SAN DIEGO — A new education program is proving it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

What You Need To Know

  • The program gives adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma

  • About 10% of adults in San Diego lack a high school diploma

  • Graduates can experience a pay increase of approximately $10,000-$15,000 a year more with a high school diploma

  •  Students earn their high school diploma - not a GED - at their own pace and convenience

Nothing will stop Jose Perez from chasing his dream of becoming a paramedic. The 32-year-old is earning his high school diploma through the Gale Excel Adult High School program through San Diego Public Library.

“Even though I’m at the age that I’m at, never stop, never give up on your dream,” Perez said.  

The new program is an accredited online program designed to give San Diegans 19 years old and above the chance to get their high school diploma — not a GED — at their own pace. Perez works a full-time job in construction and has kids at home, so being able to work whenever he has time is key.

“An hour to spare, two hours to spare. I just hop on and get as much done as I can,” he said. “There are days where I can’t get any done; there's weeks sometimes that go by, and I feel guilty, but at the end of the day, that’s what the program is there for.”

Kristina Garcia is the program librarian. She said they are hoping to bridge the gap with a staggering 10% of adults in San Diego lacking a high school diploma.

“We have students from say 19 or 20, all the way up into their 50s, and even a little older sometimes,” Garcia said. “And they’re embarrassed, they say ‘Oh, I’m too old.’ No, you’re not. You can get your diploma.”

Garcia said graduates have two years to complete the program, and it costs around $1,200 that they also supplement with scholarships. Graduates can experience a pay increase of approximately 25% — that’s $10,000 to $15,000 a year more with a high school diploma.

“It not only helps them, their families, and also our community as a whole, get more economic traction,” Garcia said.

Perez hopes to have his diploma in hand by the end of the year. He wants to not only give his family a better life, but be an example for his kids.

“I don’t want them to feel like they can never do something. I want them to be like ok if I want to do this, if I put the time and effort and pursue it, I can get it done,” he said.