When Angela Gregory enrolled at The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults, she was a single parent to her three-year-old son and struggling to secure stable, long-term housing. She also has autism. Her primary motivation for completing high school was her son.

“I wanted to show him that I could do it,” Angela recalls.

The Excel Center staff supported Angela along her journey, providing encouragement, guidance and an individualized education plan. Her son attended Young Learners Child Care, The Excel Center’s free, onsite child care for parenting students. 

“The staff at The Excel Center helped me tremendously,” Angela said. “They helped me believe in myself.”

86% of children whose parents didn’t finish high school are not only living in poverty, but they’re also 50% more likely to drop out of high school themselves. It was important to Angela that she set an example for her son.

“He rode my bike with me to the bus stop every morning, attended school with me, and saw me working hard every night on my school work,” Angela said.

In 2019, Angela walked across the stage to receive her diploma with her son looking on. 

“It’s the most important moment in my life and the most accomplished I’ve ever felt,” Angela said. 

Today she describes her life as stable. She has lived in the same home for four years, and her son is excelling. 

“I recommend The Excel Center to any adult who wants to earn their high school diploma,” she said.

Visit excelcenter.org to enroll or learn more.