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July 20, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Earn an Accredited High School Diploma Online with a Scholarship from PGCMLS
Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) supports lifelong learning for adults with a unique opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma online with a full scholarship through Career Online High School (COHS). The program is open to Prince George’s County residents who have successfully completed 8th grade and will be at least age 21 by September of their enrollment year. PGCMLS will award full scholarships for the Career Online High School to qualified learners looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers. COHS is a GED alternative that provides students with maximum flexibility to earn a valuable credential online at a self-directed pace.
Part of the world’s first accredited, private online school district, Career Online High School is designed to reengage adults into the education system and prepare them for entry into post-secondary career education or the workforce. Interested Library customers are asked to first complete a self-assessment, which will determine eligibility. Once eligibility is determined, PGCMLS staff interview prospective students prior to awarding tuition scholarships.
Once enrolled, Career Online High School pairs each student with an Academic Coach, who assists with developing an individual career plan, offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance, and connects the learner with the resources needed to demonstrate mastery of the course material. COHS diplomas are AdvancED/SACS/NCA/NWAC-accredited and fully integrated with the Common Application (“Common App”) system for applying to higher education programs.
PGCMLS staff member Andrea Thomas, who serves as the program lead for COHS and area assistant for the New Carrollton Branch Library discusses the valuable opportunity that COHS presents below:
Career Online High School is a gem in the offerings from PGCMLS. It is a wonderful program that allows the student to receive a diploma instead of a GED. PGCMLS is proud of the 24 students who have successful graduated from the program. They are a diverse group each with wonderful stories. One of our students had to move to Canada while she was working on her program. Through her determination and grit, she finished even though she moved several times. Another one of our students found that she had to take a sabbatical in the middle of her studies. She returned and finished her degree. I would recommend this program to anyone who is serious about completing their studies. It is not easy, but it is so worth the effort!
Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have 24/7 access to the online learning platform. Coursework begins in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields – across a wide spectrum from childcare and education to certified transportation – before progressing to the core academic subjects. Many students are able to graduate in as few as four to six months by transferring previously earned high school credits. Get empowered to open doors to new opportunities. COHS is only available in English at present. English language learners are encouraged to utilize the Library’s free language resources to prepare to be successful with COHS.
About Prince George’s County Memorial Library System
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 915,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. The Books from Birth and Ready 2 Read programs make the Library the primary source of early literacy education and Kindergarten readiness programs in the County. PGCMLS’ robust online offerings include curated content collections for kids, teens, educators, Spanish speakers, and more. Special programs include the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, STEM Pals, and 3D printing, which offer teens and lifelong learners with opportunities to learn cutting-edge technology and STEM skills for job readiness or personal enrichment. The Library’s Laurel Branch Library received the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and was designated the best new public building in Maryland.