In a graduation held today at the Sierra Health Foundation, 33 Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) students from multiple schools were recognized with high school diplomas. More students from the programs will receive their diplomas in June.
“Through SCOE, we hope you found the direction you needed. You had extra support, mentoring, career development and training, and an entire team of teachers and staff cheering you on every step of the way,” Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon told the graduates. “Now you have a launching pad that will take you wherever your futures are meant to take you—be it a great career, a trade, the military, or in continuing your education.”
Julius Thibodeaux, Jr., Strategy Program Manager of the Advance Peace Organization of Sacramento, gave the commencement speech. He encouraged graduates to choose the high road and be leaders in their family and within their community. “You don’t have to be the oldest person in the family to provide leadership,” he said. “Sometimes people just look to you.”
Senior Extension Program Helps Students Complete Their Education
The majority of today’s graduates earned diplomas through SCOE’s Senior Extension Program. SCOE launched the program in 2016 to re-engage students who are in jeopardy of dropping out of high school or who have been out of school and want to return to complete requirements for their diplomas.
The program involves a combination of independent study and classroom work that allows students to earn credits while still fulfilling work and family obligations—things that would otherwise have prevented them from completing their high school education.
Senior Extension is offered at the following SCOE school sites: North Area Community School, Gerber Jr./Sr. High School, and Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School. Services are also offered in Galt.