My Clearwater
Earning a high school diploma is one of the most
A Free High School Diploma from the Library? Why Not!
important milestones an individual can achieve on
his or her path to success. Without a high school
degree, college and other post-secondary educational
opportunities most likely aren’t an option. Some jobs and
career paths are not open to workers who do not have a
diploma. The United States military now requires at least
90 percent of enlisted recruits to have high school diplomas.
A GED, or general education development equivalency
certificate, can no longer take someone as far down the path
to prosperity as it once was able.
In Clearwater, with a population close to 114,000, the
percentage of high school graduates ages 25 and older is
90.1 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That
means nearly 11,250 adult residents are without a high
school diploma. Among other disadvantages is the difference
in annual earnings between a high school graduate and
someone without the high school degree. This can be
estimated at $10,386 per year, according to an article by the
Public Broadcasting Service. When you consider the number
of Clearwater adult residents without a high school diploma,
it equals $116,925,588 in lost income potential.
Fortunately, there are alternatives for those who were not
able to successfully obtain a high school diploma. Starting
in September, the Clearwater Public Library System in
partnership with the State Library of Florida will offer
qualified residents the opportunity to enroll in the Career
Online High School program and earn an accredited high
school diploma for free. A select number of students
will be granted scholarships to the program,
which also offers a career certificate in one
of eight fields. This gives graduates one
more credential to set them apart
in their job searches.
06 MyClearwater
Qualified candidates must be 19 years old or older and must
have completed at least one year of high school. Classes are
conducted entirely online, so modules can be completed
whenever and
wherever students
have online access.
Online certified
instructors,
academic coaches
and Clearwater
librarians are
available to
assist students
throughout the
program. Students
can even transfer
in credits from
their previous high
school work to
accelerate program completion.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this
program, contact the Clearwater Public Library System at
562-4970, and ask about the Career Online High School.
You also can send an email to CareerOnlineHighSchool@
myclearwater.com.
/myclearwater.com