Frequently Asked Questions

To start classes, you must attend an orientation session. During orientation, you will learn about the program, complete paperwork, take an assessment test and receive a class assignment. Orientation takes about four hours. When you leave orientation, you will know your class location and instructor. Register now for an orientation. 

Ohio Options classes are held at multiple Tri-C campuses and other sites around Cuyahoga County. We offer a variety of day and evening classes. Check out our class locations: Academic (High School Equivalency) or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

We offer a variety of class times in order to meet our students’ needs and schedules. When you go to orientation, you will have the opportunity to pick from several different classes. 

You can stay in class until your needs have been met. Some students have been regularly attending our classes for years. Everyone progresses at different levels. 

Of course! We provide services to high school graduates who need additional skills (or want to improve existing skills) before enrolling in college. Students 16 and older that have skills below a 12th grade level are eligible for Ohio Options classes. 

Transfers are allowed on a case-by-case basis. Talk to your instructor about transferring to another class.

You must be at least 16 years old and not enrolled in school. If you are between 16 and 18, you must provide us with an official withdrawal form from your school district or a high school diploma. Review age requirements for the Official GED® test on the Ohio Department of Education website.

Western Campus: 216-987-5693 

Metro Campus : 216-987-3029   

Eastern Campus: 216-987-2135 

Lakewood: 216-529-4240 

Euclid: 216-732-2742  

Cleveland Heights: 216-371-7138 

It depends on how long you have been away from classes. If you have been absent for less than three months, you can re-enter the same classes. If you have not attended classes for more than three months, you will have to complete the orientation process again before you can re-enter classes. 

We can help you register on a computer or your phone at one of our offices.  

Western Campus 
Western Student Services 
Room G220C 
11000 West Pleasant Valley Road 
Parma, OH 44115 
216-987-5693 

Metro Campus 
Manufacturing Technology Center
Room 133 
2415 Woodland Ave. 
Cleveland, OH 44115 
216-987-3029 

Eastern Campus 
East Student Services Building 
Room 1203 
4250 Richmond Road 
Highland Hills, OH 44122 
216-987-2135 

Lakewood 
Taft Center for Innovation
13701 Lake Ave. 
Lakewood, OH 44107 
216-529-4240 

Cleveland Heights 
Delisle Options Center 
14780 Superior Road ― Door 9 
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 
216-371-7138 

Euclid 
Memorial Options Center 
22800 Fox Ave. 
Euclid, OH 44123 
216-732-2742 

Your best option is to register for another orientation at the same site or another site that is close to you. 

We usually accept walk-ins based on location. However, we do have the right to turn away walk-ins if there are too many students in the space. 

Bring your driver's license, state ID or passport. We will provide pens and pencils. You may want to bring water and a snack (if the site allows food and drink). You may also want to bring your social security card if you do not remember your number. 

In most cases, no. You will be given a list of classes to choose from at the end of orientation. However, some of our orientations require you to attend classes at that site. You will find that these special orientations have a note beside them on our registration page, so pay attention when you pick your orientation. 

The assessment test results are used to place students in the appropriate class and measure improvement in the classroom. Don’t worry about achieving a certain score ― we only use the assessments to help you learn.

If you are between 16 and 18 years old (and have an official withdrawal form from your school district), your parent or guardian must sign an age waiver. This can be done at orientation. 

If you speak little English, you may bring someone to translate for you during the registration portion of orientation. 

Note that parents and family members may be asked to wait outside the room during the assessment portion of orientation. 

Children are not allowed in orientation or classes as they may disrupt the learning process. Our program does not provide childcare. Arrange for childcare before you attend orientation and class.

This program helps non-native English speakers or English as a Second Language (ESL) scholars improve reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in English. 

The Transition Specialists in Ohio Options program are not immigration experts, but they can refer you to resources in the community that can assist you with questions regarding your immigration status.

Yes, and every situation is different. Our Transition Specialists can guide you in the process of getting your skills, certifications or diplomas transferred to the U.S. 

A Transition Specialist is a professional staff member who advocates for the ESL and ABE scholars. The Transition Specialist helps guide and support the ESL learners with needs outside the classroom ― such as connecting the scholars with community resources like housing, food, healthcare, job placement, place of worship, etc.

It depends on your immigration status. To qualify, you must meet one of the following immigration conditions:

• Eligible non-citizens include U.S. Permanent Residents with a Form I-551, I-51 or I 551-C (Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card), also known as a green card. 
• You must have a Form I-94 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) arrival-departure record showing "Refugee," "Asylum Granted" or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant." 
• You must be a parolee who has been paroled for at least one year. Parolees must show evidence that they are in the U.S. for more than the purpose of becoming a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. 
• You or a parent must hold a "T" nonimmigrant status (T-Visa). 
• You must be a “battered immigrant-qualified alien” who is the victim of abuse by a citizen or permanent resident spouse.

It depends on the scholar or learner. Becoming fluent in a language is an ongoing process. It depends on the scholar's motivation and the sacrifices they are willing to make to learn the language. Learning a new language takes a lot of time and patience.

Make sure you attend all your classes, do your homework, practice speaking English in your spare time, ask for help and feedback from your teachers and connect and interact with native English speakers. 

This is ultimately up to the orientation clerk and instructor’s discretion. We would highly recommend being early for orientation and class to not disturb other students and for your own benefit. However, we do understand that “life happens," and if you are a few minutes late, you may be allowed in. 

No, all students receiving financial aid must have a high school or HSE diploma.  

Yes, we provide services for students through Tri-C Student Accessibility Services.

For more information, contact: 

• Eastern Campus: 216-987-2052
• Metro Campus: 216-987-4290
• Western Campus: 216-987-5079
• Email: cccsas@tri-c.edu