Pickering Offers Alternative High School Diploma Programs

There are at least two kinds of students who can benefit from pursuing their high school diplomas from Capstone Classical Academy, according to founder Jean Pickering.

Capstone offers three reputable, accredited online high school diploma programs from its campus at 515 Pin Oak Road in Katy near the Katy Mills Mall. One of the programs also offers a more limited approach allowing a student to take individual high schools courses for full credit at their public high school.

“By establishing a campus environment to which students come four times a week, we have combined the best of online instruction supported by instructional professionals in a disciplined environment,” Pickering said.

Here are the two kinds of students cited by Pickering:

1. Highly motivated, disciplined students who are focused upon academics more than extra or co-curricular activities at school. Such a student may or may not be an elite student but will be very dedicated to maximizing one’s academic potential on a path to a university-level education.
2. The student who is falling behind or whose goals are more focused upon community college or work force training as the next step in life. These may be students that have lost credits to timely graduation in the public schools or ones, for whatever reasons, are just not performing well in public education.

The benefits of the programs for each kind of student will be described in more detail. However, here are the common denominators of the programs:

• “The online high school diploma programs I have chosen are focused upon academic mastery. There are no activities to “puff up” grades. The curriculum materials of each of the programs vary according to the student’s post high school objective. The curriculum is calibrated and delivered to objectives parents understand at the beginning…
• “Parents will purchase access to the online programs and supporting curriculum materials at cost from the source…
• “Capstone’s fees are based upon a monthly cost. There are no long term contracts to sign that cost you financially if you want to leave the program…
• “Capstone is not a place for lazy students. We offer a structured program with professional support and high expectations. However, we consult with you to help you choose the exact program that represents realistic expectations…”

The three online programs include:

1. Texas Tech High School Diploma/Course Credit Plan: Texas Tech is recognized as prestigious program. It is for those who want to pursue a high school diploma.  It is also for those who need to take one or two courses to “catch up” or “get ahead” in their course work. The college entrance SAT scores of graduates rank very well. The curriculum is rigorous. For those taking targeted courses, the grades transfer subject by subject back to any school district in Texas. A student graduates from Texas Tech High School “college ready.”

2. Ashworth College Prep High School Diploma: This program is also academically rigorous. It is accredited by The Secondary Association of Colleges and Schools. It is less expensive than the Texas Tech option. Students who earn this diploma can be expected to move into the college world.

3. Ashworth College General High School Diploma: This program is designed for students who have fallen behind in the course work and who or in danger of not graduating from public high school.  This is an academically solid program.  However, it does not include upper level math and science classes.  Thus, it is also effective for students whose career plans do not include the highest level math and science courses. Graduates of this program can expect to attend community college to pursue additional academic studies or move comfortably into workforce training programs.

“While these high school programs are ones in which students are currently enrolled and one that we expect to be the highest in demand, we also offer such programs with support for elementary and junior high students,” she said.

Capstone Classical Academy and Pickerings Academic Assessments are located at 515 Pin Oak in Katy. The phone number is 832-314-1400. Pickering can be reached at directors@capstoneclassicalacademy.com.