Ventura County Library Career Online High School

Program Overview

COHS is a fully accredited high school diploma program for adults age 19 and above who reside in Ventura County. The curriculum is delivered entirely online. All electives are taken in a career area. Upon completion, graduates receive a high school diploma along with a career certificate in their chosen fields. Limited spaces are available and enrollees must qualify. See www.vencolibrary.org/cohs for details.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

With Library's Support, 52-year-old Mom of Four Overcomes Obstacles to Finally Earn Her High School Diploma

Ventura County Public Library's Career Online High School program helps adult student improve her family's life

Tammy always wanted to earn her high school diploma, but she was worried that reaching her fifties meant it was too late to achieve this educational milestone. Early motherhood caused her to drop out of high school in her teens, but Tammy knew that was no excuse to stop her education, especially since her family had grown by three more boys since then. Once her eldest son reached the age of 20, Tammy was motivated to consider non-traditional options so she could be a role model for her children.

Several years later when she learned that Ventura County Library offered Career Online High School to residents 19-years-old and older, Tammy knew this was the way to pick up where she left off. The accredited program enables students to earn their high school diploma — not a GED — while gaining real-world career skills along with a career certificate, all in 18 months or less. All that residents have to do to enter the program is complete a 15-question online self-assessment, participate via an in-person interview and then pass a 2-week pre-requisite course with a grade of 70% of higher.

"While there are many excellent adult education options in our county, there's nothing like Career Online High School," shared Judy Perkins, the library's Career Online High School Coordinator. "This flexible program was designed specifically for the many adults whose work or home situations make regular classroom visits impossible."

According to Library Director Nancy Schram, Tammy is representative of many of the students who benefit from Ventura County's Career Online High School program. While other libraries across the country have reported an average age of 32 for their students, most of the county's graduates are in their 30s – 50s."Each of the adult learners who we've had the privilege of educating has juggled numerous home and work responsibilities while earning their diploma through this innovative program," shared Schram. "Career Online High School is a perfect example of how libraries can improve the lives of patrons of all ages and all backgrounds."

The program's flexibility was a key advantage for Tammy, who signed on to the online learning platform to access course materials on her time.She participated in bi-weekly 21st century skills seminars and monthly career webinars from wherever was most convenient for her day or night. She also benefited greatly from the program's emphasis on offering each student a support network. Career Online High School students are assigned personal academic coaches who help them navigate the online learning environment and also connect them to additional instructional support, as needed. "My academic coach was amazing," shared Tammy. "It was great to have someone who always checked in on me. The extra encouragement was very valuable because I was a single parent operating a full-time daycare while also completing high school courses."

While Career Online High School programs provide students the opportunity to earn a certificate in one of ten career fields, Ventura County Library's program has taken its career focus one step further. The library has partnered with Ventura Adult & Continuing Education (VACE) to offer Career Online High School graduates a scholarship that allows them to enroll in advanced career training at little or no cost. According to Perkins, "Career Online High School's emphasis on preparing students for entry into employment, combined with the additional career training that we're able to offer thanks to VACE, has helped all of our graduates to continue on to advanced education or immediately improve their employment situations."

Tammy earned a certificate in Child Care and Education along with her diploma through COHS. She is now enrolled at Ventura College. She has future plans to obtain her associate's degree so that she can realize her goal of taking care of special needs children, a passion she discovered while raising her son who has Down Syndrome. "What I learned from the program is that it's never too late — even in your 50s— to continue your education. All you need is self -determination and the support of amazing organizations like your local library."

"It's heartbreaking to hear about the obstacles that cause Ventura County residents like Tammy to drop out of high school initially, but it's inspiring to be able to give them a second chance to achieve their hopes and dreams," shared Carol Chapman, Program Manager of the Ventura County Libraries Adult Literacy Program. "We can't wait to celebrate the graduation of our seven current students who will be finishing up the program soon."