The higher education landscape faces a significant challenge: the “enrollment cliff.” This projected decline in traditional high school graduates threatens college enrollment numbers and financial stability for post-secondary institutions. One critical strategy to mitigate this issue is leveraging online adult high school completion programs.
What is The Enrollment Cliff Challenge?
A decrease in the number of 18-year-old high school graduates is expected through at least the year 2041, directly impacting traditional college enrollment. This demographic shift necessitates exploring alternative student populations to maintain enrollment levels.
How Can Online Adult High School Completion Programs Serve as a Solution?
Adult high school completion programs offered online present a viable solution to adults who did not graduate from high school to earn their high school diploma, subsequently opening doors to higher education. This pathway may appeal to a different group of adults who would prefer to earn a high school diploma rather than earn a GED.
According to the Census Bureau, in 2021 an estimated 8.9% of the US population aged 25 and older had less than a high school diploma or equivalent, meaning roughly 40 million adults lack a high school diploma in America. This represents a significant population that can help offset the declining traditional high school graduate population and potentially increase the college enrollment population.
What are the Benefits for Online Adult High School Completion?
Adults seeking to obtain their high school diploma later in life have various barriers that can make the journey challenging, such as full-time jobs and families that occupy much of their free time. Online programs like that offered by Ancora High School, provide flexible, supported pathways that can help them achieve their goals.
Since its launch in 2022, Ancora High School has been providing students 18 years and older the opportunity to obtain a traditional high school education through online education. Adults enrolled with Ancora High School benefit from:
- Accessibility: All courses are taught 100% online, with 24/7 access to classwork through the online portal. This allows students to make their own schedules and make progress at a pace that suits them.
- Academic Support: With Student Success Champions providing academic advising and Course Coaches providing online tutoring when requested, students can feel supported throughout their learning.
- Well-rounded Education: Ancora High School offers a broad catalog of courses, so students can graduate ready to achieve their career goals.
- Credit Transfers: Credits already earned may be eligible for transfer, allowing students to fast-track their diploma completion.
Once students complete their high school diploma, the door opens to the world of post-secondary education. They are now a possible answer to the enrollment cliff challenge.
How Can Programs Be Integrated with College Recruitment?
Colleges have the opportunity to strategically partner with online adult high school completion programs to help minimize the impact of the projected enrollment cliff challenges. This partnership could also provide a direct pipeline for adults seeking to continue their education beyond a high school diploma; adults who weren’t initially on the radar of the college’s recruitment team.
Creating partnerships between Ancora High School and postsecondary institutions provides benefits for both sides: the graduates of Ancora High School are offered opportunities to continue their education and advance their goals, and the institutions have the chance to benefit from recruiting a new source of leads for their programs.
Conclusion
Addressing the impending enrollment cliff requires innovative strategies. Investing in and integrating online adult high school completion programs, like Ancora High School, presents a substantial opportunity for higher education institutions to stabilize enrollment, while also expanding the prospects of a large portion of the American population.
