October is National Dropout Prevention Month. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 12% of Hoosier working age adults lack a high school diploma. The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s free high school for adults, is working to decrease that rate by allowing adult students the opportunity to pick up where they left off in school, providing support and resources to meet their goals. 

There is no doubt that high school can be a time of transformation and change for students. For students experiencing circumstances that may present a barrier to their education, such as homelessness, involvement in the criminal justice system or teen pregnancy, getting through high school can feel like an impossible feat. 

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School is a best-fit school for students experiencing circumstances that may present a barrier to education, including teen pregnancy or parenting, homelessness, involvement with the foster care or criminal justice system and more. The school places an emphasis on ensuring students enroll in college or enter into a career that offers a higher wage post-graduation.

From navigating new Zoom classrooms to grading homework late into the evening and planning lessons over the weekend, teachers continue to put their students first and be heroes in our communities. To celebrate these hardworking individuals, since 1984, the National PTA®  - which is comprised of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders - has designated one week in May as a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to education.

Like many schools across the state, Indianapolis Metropolitan High School teachers and students left their building on Thursday, March 12, for what would be the last time for the unforeseeable future. With statewide school closures issued by Governor Holcomb, educators found themselves faced with a daunting question: How do we continue to serve students in the wake of a global, public health crisis?

The past few weeks have been difficult for the entire nation. Indiana, especially, has been tested like no other time in recent memory as our state continues to observe stay-at-home orders and practice social distancing. While this has certainly been challenging, individuals across the state are doing the right things to flatten the curve, beat COVID-19 and save lives.

Kiersten Manuel, 17, is an active high school senior. Not only does she achieve high grades and take Certified Nursing Assistant and dual credit classes, but Kiersten also participates in girls basketball and track. She is the Chief Financial Officer of her school’s student-run coffee shop, a staff intern and a part-time associate at Kroger.

October is National Dropout Prevention Month, but Indianapolis Metropolitan High School works year-round on removing the barriers that many students face in trying to complete their education such as homelessness, criminal records, teen pregnancy and more.

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School is designed for students experiencing circumstances that may present a barrier to education. Supports such as free child care, transportation assistance, family empowerment coaching and small class sizes help students remove those barriers and meet their goals.

As Daesha Cottrell nears the end of her senior year at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, she is raising the bar for students who follow in her footsteps, exemplifying leadership, while preparing for college and beyond.