In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 - 6), Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana celebrates its staff of over 360 education professionals, including teachers, guidance coaches and administrators throughout the entire month. 

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School is a best-fit school for teenage students experiencing circumstances that may present a barrier to education. In 2020, those circumstances included a pandemic that entirely uprooted education across the globe, but our students adapted and persevered, and our faculty did an amazing job at ensuring we could continue to provide high-quality, rigorous instruction and individualized support. 

How many people can say they found their “dream job” right out of college? Sofia Shine is one of those rare individuals. A Ball State 2021 graduate, Sofia started her career in July as a Family Empowerment Coach at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, Goodwill’s best-fit school for students who are experiencing barriers to education.

The Excel Center®, a free public high school for adults, is currently accepting enrollment applications. New classes begin February 21 at all 15 Excel Center locations.

Faith Hicks is a junior at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School who initially enrolled as a freshman a few years ago. Perhaps it’s her tenure at the school that gives her an air of confidence as she walks with her peers through the Indy Met hallways, but right away, it’s easy to see that Faith is one-of-a-kind. 

“Sitting and staring at a wall for six months really messes with you,” said Indianapolis Met High School senior Fayia Samba.

Goodwill strongly believes it is essential to raise education attainment levels in Indiana. Not only are the lifetime earnings of high school graduates significantly higher than those of individuals who have left school, but the children of high school graduates are also 50% less likely to leave high school themselves. Goodwill provides opportunities for both adults and youth through The Excel Center® and Indianapolis Metropolitan High School.

Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana partnered with the Indiana State Department of Health to provide mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics at many of our sites, including all 15 Excel Center®  campuses and Indianapolis Metropolitan High School. Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership® team volunteered to be onsite at each mobile clinic to help administer more vaccines than would normally be possible.

Goodwill’s education division proudly celebrates over 300 new high school graduates this month! Indianapolis Met High School celebrated their newest class of graduates on June 5, and The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s free high school for adults, will recognize its Class of 2021 across 15 ceremonies this weekend.