Delta Charter Online, a new charter school under the Delta Charter Schools umbrella and authorized by New Jerusalem Elementary School District, is now offering opportunities for adults to finish their high school diploma.

Adults in  San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties have this unique opportunity to earn a high school diploma via an online digital curriculum with full-time certificated instructor support.

We know there are countless adults who can use this opportunity to finish high school and position themselves for greater employment opportunities,” said Jeff Tilton, Superintendent, Charter Schools with New Jerusalem Elementary School District. “But this opportunity was only possible through our partnerships in both counties.”

The partnerships Tilton mentioned are with San Joaquin WorkNet and TEAM Charter School in San Joaquin County and Community Business College in Stanislaus County. In order for Delta Charter Online to serve adults, the charter school must have an established partnership with a Workforce Investment Act provider.

“Our partners in both counties realize the need in the community and how this opportunity is only going to help improve the quality of life for so many,” said David Thoming, Superintendent, New Jerusalem Elementary School District. “They put politics aside and knew it was the right thing to do for our community.”

Will the students enrolled in this program need any written text books or any other class material, or is everything going to be online?

Tilton said, “All materials are made available for students at the Resource Centers. We are exploring the possibility of providing hardware for all Delta students, both Delta Charter School and Delta Charter Online. There will be no cost incurred by any student.”

As for those who have no online access at home, Tilton said, “There are several establishments (McDonalds, local libraries, Starbucks, etc.) that offer free wi-fi services in communities. We also have resource centers in Tracy, Manteca, Brentwood, Stockton, and Modesto – and we’re looking to expand into other areas like Patterson, Escalon, Riverbank, Turlock, and Oakdale. Our resource centers are open daily during the school year, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., and demand will determine additional hours, including nights and weekends.”

Additionally, Tilton said they are “already working on WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation and University of California ‘a-g’ authorizations for classes so that (graduates) move on to post-secondary education if they choose. The diploma is a regular high school diploma based on meeting the requirements of the California Education Code and what is listed in the Delta Charter Online approved petition, which exceeds the Education Code’s minimum requirement.”

The diploma earned in this program is not an adult school diploma, he added.

Besides the free cost of this online diploma program, Tilton said interested students will have help in transportation should they need it.

“We provide transportation to students who want to utilize the Koster  Road facility,” he said.

Not only that, “If a student wants to take the California High School Proficiency Exam, we will reimburse the students if they are successful. That, too, is a high school diploma,” Tilton said.

Students who expect to receive their high school diploma through this online program will still need to pass the California High School Exit Examinations, he said.

Those who want more information about this program are invited to attend information session on the following date and times:

 Thursday, Aug. 4, at  9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., at TEAM Charter School, 621 E. Market St., Stockton.