Facts about Career Online High School (COHS)

Adult residents of St. Louis County Library District or St. Louis Public Library District, who are at least 25-years-old, have successfully completed 8th grade and wish to earn their high school diploma. Minors should pursue their high school education through existing high school programs.

Program applicants must have a library card in good standing or be willing to apply for a library card. Information on how to apply for a St. Louis County Library card can be found at www.slcl.org. Information about how to apply for a St. Louis Public Library card can be found at www.slpl.org.

To learn more about the Career Online High School (COHS), please review these questions and answers:

1. What is Career Online High School (COHS)? Career Online High School (COHS) is an online high school diploma and career certification program available through the Public Library. This program offers free enrollment to a limited number of qualified adult students.

2. Will COHS students receive their GED or HSE? No. This is not a GED (General Educational Development) or HSE (High School Equivalency) program. Successful graduates will earn a high school diploma and a career certification through an accredited high school.

3. What is the difference between a GED/HSE and a high school diploma? The fact that some colleges, institutions and organizations require a high school diploma and may not accept the GED/HSE. (Not sure who they are referring to!)

4. What type of career certification will be offered? Through COHS, students may earn a certificate in the following areas:

· Certified Protection Officer

· Child Care and Education

· Commercial Driving

· Food and Hospitality

· General Career Preparation

· Homeland Security

· Office Management

· Retail Customer Service

5. Is all coursework in English? Yes. All coursework is available in English only.

6. How long will it take for students to complete the program? Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program, which will consist of 18 credits. Students accepted into the program may transfer up to 14 credits from their former high school. Depending on how many credits the student is able to transfer, the program can be completed in as few as five months. The average time to complete is 12 months.

7. What is the history of COHS? COHS was founded in early 2010 and accredited as the world’s first online private school district in February 2011. Since February 2012, approximately 7,200 students have enrolled in the program with a retention rate of approximately 68% to 72%.

8. Is COHS accredited? Career Online High School is accredited by the Advanced Accreditation Commission, the national commission that confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) accreditation seals.

9. Will my local community colleges and universities accept a Career Online High School diploma? While Career Online High School itself is a new institution and may not immediately be familiar by name, it is easy to demonstrate that the school is recognized across the nation as a quality school system, delivering an advanced​accredited online high school diploma. It is important to understand that a high school diploma alone (from any type of accredited high school), is not enough to guarantee a student admission into a college or university, as each postsecondary institution has its own minimum standards including admissions exams, standardized test scores and other criteria.

10. Is COHS staff credentialed? When are they available to assist students? Yes, all COHS instructors are state certified. Most of the academic coaches and academic instructors are located in Florida. Office hours are 8 am to 5 pm Central Time; however, coaches have evening hours twice a week and the hours will likely be expanded. Staff is not exclusively assigned to a specific library. The COHS academic coach will welcome the student initially and then reach out to all students at least once every two weeks – and more often for students needing additional assistance.

11. Does the Library offer other resources for education and job preparation? The library is committed to helping people meet their education and job preparation needs. The library encourages you to visit your nearest branch and speak to the staff to help you find a local agency or resource that will best fit your needs.

12. How do I get started? Complete an online self-assessment.