Career Online High School

Earn your high school diploma with Career Online High School!
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What is Career Online High School?

Earn a high school diploma and career certificate.  Hayward Public Library’s Literacy Plus program, in partnership with the California State Library, offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate online through Smart Horizons Career Online High School.

Scholarships available.  Free scholarships are available to qualified adult learners who are looking to expand their career opportunities, prepare for workforce entry and continue their education.

Open to eligible Hayward residents. Career Online High School through the Hayward Public Library is open to eligible Hayward residents. Applicants who successfully complete an online self-assessment and prerequisite course, followed by an in-person interview, will be considered for enrollment. 

Work with an academic coach. Once enrolled in the program, Career Online High School pairs each student with an online academic coach, who provides the student with an individual career path, offers ongoing guidance, evaluates performance and connects the student with the resources needed to master the courses. Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program.

Hear From Some of Our Graduates

Learn More

To learn more about Career Online High School, please visit the Career Online High School website. You can also contact Library Staff at EdServices@hayward-ca.gov or (510) 583-8557.

Career Online High School Frequently Asked Questions

Hayward Public Library’s Career Online High School offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate. You can advance in your career or pursue higher education once you graduate. The Library supports you from enrollment to graduation so that you can achieve your goals.

City of  Hayward residents (at least 19 years of age), who are on an 8th grade level or above and have a Hayward Public Library card in good standing who wish to earn their high school diploma.

Career Online High School applicants will be required to successfully pass an online readiness survey and prerequisite course to participate in the program. They will also need to complete a personal interview. Prospective students will need to pass a 30-day trial period in order to keep the scholarship. Enrollment is limited. Successful students are self-motivated, can work independently, can troubleshoot technology problems, and prioritize studying while logging in daily.

No. This is not a GED or other high school equivalency program. Successful graduates will earn a high school diploma and a career certification through an accredited online high school.

A high school diploma means you took and passed all the required classes in a high school setting.  

 

The GED credential is a high school equivalency diploma. It shows you passed four high school equivalency tests, demonstrating you have the same knowledge as a traditional high school graduate. 

 

Some colleges, institutions and organizations require a high school diploma and may not accept an equivalency.

Through Career Online High School, students may earn a certificate in the following areas:
  • Child Care
  • Commercial Driving
  • Food and Hospitality
  • General Career Preparation
  • Home Care Professional
  • Hospitality and Leisure
  • Manufacturing
  • Office Management
  • Retail Customer Service
  • Security Professional
Students and community members can learn more about the District Accreditation Process at https://ca.careeronlinehs.org/career-certificates/.

Each student will be different. It depends on: 

  • Whether you have high school credits 
  • How many credits transfer 
  • How much time you spend on the Career Online High School Program each week

Some students can earn their high school diploma in as little as 5 months. 

 

Students have 18 months  maximum to complete the program.

 

The program is self-paced. The more time you spend each week on your coursework, the sooner you will finish. Students need to spend at least 40 hours per month and complete two or more semesters each month.