Adults without high school diplomas are among the last people who need to be reminded of the difficulties they face when seeking employment or advancement at their jobs. The link between education and employability proves the value of a high school education. For those who already did drop out, sometimes years or even decades ago, going back to school can be difficult with the requirements to maintain a job, a family, a home, and the other basic needs for happiness.
There are many more opportunities for those 21 and under, but for adults above that threshold, there are fewer options. What the Pima County Public Library offers such people is an opportunity to finish high school, either through GED classes or through two online high school options. Keep reading to learn more about your options.
Earn Your GED
The GED classes offered at two branches, Miller-Golf Links Branch for English and Quincie Douglas Branch for Spanish, involve training for testing in the four GED subject areas, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Once a student is able, they can take the test in one to four of those subjects. The classes are self-paced and designed for the GED test. GED classes work best for those able to attend with regularity, are or become good at taking tests, and are motivated to finish.
Earn Your Diploma
The online high schools, Career Online High School and the newer option of Excel Online High School, also require motivation on the part of the student. There is also a technological component as the schools are online. They work best for those with stable internet and computer access, an ability to log in to work on a regular basis. Both options feature a more traditional high school arrangement with credit units rather than a single test for each subject. That can be a great advantage for those who have some high school credits, as well as those who are not as comfortable taking one test to pass an entire subject area. Another benefit is that as these are both online, class materials can be worked on day or night, 7 days a week.
Career Online High School
Career Online High School (COHS) has an 18-month accredited high school diploma program and also offers a career certificate in one of ten possible subject areas. These include security, home healthcare, child development, office management, or a general career preparation course. COHS is available to Pima County residents 22 and older, has had 160 graduates through Pima County Public Library since our involvement started in 2017, and has a great support system for learners.
Excel Online High School
Excel Online High School is part of the offerings of Gale, a company with many trusted library links for educational resources. This program allows a student 24 months to get an accredited high school diploma, is available to any Arizona resident 21 years and older, and like COHS also offers academic and tech support.
Who Pays for These?
Excel’s program is paid for by the State of Arizona Department of Education while COHS scholarships are paid for by the Friends of the Pima County Public Library and the Pima Library Foundation. GED testing is done at offsite testing centers - there are often scholarship opportunities available on an annual basis (See Pima Community College's Scholarship and Soroptomist International's Scholarship)
Want to join an Online Diploma Program but don't have a computer or wi-fi?
Submit a request to borrow a Google Chromebook (laptop) and/or hotspot using our online form.
Pima County Public Library is proud to help students as well as returning students of all ages to achieve their educational and career goals, and these three options are just three of many ways we work together to make Pima County a better place to live, learn, and dream.
