A high school diploma is like a Willy Wonka golden ticket toward a student’s future. Yet–due to this past year’s learning issues–many are in jeopardy of receiving one.

Fortunately, there’s Summer School.

On the up-side, in 15 short days, a student can recover credit in two in-person courses–and possibly more with APEX opportunities. The worst part, though, is that these students will have to give up three weeks out of their summer. For many, that’s not cool. Some students want their summer to go out to the beach, get a tan, play in the water, and go hang out with friends and family.

But, choosing Summer School over summer sun is a small price to pay to earn the much-needed credit. Thus, by the time underclassmen get to their senior year, they’ll be able to walk across the stage with their diploma.  Take it from those current seniors who are now discovering that this particular Summer School will be their last chance to obtain their graduation credits–even if it will be too late for some to participate in the commencement ceremonies.

But, no matter the situation, students will have to get signed up by this coming Friday–May 21–to take advantage of this opportunity. Summer school will start June 7 and run through June 25. There will be both morning and afternoon classes. The morning class will run  from 7:30-11:00 a.m., while the afternoon one will be from 12:00-3:30 p.m.– which isn’t so bad, considering that it is only half of a normal school day.

Life is full of choices. And, each choice carries consequences. This generation is very intelligent and capable of doing whatever it wants to in life. The brain is the most powerful thing in the body. If used right, it can be used to achieve great things. Signing up for Summer School may be the first step in that process.