In a ceremony today at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Conference Center, over 30 students from multiple schools were recognized with high school diplomas in the fourth Community Schools Program graduation this year.
In his remarks to the graduates, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon said, “Please commit to the fact that your learning will not stop here. Earning your high school diploma is great, but what’s next? You have so many options available that I hope you will explore them all.”
Dr. Eric V. Gravenberg, President and CEO of the HAWK Institute, was the keynote speaker. His organization’s mission is to help young men and women of color achieve their full potential and become successful adults. He urged the graduates to take charge of their lives. “The power you have inside of you is unstoppable. You’ve overcome a lot, but there’s still a lot for you to overcome,” Gravenberg said. “If you want to change your direction then change how you think.”
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 in jeopardy of dropping out of high school, and to help those who have been out of school and want to return to complete diploma requirements.
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.