PARTNERSHIPS

Help Your Employees and Community Members Advance

Provide no-cost secondary education that drives better results for individuals, families, businesses, and communities.

Library Programs

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McDonald's Graduates

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Corporations and Businesses

Benefitting Both Corporations and Employees by Building a Better-Educated Workforce

Smart Horizons Career Online Education offers a high school diploma online accredited by Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC that enables employees to finish high school online while continuing to work. As part of the program, employees complete industry-specific coursework to earn a specialized Career Certificate that prepares them for success within their organization. They also learn essential career skills that can be applied on the job, such as computer, communication, and management skills, as well as knowledge about professionalism in the workplace and common on-the-job issues. Career Certificates such as Food & Hospitality, Retail Customer Service, and Hospitality & Leisure were designed specifically for corporate employees.

Benefits of the Program

SHCOE enables high school dropouts to graduate from high school and become educated, productive members of their communities and companies. A more educated workforce means:

Increased Employee Retention: Employees who take advantage of tuition reimbursement stay with the company longer, saving time and money on training and recruitment.
Higher Performance: More education helps employees perform better, driving more revenue and reducing expenses. It also improves a company’s ability to promote from within, cutting costs on recruitment and training.
Tax Breaks: Corporate reimbursement program costs are tax-deductible up to $5,250/employee annually. Since the costs balance out and the company reaps the benefits of a smarter workforce, it’s a win-win.

Program Highlights

SHCOE offers an innovative curriculum aligned to the National Common Core Standards (NCCS), a convenient online learning platform, and interactive content that engages adult learners and helps them achieve their educational goals.

Flexibility of anytime, anywhere access to courses—with 24/7 availability of online courses, employees can complete their diplomas while continuing to work full time
Credit transferability—students can transfer in all previously earned courses in order to maximize their time and company resources
A skills-based, career-focused curriculum—the program builds the skills that employees will need to succeed in the workplace
Individualized support—academic coaches and highly qualified certified instructors provide academic and moral support

Targeted Certificate Tracks

Retail Customer Service: For students working in retail corporations. Provides a comprehensive overview of skills critical to success in retail settings, with career coursework in areas such as management and customer service skills.
Food & Hospitality: For students working in food service corporations. Includes courses such as Customer Service Skills and Food Safety, and prepares students for the Prometric Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) exam.
Hospitality & Leisure: For employees working in the events, leisure, food services, tourism, and hospitality industries. The program teaches customer service, personal, and professional skills used in a wide variety of locations and settings.
Professional Skills: For students working in various types of corporations. Develops general career skills in areas such as communication, technology, and time management, with targeted knowledge about common workplace issues and how to be successful, professional members of an organization.

Featured Corporate Partners

McDonald’s
Amazon
Next Mile DSP
Hopdoddy
Checkers &Rally’s
First Watch

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Public Libraries

Build a Center of Learning and Create Positive Outcomes in Your Library’s Community

Smart Horizons Career Online Education offers an accredited, 100% online program that prepares students for jobs, college, or postsecondary career training programs. The Career Online High School program engages adults back into the educational system, creating real-world opportunities for them. By partnering with SHCOE, library systems can support lifelong learning while fighting community deficits.

76% of SHCOE graduates pursue postsecondary education—see where they matriculate.

Benefits of Offering the Program at Public Libraries

Career Online High School employs an innovative curriculum aligned to the National Common Core Standards (NCCS), the convenience of an anytime-anywhere online learning platform, and interactive content.

Accredited: Not only does it ensure the highest quality, but Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC accreditation also means that graduates are eligible for federal student aid programs and can pursue additional education if desired.
Proven: More than 18,000 students have graduated from the program, which is currently offered in 2,000+ library locations.
Further Your Library’s Mission: The program enhances educational and strategic missions, enabling libraries to empower members of their communities.
Students Graduate “Ready for Work”: In addition to career coursework, students complete a Career Portfolio, which includes resumes, cover letters, and other important documents to aid them in career advancement.

Program Highlights

Career-Focused Curriculum—the courses build the skills that students will need to obtain and succeed in jobs.
Individualized Support—Academic Coaches and certified teachers help ensure students succeed.
Transfer Credit—students can transfer in prior courses or GED/HiSET credits for up to 75% of graduation requirements.
Accessibility—SHCOE offers ELL and literacy resources; courses can also be translated to any language and can be listened to via audio if preferred.
Affordability—libraries can make use of funding to provide scholarships for those in their community.

