calendar

2025-2026 Bell Schedule

We have worked with our partner districts to coordinate bell schedules that will work best for the entire cooperative. Classes occur during normal school hours, integrated into a student’s normal learning schedule.

How to Register

We are currently pre-registering students for the 2025-2026 school year. Follow these steps to enroll in a Rural CTE Cooperative course:

Step 1: Complete the Pre-Enrollment Form

Students or counselors start the process by filling out the Pre-Enrollment Google Form. Student/Counselor must be signed in with a school email to complete this form. Simply select the desired course(s) and provide the required information.

Step 2: School Notification & Approval

We will coordinate with the student’s school to ensure they meet the course enrollment requirements.

Step 3: Cascadia Technical Academy enrollment

We will guide the student/family through the Cascadia Technical Academy enrollment process and work with their school to finalize the student’s registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us for enrollment help.

Who to Contact