Can I Go Back to School?

“You can never go back,” is a saying that is NOT true when it comes to education.  It does not matter the age you are or the number of commitments you have.  If you want to go back to school to get that high school diploma, you can definitely go back!!!

Everyone knows what high school is.  Everyone knows what it means for a seventeen year old to get up in the morning, walk to school, and attend six different classes to earn that diploma.  But when people hear of adult education, they are often stumped on what it truly is.  Some think that it is a place where people go to take creative writing classes.  Others may not even know a place an adult school exists.

Wait!  Adult school!  What is that exactly?  Well, if you are reading this article to find a school that will help you earn your high school diploma, then an adult school is where you will go.  Basically, an adult school is like any school.  There are teachers, books, desks, counselors, tests, and classrooms.  But all of these traditional parts of school are designed for you, an adult who has made that decision to return to school.   Since an adult school is designed for adults, many schools offer morning, evening, Saturday, and take home classes that fit adults’ schedules.  The teachers teach with an understanding of and respect for adults.   The counselors counsel with one goal in mind:  to guide adults in taking the right classes at the most convenient times in order to reach the adults’ goals.  And the assignments are challenging to the minds of the adults but are also inspiring to the adults when essays are being written, algebra problems are being solved, and tests are being passed with excellent results! 

So how do you go about finding an adult school?  The best place to start is to call your local high school and ask about any adult education programs offered in your local area.  The next step is to try and return to your original high school to get a copy of your high school records.  If you are unable to do so, this is not a barrier to starting adult school.  When you meet with the counselor for the first time, he or she will take your information down and do his or her best to get those records for you.  Once you call your local adult school, you will make an appointment to see the counselor who will meet with you individually to see what your goals are.  In the Los Angeles Unified School District, you will be given a reading test that will tell both you and the counselor whether you should begin in the Adult Basic or the Adult Secondary classes.  If you begin in the Adult Basic classes, you will be enrolled in a class that will strengthen your reading and math skills.  The Adult Basic teacher will work closely with you by giving you exercises that will build your understanding, vocabulary, and confidence in math and reading.  After you have become stronger in those two areas, you will be moved to the Adult Secondary level.  Remember that based on your reading score, you may start in this level at the beginning.  The key thing to never forget is this:  It does not matter which level you begin!  What matters is your determination and confidence in yourself!!  You have made this commitment to get your diploma, so you deserve to take the time and effort to do this for yourself!