- November 7, 2024
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The first step to completing your high school diploma is stopping by the Flagler County Public Library. Photo by Jacque Estes
Flagler County is offering the Career Online High School program to adults, 19 and older, who want to earn a career certificate and a high school diploma.
We are very excited about being able to offer this program here in Flagler County,” said Flagler County Public Library Director Holly Albanese. “We are able to do this through a partnership with Gale, part of Cengage Learning. We have 15 scholarships to offer for the year.”
Career Online High School is a private high school diploma and career certification program. It was created by the State of Florida and is administered by Smart Horizons Career Online Education.
It is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, which means that schools like Daytona State College and the University of Florida will accept a diploma from Career Online High School.
A high school diploma from an accredited school may also provide a professional benefit for those already in the workforce without one.
“This is a great program for people who have a high school certificate of completion, because they will earn an actual diploma when they finish the program,” said Flagler County Commissioner George Hanns.
It is recommended that applicants have attended ninth grade, but that is not mandatory.
“Someone would have to be pretty motivated, if they haven’t had any high school,” Albanese said. “Students are only allowed 18 months to complete the program.”
Applicants must have a Flagler County Public Library card. Those who have already earned a GED equivalency or a high school diploma do not qualify.
“It doesn’t matter where they started high school; it could have been out of state,” Albanese said. “The number of classes required to complete the program depends on how many credits transfer in to the program.”
There is an online assessment and interviews at the library as part of the admissions process. Those accepted into the program can earn one of eight career certifications including: childcare and education; certified protection officer (security); office management; certified transportation services; homeland security; general career preparation; retail customer service skills; and, food service and customer service skills.
“Students will actually complete this step before they start the high school curriculum,” Albanese said. “They will create a career portfolio and have this extra certificate to boost their resume.”
Coursework is web-based. Students are not required to purchase textbooks. Materials can be accessed from either a laptop or desktop computers. Tablets, iPads and smartphones are not supported.
“We will make special accommodations for students who need to use library computers,” Albanese said. “Tutors, called academic coaches, are available and they are state certified.”
Additionally, the Flagler County Public Library offers an online service called “Learn Now,” to help all students with their coursework.
“We are pleased to be able to provide this opportunity to our residents who would like to attend college,” said Joe Mayer, who is both the director of Community Services and Human Resources for Flagler County. “This program can help set apart those workers who are unable to attend college from other applicants.”
Additional information is available at the Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway.
