The Excel Adult High School Program: Changing Lives in Arizona
Did you know that 11% of adults in Arizona did not graduate high school? But there is a group working to change that.
The high school experience is not universal in Arizona. With around 11% of adults in the state lacking a high school diploma, according to the Arizona Department of Education, the pressures of life often make obtaining that diploma seem unattainable. However, there is hope.
Enter the Excel Adult High School program. Offering online courses that can be taken at your own pace and for free, this program is changing the lives of those who thought a high school diploma was out of reach.
“It’s designed for adults, with academic instruction and instructors available,” said program spokesperson Diana Doetzel. “People can do it at midnight. They can do it at 5 a.m. They can do it whenever they want.”
Launched in Arizona in April 2024 through the Workforce Diploma Program, the only requirement to enroll is to be over 21 years old, live in Arizona, and not have a high school diploma.
Dean Cassidy, a resident of Casa Grande, was one of the first eight to graduate from the program. Despite completing courses at a private school as a child, changes in ownership left him without a record of his graduation. After finding Excel Adult High School online, Cassidy registered and, within a month, had earned his accredited diploma.
With over 650 adults in Arizona lacking a high school diploma, the economic impact on taxpayers is significant. “A high school dropout costs taxpayers $575,000 over their lifetime,” Doetzel explained. “Economically, it’s great for the state. Those who don’t graduate will have significantly lower incomes, and by 2031, an estimated 94% of jobs will require a high school diploma.”
The free program is funded through June 2025, with the average student completing their diploma in about seven months. GED credits are transferable, and the 24/7 access to classes allows students to graduate faster.
“I was concerned about having to attend classes at specific times. I can’t do that with a child at home,” shared Cassidy.
Interested individuals can enroll on the Excel Adult High School website and take a step towards a brighter future.
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