PHOENIX -- An online high school program that targets high school dropouts or those at risk of dropping out has recently seen a spike in enrollment.

Primavera Online High School partners with the YMCA's i-Learn program to help hundreds of students get high school diplomas without ever returning to a campus.

"I did like high school," said Rodriguez, who dropped out at 16.

But when her mother had to travel to Mexico, she was unable to return to the U.S. for family reasons and Rodriguez had to support herself.

"Stuff came up, family, and I couldn't do that time anymore and I had to get a job," said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said she started to become comfortable earning her own money, and enjoyed that more than being in school.

"You wake up and you have someone to tell you go to school. And then suddenly you don't have that anymore and it's just like, well, I'll stay home," said Rodriguez.

Enrollment in the i-Learn program has recently seen a 28 percent increase from September 2008 through March 2009, over the same period one year before.

School administrators believe the lagging economy is a big reason why.

Primavera said more teens have had to support themselves or their entire family by working, which leaves little time for school.

"These kids are thinking about, I don't know if I can come to school today because there's no one to look after my baby or I hope the police will take my mom away so she'll stop doing drugs," said program director Debbie Moyer Jones.

Six YMCA locations across the valley provide computers and a teacher to help students pass their classes.

The program's flexible hours allows students to make their own schedule.

"They walk out with the knowledge that there are adults in the world who care about them," added Moyer Jones.

Primavera online high school's principal, Dana Vandeinse said the recent spike in enrollment in not surprising.

"Given the economy right now and I think many of our students are finding out that they need to get their high school diploma so that they can help support their families and get those jobs and careers that they need," said Vandeinse.

Through the YMCA's i-Learn program many teens have found that it's never too late to get their high school diploma, like Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who recently turned 20, has her education back on track and just four classes left with no regrets.

"Things happen, but I see it as it had to happen for a reason because otherwise it wouldn't have made me the kind of person I am now," said Rodriguez.