Why Highlands Matters

Why Highlands Matters — Now More Than Ever

A Second Chance That’s Working

Highlands serves thousands of adult learners each year, including immigrants, refugees, working parents, and individuals rebuilding their lives.

These are people who have been left out of traditional systems and are now taking steps to move forward. Highlands provides that opportunity — through education that is accessible, practical, and built for real life.

Removing Barriers to Move Forward

Highlands offers:
  • Free high school diploma programs
  • English language learning
  • Career technical education
There is no tuition. No debt. No unnecessary barriers. For many students, this is the only realistic path to gaining the skills needed to support themselves and their families.

Real Impact Beyond the Classroom

This is not just about education. It’s about outcomes.
Highlands helps:
  • Strengthen the workforce
  • Support economic mobility
  • Reduce long-term reliance on public systems
When students succeed, families stabilize and communities benefit.

What Happens If Highlands Closes

Closing Highlands would not be a small change. It would have immediate, real consequences.
  • Thousands of students lose access to diploma programs and job training
  • Families lose a pathway to stability and upward mobility
  • Communities lose a tool that supports workforce development and successful reentry
This impact would be felt quickly and across the region.

This Is the Wrong Time to Walk Away

California continues to prioritize workforce development, economic opportunity, and support for underserved communities.

Highlands is already aligned with those goals.

Shutting it down would move in the opposite direction, removing a system that is actively helping address these challenges.

A Path Forward

Highlands has faced challenges. That’s understood.

But the answer is not to eliminate the program. It’s to improve it.

With stronger oversight, transparent leadership, and continued reform, Highlands can continue serving the students who depend on it.

Keep Highlands Moving Forward

The need is clear. The impact is real.

Now is the time to strengthen Highlands, not walk away from it.

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