Basic Skills and High School Diploma Program

1. Is there an Attendance Policy?
Diploma students must attend the enrolled High School Lab a minimum of six hours per week. Contact a High School Lab instructor for more information.

2. What if I am a “Returning Student,” meaning I have been in the SCE diploma program before?
If you are a returning student this would mean that you completed an Orientation/Assessment and met with a counselor and your transcripts were evaluated. You then entered the High School Lab and actually began your studies – you may have completed some credits. Returning students should visit or contact the High School lab they previously attended to see if that lab is currently accepting returning students. Returning students who have ‘stopped out’ for one year or longer should also contact the Counseling Office at their campus to meet with a counselor and update their Educational Plan.

3. How long will it take me to finish my High School Diploma at SCE?
This depends entirely on you. Ask yourself how many credits did you complete at your last high school – what do you have left to complete? How well did you do before in high school – what do you think your abilities are now and will you need tutoring support? How much time can you commit to your studies – how many hours per week can you attend the High School Lab? All of these factors will impact how quickly you can complete your diploma. You can discuss this further after you attend our orientation and during your first meeting with an SCE counselor. The SCE High School Diploma Program requires adult students, 18 years of age and older, to complete a total of 160 credits and 20 of these must be “in residence.” Effective September 12, 2011, fall term, diploma students will be required to attend the lab a minimum of six hours per week.

4. What is the residency or in residence requirement?
The state of California requires community college adult diploma programs in California to require students to complete a total of 20 credits of their needed credits ‘in residence’ or actually sitting in our diploma labs. We cannot award a diploma unless students meet this ‘residency’ requirement. It is possible that you do not need additional credits to meet our subject requirement, but you will still need to complete 20 credits in residence to earn a diploma from the SCE.

5. How do I park at your campus for appointment setting or the orientation?
For your Appointment Setting and Orientation days you must purchase a $2 one-day parking permit each day from the yellow parking lot machines to park on campus. On the day of your orientation, purchase a permit before attending orientation. Plan to BE ON TIME to your Orientation. Late comers will NOT be admitted to their scheduled orientation.

6. Can I re-schedule my orientation appointment if I have an emergency or am unable to attend?
There is NO option to reschedule a missed High School Orientation. These are offered ONLY at the beginning of each term. Spaces are limited so if you do receive an appointment to attend an orientation, please try to be early and attend.

7. Once I start my studies at one SCE high school lab, how easy is it to transfer to another SCE High School Lab?
The High School Lab and SCE campus where you have orientation is the High School Lab where you will attend and complete your studies. Before you begin your studies, please determine which location—Anaheim, Cypress, or Wilshire (Fullerton)— best suits your needs. Transfer requests are reviewed and approved by the manager of the Basic Skills and High School Diploma Program. The manager will only consider and approve transfer requests for a valid reason; however, the manager has the right to deny transfer requests if a lab(s) is impacted, there have been more than one transfer, a student has been removed and/or suspended due to lack of focus/progress and/or behavioral challenges, etc.