For National Dropout Awareness Month, Goodwill's Indianapolis Metropolitan High School is promoting awareness of the challenges students face that may lead to them leaving school before they graduate. This challenge is so great, Lebron James, an NBA all-star, recently created a new school in Ohio called I Promise, designed to help at-risk youths. Indianapolis Metropolitan High School has been serving students since 2004, providing the additional support, guidance and wraparound services that are necessary for success.

Indianapolis Met is filled with teachers and staff who have a passion for helping people, especially students. Ms. Sharon Douglas is definitely one of those individuals.

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.

When Chris Pack was preparing to enter high school, his mother, Judy, was concerned that the high school in their neighborhood was not an ideal environment for him. Another parent recommended Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, prompting Judy and Chris to take a tour.

“I like that Indianapolis Met has smaller classes, “ Judy said. “It’s a family-oriented atmosphere.”

A native of Oklahoma, Ti’Sharon Thompson moved to Indiana to live with her aunt as a teenager. She discovered Indianapolis Metropolitan High School her junior year.

An eager learner, Andy Deubner came to Indianapolis Metropolitan High School because he was seeking a smaller student-to-teacher ratio that would facilitate greater involvement in his education and success.

Born and raised in Brazil, Guilherme “William” Sprowl and his family moved to Indianapolis when he was 17. He admits, he’s always been interested in math and science, which is what brought him to Indianapolis Met. “My parents wanted me at a school that would really challenge me,” said William.