Community Colleges

Improve Recruitment and Retention for Community Colleges

Smart Horizons Career Online Education offers a fast-track Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited program that prepares students for entrance into postsecondary career training programs and success in the workplace. SHCOE offers a pipeline of enrollment into postsecondary institutions for students who still need to complete their high school diplomas. Delivering quality, supportive, and career-based online high school education, SHCOE is proven to increase enrollments and positively impact student outcomes.

Benefits of the Program

SHCOE uses an innovative curriculum aligned to the National Common Core Standards (NCCS), a convenient online learning platform, and interactive content that engages adult learners and helps them achieve their educational goals.

Accredited: Graduates with an accredited high school diploma are eligible for federal student aid programs.
Proven Student Outcomes: The curriculum is based on a master proficiency training model with better results than the GED.
Most Students Advance to Enrollment: The program increases students’ exposure to and loyalty toward your institution, resulting in an increased flow of eligible students for future enrollment into postsecondary career training programs.

Program Highlights

Credit transferability—students can transfer in all previously earned courses in order to earn their diplomas as quickly as possible
24/7 access to courses—students can complete their courses anytime, anywhere
A skills-based, career-focused curriculum that builds the skills that students will need to succeed in career college
Individualized support from academic coaches and certified teachers
Affordability for both students and for postsecondary programs
Fast-Track—students can earn an accredited high school diploma online quickly so they can move on to the next step in the educational careers

Military

Address the National Recruitment Challenge

As the U.S. military faces a growing enlistment shortage and pressure to increase recruitment, a new source of educated high school graduates can help close the gap. At a time when we urgently need to maintain every branch of the military, access to adult high school completion can reduce if not eliminate our national recruiting challenge.

SHCOE offers an accredited program that prepares students for entrance into all branches of the military, creating a pipeline of eligible enlistees who need a high school diploma in order to serve.

Program Highlights

Fast-Track—students can earn an accredited high school diploma online fast so they can move on to the next step in their military careers
Credit transferability—students can transfer in all previously earned courses in order to earn their diplomas as quickly as possible
24/7 access to courses—students can complete their courses anytime, anywhere even if deployed or on base
A skills-based, career-focused curriculum that builds the skills that students will need to succeed in the military and in future military or civilian careers
Individualized support from academic coaches and certified teachers that helps students succeed who have struggled in the past

Workforce Boards

Accredited WIOA-Aligned Career-Based Education

Career Online High School offers an accredited high school diploma concurrently with an entry-level workforce certificate. The program prepares students to enter the workplace or matriculate into training programs where they acquire additional credentials. Students complete industry-specific coursework while also learning life skills in areas such as financial literary, consumer math, conflict resolution, and professionalism.

Built for WIOA Compliance: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was created to better address the employment and skills needs of employees, jobseekers, and employers. WIOA stresses the importance of education, training, credentials, and skills; helping people with barriers to employment; meeting the needs of employers; and increasing the success and economic self-sufficiency of workers.

Designed to meet WIOA requirements:

Eight occupational skills training paths (majors) provide relevant workplace readiness training
76% of students matriculate into post-secondary education, leading to attainment of additional credentials
Evidence-based academic model, built on educational trauma research
Systematic student re-engagement strategies increase completion percentage
Career curriculum gives students an opportunity to explore career paths
Dedicated academic and workforce coach provides one on one guidance
Activities link to career awareness, career counseling, and career exploration services
Financial literacy section covers spending and savings plans, student loans, and paying off debt
Workforce activities are offered concurrently with training for a specific occupational cluster
Program includes life skills training in motivation, work life balance, and self-management
Students create a career portfolio

Benefits and Highlights

The program employs an innovative curriculum aligned to the National Common Core Standards (NCCS), the convenience of an anytime-anywhere online learning platform, and interactive content that engages adult learners and helps them achieve their educational goals.

Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC Accredited: National accreditation not only ensures superior quality, but also means that graduates are eligible for federal student aid programs, should they decide to further their education.
Skills-Based, Career-Focused Curriculum: Builds the skills that students will need to succeed in further vocational training.
Flexible, Online Access: With 24/7 availability of online courses.
Better Outcomes than the GED: The curriculum is based on a master proficiency training model with better results than the GED.
Transfer Credits: Students can transfer in all previously earned courses in order to maximize their time and workforce board resources.

