Goodwill Leads

Programs: Our course progression allows us to 'meet students where they are'. Enrolling students provide a copy of their transcript from the last high school they attended which allows us to determine how many credits a student needs to complete the requirements for the core 40 diploma. Each student also sits for several academic assessments which are used to determine appropriate course placement based upon the student's current knowledge of the discipline. The majority of our courses are face-to-face, in classroom instruction with a licensed teacher with an average class size of less than 15. Some credit recovery courses are available online for students on an as needed basis. The excel center offers a unique accelerated curriculum allowing students to earn required credits more quickly. With eight week terms offered five times per year, students can advance through the program at a steady pace. In 2016-17, based on official reports submitted to idoe, we served an average of 325 students (365 fall 2016 student count & 285 spring 2017 student count). In that same year, we produced 32 graduates, which is a more than 400% increase from the previous school year (7 grads in 2015-16). All 32 of those graduates received college credit and/or a career certification before graduating, giving them a step ahead in their respective college or career paths. The excel center has a goal to help remove barriers adult students may face when it comes to attending school. Two significant programs are public transportation assistance and onsite childcare. For those students who qualify financially, we provide free bus passes for the local public bus system. There is no charge for riders of the east chicago bus line but there is a fee for gary public transit. If bus systems are not an option, we explore other options in order to assist getting students to school so that transportation is not a barrier for any student. Our drop in center, known as "kids excel" (childcare program), is free to our students whenever they are in our building. Children ages 8 weeks to 7 years old are accepted into the childcare program. We try to make accommodations for school age children when appropriate. However, most of the time, school age children are in their own schools while our classes are in session. The director of the drop in center is licensed in high scope, a pre-school curriculum developed for children in poverty, and she has implemented it into our program. Working with a local non-profit, we are also sending our kids excel staff to receive their own credentials in high scope. This is furthering our ability to serve our students and their families at high quality level. We also assist our students with seeking childcare voucher applications and help them evaluate childcare options for post-graduation needs. Childcare has had a significant impact on enabling our students to be in the classroom, and has also impacted the growth and development of the children in the program.