COIC provides an alternative high school setting for students to make up credits and return to their regular classrooms, or to earn the GED. Students may also participate in the Youth Compass Program, a work-experience program that combines classroom credits with community service and natural resource projects.

Program Introduction

The COIC approach is based on individualized instruction for credit recovery or GED. Students, primarily aged 16-21, are referred by their local high schools to make up credits and return to their regular classrooms or leave the program with the GED. COIC is recognized as one of the most successful GED programs in Oregon, with 93 GED certificates awarded during the 2025-2026 school year alone. Students may also participate in work education through our Youth Compass Program.

Programs are held in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Prineville in conjunction with the school districts of Bend-La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Culver, and Crook County. COIC also provides instruction for Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice and the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

In addition, COIC offers summer work experience, giving students the opportunity to earn minimum wages and learn valuable hands-on work skills. During the school year, students earn high school diplomas, GEDs, and high school credits that transfer to their local high schools. Typically, our students spend more than 10,000 hours working on community service and natural resource projects.

Talk to your school counselor about attending COIC or call one of our classrooms today!

Youth Compass Program

The Youth Compass Program (YCP) helps Central Oregon youth ages 16–24 discover career pathways, complete their education, and prepare for meaningful employment. Through individualized career coaching, paid work experiences, occupational skills training, career exploration, GED and high school completion support, and connections to community resources, YCP equips participants with the skills and confidence needed to achieve their goals. By partnering with local employers, schools, and community organizations, the program creates opportunities for young people to gain real-world experience, earn industry-recognized credentials, and build a successful future.

If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Compass Program or would like to explore available opportunities, please contact the Youth Employment Counselor serving your community. Our staff is ready to answer your questions and help you take the next step toward your education and career goals.

Order Your GED Transcript/Diploma

Order a copy of your GED transcript and/or GED diploma (electronic or hard copies) online from GED.com. Select the Grads and Transcripts tab on the top banner and answer the questions to verify your specific testing record.

Statewide Testing Notices

English Annual Notice for Statewide Tests - Download here

Spanish Annual Notice for Statewide Tests - Download here

English ODE State Testing Combined 30-Day Notice and Opt-Out Form - Download here

Spanish ODE State Testing Combined 30-Day Notice and Opt-Out Form - Download here

Youth Education program Contacts

Bend Classroom
For enrollment information, contact:
Katie Estvold, Teacher's Aid/ Registrar
458-231-1436| Email here

For classroom information, contact:
Patrick Jordan, Lead Teacher
541-706-1458 | Email here

La Pine Classroom
For enrollment information, contact:
Katie Estvold, Teacher's Aid/ Registrar
458-231-1436 | Email here

For classroom information, contact:
Andrew Peter, Teacher
541-316-9039 | Email here

Redmond Classroom
For program information, contact:
Dustin Gurley, Lead Teacher
541-280-0031 | Email here

COIC Skills Lab
Deschutes County Juvenile Justice
Ami Stone, Teacher
541-322-7676 | Email here

Youth Education Program General Info:
Kris Schofield, Youth Education Manager
541-213-1998 | Email here

Youth Employment & Training Contacts

Bend Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Jay Byers, Youth Employment Counselor
458-287-5575| Email here

La Pine Youth Compass Program

For program information, contact:

Nick Huggins, Youth Employment & Training Coordinator
541-280-6495 | Email here

Jefferson County Youth Compass Program

For program information, contact:
Matt Mahoney, Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here

Redmond Youth Compass Program

For program information, contact:

Matt Mahoney, Program Coordinator

541-403-0099 | Email here

Prineville Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Jeff Warren, Youth Employment Counselor
541-420-6787 | Email here

Joseph Beaton, Youth Employment Counselor
541-233-6782 | Email here

Youth Compass Program General Info:
Laurie Harrer, Youth Employment & Training Program Coordinator
561-329-7873 | Email Here

Matt Mahoney, Youth Employment & Training Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here

Klamath County Youth Compass Program

General Info:

Sean Winters, Youth Employment Counselor
541-419-11812 | Email here

COIC Student Handbook 24-25 - Download

About COIC

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council

“The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council serves the local governments of Central Oregon, providing regional collaboration, efficiencies and service delivery for a strong local economy and quality of life.”

In 1972, COIC was designated a Council of Governments organized under ORS 190. We provide services to the counties of Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson and the cities of Bend, Culver, La Pine, Madras, Metolius, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. Our offices are located throughout Central Oregon. COIC employs more than 100 people and services in the following areas: employment and training, alternative high school education, business loans, transportation, and community and economic development. The majority of the COIC Board is comprised of elected officials appointed by each of these member governments. Other “appointed” members of the Board are from private business, Post Secondary Education, and Chambers of Commerce.

