A newly opened diploma completion program is providing Lawrence residents another way to get a high school education.

The Lawrence school district and South Central Kansas Education Service Center have partnered to open the Lawrence Diploma Completion Program at 711 W. 23rd St., in The Malls shopping center.

“It’s been a little slow, but it’s a brand-new program,” said project coordinator Sharen Steele, who retired last year as principal of New York School.

Enrollment began last week, and about 12 people have signed up, Steele said.

District officials see it as an extension of education services for Lawrence residents. Bruce Passman, executive director of student services for the school district, said the program provided another opportunity for students who didn’t graduate from high school.

“For most anybody, education is going to be key to their success,” he said.

The program targets people 18 or older and whose peers have graduated from high school. But Sue Noland, director of the diploma completion program for the service center, said participants had ranged in age from 20 to 70 in completion programs across the state. The center is based in Clearwater, the first location where the group offered the program.

In Lawrence, students will earn their diplomas through one of the two Lawrence high schools and pay a $20 enrollment fee. Students enrolled in the program are counted in the district’s overall enrollment. State aid received by the district for the adult students goes to the program.

“The state of Kansas is kind of unique in that there is no age limit on students who want to complete their high school diploma,” Noland said. “Some states won’t pay for people past 18.”

The first step for new students, Steele said, is contacting her. She then checks with the prospective student’s high school to find out what and how many credits are needed for a diploma. Once she gets that information, they can begin classes.

Steele said 80 percent of class work was done on computers. Students also have required reading and may have to do reports or research projects.

“This is open to anyone,” she said. “You don’t have to be from Lawrence to participate.”

In addition to the diploma completion program, the school district offers a program to assist people working toward taking the General Educational Development test.

The diploma completion program may have an impact on the GED program, but it’s too soon to know.

“I think time will tell,” Passman said. “We’re just not sure.”