This summer adults without a high school education can enroll in the Accelerated High School Diploma Program at San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) to earn their diploma as quickly as possible beginning July 16 or July 17.

SDCE permits students to earn one credit in six weeks compared to a traditional 18-week semester. The fast-tracked program this summer takes place at SDCE’s Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) located at 4343 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113.

Students that need to finish as little as two credits or as many as two years of high school can enroll into the Accelerated Program at any time and start classes at the beginning of a new six-week session. Free classes for the next six-week session begin at ECC on July 16.

Yesenia Lopez, SDCE’s 2018 Commencement student speaker, returned to school 15 years after being away from the classroom to finish her diploma at SDCE since dropping out as a teenage mom.

“Going back to school was scary at first, but once you decide you’re going to do this… you’re going to do it,” said Lopez.

“At 32 I’m finally graduating from high school. I'm just super excited because I can go to college and do what I actually want to do.”

Lopez will attend San Diego City College before transferring to California State University of San Marcos for a degree in sociology. “My daughters have already decided what university they want to attend, now it is my job to show them it’s possible.”

SDCE’s next Accelerated High School Diploma cohort begins classes next month and students may choose to attend either afternoon or evening classes. Students should contact ECC and make a free, confidential appointment with a counselor to get started.

“Workers with less than a high school diploma are the lowest earners on average when you examine the average salary by education level. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median weekly earnings for those with less than a high school degree are $493. That works out to $25,636 per year, assuming a year of constant earning. The unemployment rate for Americans with less than a high school diploma is 8%, the highest of any of the educational categories,” according to Smartasset.

SDCE also offers preparation for the GED (in English and Spanish), HiSET and TASC equivalency exams as well as free career training.

Call SDCE’s Student Services to speak to a counselor for assessment, placement and orientation at 619-388-4956.