Click here to view the 2016 Annual Report.

Contact us

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)

1250 NE Bear Creek Rd.
Bend, OR 97701

541-548-8163

View all locations ways to contact us.

Quick links

Board Meetings

Community & Economic Development

Employment & Education

education

COIC provides an alternative high school setting for students to make up credits and return to their regular classrooms, or to earn the GED. Students may also participate in the Youth Compass Program, a work-experience program that combines classroom credits with community service and natural resource projects.

Program Introduction

The COIC approach is based on individualized instruction for credit recovery or GED. Students, primarily aged 16-21, are referred by their local high schools to make up credits and return to their regular classrooms or leave the program with the GED. COIC is recognized as one of the most successful GED programs in Oregon, with 93 GED certificates awarded during the 2025-2026 school year alone. Students may also participate in work education through our Youth Compass Program.

Programs are held in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Prineville in conjunction with the school districts of Bend-La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Culver, and Crook County. COIC also provides instruction for Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice and the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

In addition, COIC offers summer work experience, giving students the opportunity to earn minimum wages and learn valuable hands-on work skills. During the school year, students earn high school diplomas, GEDs, and high school credits that transfer to their local high schools. Typically, our students spend more than 10,000 hours working on community service and natural resource projects.

Talk to your school counselor about attending COIC or call one of our classrooms today!

Youth Compass Program

The Youth Compass Program (YCP) helps Central Oregon youth ages 16–24 discover career pathways, complete their education, and prepare for meaningful employment. Through individualized career coaching, paid work experiences, occupational skills training, career exploration, GED and high school completion support, and connections to community resources, YCP equips participants with the skills and confidence needed to achieve their goals. By partnering with local employers, schools, and community organizations, the program creates opportunities for young people to gain real-world experience, earn industry-recognized credentials, and build a successful future.

If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Compass Program or would like to explore available opportunities, please contact the Youth Employment Counselor serving your community. Our staff is ready to answer your questions and help you take the next step toward your education and career goals.

Order Your GED Transcript/Diploma

Order a copy of your GED transcript and/or GED diploma (electronic or hard copies) online from GED.com. Select the Grads and Transcripts tab on the top banner and answer the questions to verify your specific testing record.

Statewide Testing Notices

English Annual Notice for Statewide Tests - Download here

Spanish Annual Notice for Statewide Tests - Download here

English ODE State Testing Combined 30-Day Notice and Opt-Out Form - Download here

Spanish ODE State Testing Combined 30-Day Notice and Opt-Out Form - Download here

Youth Education program Contacts

Bend Classroom
For enrollment information, contact:
Katie Estvold, Teacher's Aid/ Registrar
458-231-1436| Email here

For classroom information, contact:
Patrick Jordan, Lead Teacher
541-706-1458 | Email here

La Pine Classroom
For enrollment information, contact:
Katie Estvold, Teacher's Aid/ Registrar
458-231-1436 | Email here

For classroom information, contact:
Andrew Peter, Teacher
541-316-9039 | Email here

Redmond Classroom
For program information, contact:
Dustin Gurley, Lead Teacher
541-280-0031 | Email here

COIC Skills Lab
Deschutes County Juvenile Justice
Ami Stone, Teacher
541-322-7676 | Email here

Youth Education Program General Info:
Kris Schofield, Youth Education Manager
541-213-1998 | Email here

Youth Employment & Training Contacts

Bend Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Jay Byers, Youth Employment Counselor
458-287-5575| Email here

La Pine Youth Compass Program

For program information, contact:

Nick Huggins, Youth Employment & Training Coordinator
541-280-6495 | Email here

Jefferson County Youth Compass Program

For program information, contact:
Matt Mahoney, Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here

Redmond Youth Compass Program

For program information, contact:

Matt Mahoney, Program Coordinator

541-403-0099 | Email here

Prineville Youth Compass Program
For program information, contact:
Jeff Warren, Youth Employment Counselor
541-420-6787 | Email here

Joseph Beaton, Youth Employment Counselor
541-233-6782 | Email here

Youth Compass Program General Info:
Laurie Harrer, Youth Employment & Training Program Coordinator
561-329-7873 | Email Here

Matt Mahoney, Youth Employment & Training Program Coordinator
541-403-0099 | Email here

Klamath County Youth Compass Program

General Info:

Sean Winters, Youth Employment Counselor
541-419-11812 | Email here

COIC Student Handbook 24-25 - Download