Goodwill’s Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, a best-fit charter school for teens experiencing circumstances that may become barriers to education, recently celebrated its graduating class of 2018. The graduation rate for the school is up 45% over last year.

Indianapolis Met maximizes the culture and mission of Goodwill with an individualized approach that changes lives every day by empowering people to increase their independence and reach their potential. The school places an emphasis on being a best-fit for students who are pregnant, parenting, in foster care, special education, part of the criminal justice system or managing previous enrollments at other schools, with a focus on ensuring students are in college or a living-wage career post-graduation.

Indianapolis Met High School supports students like De’Janae Simpson, who at age 16, became a mother and was about to be expelled from the high school she attended.

“After transferring to Indy Met, I realized I had the support and flexibility I needed to help me pass my classes,” Simpson said. “The teachers did everything in their power to help me graduate.”

Simpson was also referred to Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership®, a program that pairs low-income, first-time moms with a registered nurse. While pregnant, she received home visits from a nurse who helped her prepare for her baby.

“My nurse was like another friend to talk to,” Simpson said. “We had different topics to discuss every week, and she didn’t judge me about anything.”

Simpson was among the graduates celebrated this spring. This graduating class recognizes over 50 students, 88% of whom experienced barriers to their education.

“Indianapolis Met is well-positioned to continue supporting both students and families on a path to self-sufficiency and independence,” Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana President & CEO Kent Kramer said. “Our goal is to provide students with the flexibility they need to complete their education on time.”

At the ceremony, the commencement speaker was Goodwill Education Initiatives Board Member Jay Oliver, the Senator Teresa S. Lubbers Award was presented to De’Janae Simpson and Class Valedictorian Christopher Pack delivered an address. 

Indianapolis Met student is now enrolling for the upcoming school year. Visit enrollindy.org to apply.