Seventy-six San Diegans are celebrating an academic milestone, thanks to a free program at the San Diego Public Library (SDPL). These adults received their high school diplomas on Tuesday, May 5, in a ceremony celebrating the 2025 and 2026 graduates of the Adult High School Diploma Program.  

Adults who wish to earn their high school diplomas can choose from two options offered at SDPL. Career Online High School allows students 18 months to complete their high school diploma coursework and can also earn a certificate in one of 10 high-demand career fields. Students who choose Gale Excel Adult High School have 24 months to complete the program and can enroll in college courses for dual credit. Both programs are made possible through donations and funding from the Library Foundation SD, and serve to continue SDPL’s mission to promote lifelong learning.  

“This is one of the San Diego Public Library’s most inspirational events of the year,” said Library Department Director Misty Jones. “It’s incredibly motivating to see these students’ determination pay off and confirms what we already know: libraries change lives for the better.”  

Now in its 11th year, the program has helped hundreds of San Diegans earn their high school diploma. This year, 60 students graduated from the Career Online High School program — the largest number of graduates to date — along with 16 graduates from the Gale Excel Adult High School program. Students in San Diego have a 67% graduation rate in these programs, which is 10% higher than the average in the state of California.  

The program is designed to be accessible and affordable — all course materials are available online with 24/7 access to accommodate busy schedules, and students can borrow laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots. People who wish to participate in the program can begin the registration process on the Adult Education webpage. Registration is open year-round to anyone who lives in or works for the City of San Diego, has an SDPL library card and is age 19 or older.