Breaking the Cycle: Excel Adult High School Program Helping Arizonans Graduate
High school graduation isn’t a universal experience in Arizona, with approximately 11% of adults in the state lacking a high school diploma, according to the Arizona Department of Education. For many, the pressures of life make obtaining that diploma increasingly difficult.
However, one group is working to change that – the Excel Adult High School program. This online program offers flexibility, allowing individuals to learn at their own pace and at no cost.
“It’s built for adults, there’s coaching, there’s academic coaches,” explains program spokesperson Diana Doetzel. “People can do it at midnight. They can do it at 5 a.m. They can do it any time they want.”
Launched in Arizona in April 2024 through the Workforce Diploma Program, Excel Adult High School has only a few requirements for enrollment – being over 21 years old, residing in Arizona, and not possessing a high school diploma.
Dean Cassidy, a Casa Grande resident, was skeptical at first but decided to give the program a try. Despite graduating from a charter school in his youth, bureaucratic hurdles left him without a recognized diploma. After enrolling in Excel Adult High School, Cassidy completed his credits and earned his nationally accredited diploma within a month.
With over 650,000 Arizona adults lacking a high school diploma, initiatives like this program are essential not only for individual success but also for the economic well-being of the state. “A high school dropout costs taxpayers like $575,000 over their lifetime. So, it’s economically great for the state,” Doetzel explains. “Those who don’t graduate will have considerably lower income than people who do have a high school diploma. Additionally, I think an estimated 94% of jobs by 2031 will require a high school diploma.”
The free Excel Adult High School program is funded until June 2025 and typically takes about seven months for students to complete. The program offers 24/7 access to classes, making it easier for individuals with busy schedules to earn their diploma.
Interested individuals can enroll in the Excel High School program through their website. Don’t let a lack of a high school diploma hold you back – take the first step towards a brighter future today!
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