TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)—Last May, we told you about The Excel Center of the Wabash Valley, the center is now closer to opening its doors to adults seeking a second chance at earning their high school diploma.
“In Vigo County alone, it’s nearly 11% of our population: 10,464 adults without a high school diploma,” Meredith Osburn, President and CEO of Goodwill of the Wabash Valley, said.
That statistic is something The Excel Center of West Central Indiana wants to change through its partnership with the Wabash Valley Goodwill; they can remove barriers to education and empower individuals to achieve their goals by earning a CORE 40 high school diploma.
“Getting their diploma can open up opportunities,” Osburn said. “Opportunities for promotions, opportunities for wage increases, opportunities to go to college, opportunities to join a union. You know, all those opportunities are there with that high school diploma.”
The school will allow students the opportunity to pick up right where they left off, “Meet people where they are, start working on eliminating barriers, providing wrap-around services, and then launch them after graduation into the community,” Osburn said.
The Excel Center is a tuition-free charter school for adults. There are more than 40 Excel Centers nationwide, and nearly half of them are located in Indiana.
“Everything is free for the students. Our free onsite childcare, free transportation, we’ll help students get there,” Osburn said.
The Excel Center will award industry-recognized certifications and high school diplomas to adult learners throughout West Central Indiana.
“We want to make sure that they’re getting a rigorous education and that they are truly prepared to enter the workforce or move on to college,” said Carl Conwell, Director of The Excel Center of the Wabash Valley.
Students can take advantage of a flexible, rigorous, and relevant program with the help of life coaches, college and career readiness counselors, high-quality instructors, flexible scheduling, and support services.
“Public school you’re Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 3:00 or whatever it is. We’re going to work around their schedules. If they’re working, you know, we’re going to figure out how we can get to them. If we have to have night classes, that’s something that’s built into that model,” Conwell said.
The Excel Center of the Wabash Valley is open to all adults in Indiana.
“We’re 18 and up. 18-102 is what we’ve been saying, and any academic level,” Conwell said. “It doesn’t matter if you have one class left in high school or didn’t take any classes in high school; that’s what we’re for. We’re going to get you where you need to be and meet you where you are when you come into The Excel Center.”
Osburn says they are working to finalize their location and the plans for the build-out of the space. They hope to announce the location soon.
Jobs are being posted now for the center, including positions for teachers, life coaches, career readiness counselors, and childcare workers. To see openings at both Goodwill of the Wabash Valley locations and The Excel Center of West Central Indiana click here.
The Excel Center plans to be open in August of 2024.
For more information on enrolling click here.
