Courtesy of St. Louis County Library
Adult St. Louisans now have the opportunity for a second chance at high school.
St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library are teaming up to offer online high school to residents over the age of 25. With the program, Career Online High School, admitted students will be assigned an "academic coach" to help guide them through their work and develop a career plan. Students are given 18 months to complete the program.
"Lots of people talk about going back to school when they're talking about college, but it's really hard for an adult to go back to high school," says county library director Kristen Sorth. "This provides an opportunity for them to get a high school diploma for free."
The county library will provide 57 scholarships for the program to county residents. The scholarships are funded through earnings from next weekend's Jon Hamm event—which sold out in five minutes earlier this summer—and other private fundraising. St. Louis Public Library is fundraising separately to pay for 31 scholarships for city residents.
According to statistics from the county library, more than 56,000 adults over the age of 25 in St. Louis County don't have a high school diploma. In the city, more than 38,000 lack one. Some colleges and other institutions require a high school diploma over a GED.
Along with a high school diploma, Career Online High School, which is a fully accredited online high school, will also provide students with a career certification program in such areas as childcare, office management, homeland security, and food and hospitality.
"It allows them to apply for additional jobs or to get higher-level positions at their current place of work," Sorth says.
This program has been in the works with St. Louis libraries since last fall. The county library was approached by Gale, an educational company that brings this program to libraries around the country.
"We were really excited about not only offering the program to the residents of the region, but also to partner with St. Louis Public Library and do a regional effort that can make our community stronger and provide educational opportunities for adults," Sorth says.
Career Online High School will launch in St. Louis this October. Those who wish to apply must complete an online self-assessment. More information can be found on the St. Louis County Library website.
