TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The majority of people get their diploma at age 18, as they graduate high school, however, for some, life has a different path.
The Goodwill Excel Center of West Central Indiana is a tuition-free adult high school that offers people the chance to get back in the classroom and earn their high school diploma.
One student, Johanna Brewer, said the teachers and staff are extremely dedicated to helping in any way.
“It’s definitely a way to get a fresh start”, Brewer said. “They will do anything to help. They will go to any resort to get you what you need and they’re definitely motivating in everything they do.”
Tuition is paid by the Indiana Department of Education and learning is done on an individual schedule.
President and CEO of Wabash Valley Goodwill, Meredith Osburn, said many have students have work and family obligations to get around.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been out of school for three days, three months, thirty years, we meet you where you are”, Osburn said. “We do an assessment test, and we see where you are and that is how we make your schedule. Whatever your life circumstance is, we work around it. If you need to only take one class a day or you can take all four classes a day, we figure it out and we work out that plan upon enrollment.”
Later this week, The Excel Center will hold their first graduation ceremony since opening in August of 2024.
Director Carl Conwell said the growth he has seen from students is remarkable.
“That’s going to be so awesome, I don’t know if I can even describe it at this point”, Conwell said. “Seeing those students that we’ve had since term one, that I’ve seen struggle and persevere and work through things to get to this point. I think it’s going to be a great night.”
After graduation, many students are continuing to further their education.
“I am going to go to ISU to become an early childhood music teacher”, Brewer said. “I’m hoping that I will be able to start within the next year.”
As of last week, The Excel Center of West Central Indiana is at 222 total students. Their capacity with the Indiana Department of Education is 300.
