In a ceremony today at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Conference Center, students from multiple schools were recognized with high school diplomas in the third community school program graduation this year.
“Today is an important step in your life journey; one that should be recognized for its huge significance. But graduation is not a finish line; it is just one marker in a much larger journey,” Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon told the 30 graduates. “You still have challenges ahead of you. Don’t back away from those challenges. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or even fail.”
Pastor Tim Jemmot, with the Hawk Institute, served as the commencement keynote speaker. The HAWK Institute is dedicated to helping young men and women of color achieve their full potential.
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.