Career Tracks

Child Care and Education (CDA)
Certified Protection Officer
Introduction to Commercial Driving
Home Care Professional
Hospitality and Leisure
Office Management
Homeland Security
Retail Customer Service
Food and Hospitality
General Career Preparation
Introduction to Manufacturing

Nonprofit Organizations

Enable the People You Serve to Gain a High School Education that Prepares them for Employment

Smart Horizons Career Online Education offers an Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited online high school diploma program that prepares students for entrance into the workplace or postsecondary career training programs. The program engages high school dropouts back into the educational system, creating real-world opportunities for them. By partnering with Smart Horizons Career Online Education, non-profit organizations can make a real impact in the lives of those they serve.

Benefits of the Program

The program combines a high-support/proficiency-based learning model with the convenience of an anytime-anywhere online learning platform, and interactive content that engages adult learners and helps them achieve their educational goals.

Cognia/SACS/NCANWAC Accredited: Not only does it ensure the highest quality, but accreditation also means that graduates are eligible for federal student aid programs and can pursue additional education if desired.
Better Outcomes than the GED: The curriculum is based on a master proficiency training model with better results than the GED.
Students Graduate “Ready for Work”: In addition to career coursework, students complete a Career Portfolio, which includes resumes, cover letters, and other important documents to aid them in career advancement.

Program Highlights

A skills-based, career-focused curriculum that builds the skills that students will need to obtain and succeed in jobs
Individualized support from academic coaches, certified teachers, and onsite facilitators
Optional onsite Learning Lab—the program can be offered exclusively online or with an onsite “learning lab” providing access to computers, resources, and teaching support
Credit transferability—students can transfer in all previously earned courses in order to earn their diplomas as quickly as possible

Correctional Intitutions

High-Security, Internet-Based High School with Proven Results for Reentry Programs

As the nation’s first and only online secondary program for corrections, our program offers a performance-based, teacher-guided program to help low education-level students earn a high school diploma and entry-level workforce readiness certificate. The program gives teachers the tools to prepare students for post-release employment, encouraging successful reentry into their communities.

Smart Horizons Career Online Education currently operates the first and only online secondary programs offered in correctional institutions in the United States, and is the official provider of online education for prisons in the State of Florida. Wardens in the Florida Department of Corrections have praised the program for preparing incarcerated persons for reentry into society. Our programs help correctional institutions increase their high school graduation rates through alternative, career-focused high school diploma programs designed for incarcerated adults, with the ultimate goal of reducing recidivism rates.

Highlights of our corrections programs:

Proven Success Rates: 6 times more successful than GED programs for inmates with TABE scores of 5^th-9^th grade
High-Level Security: End-point security software installed on inmate workstations and network firewalls restricts those incarcerated to the courseware—they cannot browse the Internet. The measures have proven entirely effective with zero breaches to date
Over 70 academic and career-based, online semester courses
A career-focused curriculum focused on preparing inmates for post-release employment—students graduate with both an Cognia/SACS/NWA/NWAC accredited high school diploma and a certification in a career area
Time and monetary savings—those incarcerated can often earn an accredited high school diploma in less time than it would take them to prepare for and pass the GED, saving the institution money and classroom space with no security risk
Training and support for corrections staff
A track record of success with graduation rates

Why does it work?

Subject-Matter Mastery vs. Seat Time: Students advance only after mastering the current assignment and are guided to spend more time in areas requiring additional attention.
Individual Pacing: Performance-based instruction builds subject mastery at each student’s pace—not an instructor’s or group’s pace.
Support: Students receive academic interventions through the institution’s onsite academic teachers, in addition to working with the school’s academic coaches and certified instructors as needed.
Targeted Feedback: Specific, instant electronic feedback at regular intervals tells students exactly what they need to work on.
Research-Based: The computer-assisted instruction approach is based on decades of research by leading scientists and U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Education and the Department of Defense.

This approach has proven effective with individuals who were unsuccessful in traditional academic environments. The program is based on the belief that all students can learn when provided with conditions appropriate to their situation.