Earlier this year, 16-year-old Miami native Leora Haimov discovered that Career Online High School (COHS) was the perfect solution for earning her high school diploma while laying the foundation for her career goals.

After completing the program just four months later, the impressive young woman was awarded a scholarship to Miami International University of Art and Design.

“COHS had the right combination of classes I needed to move toward my career goals,” Leora said. “This program was more interesting and educational than anything I took in my previous school.”

As a SACS accredited institution, COHS grants transfer credit for course credits earned at other accredited institutions, which enabled Leora to accelerate her completion of the program. The school is part of Smart Horizons Career Online Education, the world’s first private online accredited school district, which launched the program in 2012 in partnership with Cengage Learning’s ed2go, the country’s largest provider of turnkey online training.

An academic overachiever who speaks four languages, Leora transferred from her local high school to the online option offered by COHS in January. She said the fact that the COHS program included a credentialed career certificate in addition to the diploma sealed the deal for her.

“I chose the Office Management Certificate program because it prepared me for future professional environments, taught me how to run a business, and taught me how to talk to employees and customers,” Leora said.

She said the hands-on support provided by the school staff, including academic coaches, instructors, and tech support, was instrumental in helping her graduate so quickly.

“I could call my instructor whenever I needed her and she was always able to help me,” she said.

Leora, at just 16 years of age, will begin attending the university in July.

“I would recommend COHS to anyone because it’s a great way to finish your high school years, start your major, and achieve your career goals,” she said.