What’s that sound? It’s opportunity knocking at the Beaumont Library!

Opportunity knocked when Edwin Romero visited his hometown library. As his daughters sat quietly reading, Romero spotted a brochure about Career Online High School.

“I’m 46 years old,” Romero thought to himself. “But it’s never too late to start.”

Ten months later, Romero had earned a scholarship and become the first graduate of the Career Online High School program through the Beaumont Library. Since graduating in 2017, Romero, a cable company installer, has set his sights on becoming a cyber security expert.

The innovative program allows adults over 19 years of age with a library card to earn an accredited high school diploma, a career certificate, and prepare for college. Students learn in an online environment available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and they're paired with an academic coach and a coordinator at the Beaumont Library.

If you live in Beaumont or Cherry Valley, scholarships are currently available to cover the cost of Career Online High School. At this time, Career Online High School is only taught in English.

Beaumont and Cherry Valley residents can learn more about Career Online High School at the Beaumont Library or by visiting the Library’s website (www.bld.lib.ca.us).

For more information, please contact Lucy Sims, Adult Literacy Services Manager, at 951-845-1357.

From left, Jesus Fajardo, Edwin Romero, and Alondra De Anda celebrate on the steps of their hometown library. Romero is the Beaumont Library’s first graduate of the Career Online High School program, and Fajardo and De Anda are students. Photo by Alex (Sandy) Mathews-Woodcock