Goodwill spearheads high school for adults in Phoenix
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona is opening the Papago Excel Center — a tuition-free, public charter high school for adults found at 4837 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix.
The nonprofit broke ground on the Papago Excel Center last year, but due to supply chain issues and construction delays, Goodwill moved to a temporary school for its first year, but yesterday officials gathered in Phoenix to celebrate the opening of the dynamic new education enterprise.
Those in attendance included:
Tim O’Neal, CEO of Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona;
Georgia Harris, VP of The Excel Center and Superintendent of Schools; and
Sentari Minor, The Excel Center Board Director and Chair.
Additionally, Phoenix Councilman Kevin Robinson presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Kate Gallego declaring Monday, Aug. 7 as “Excel Center Day” in the city of Phoenix.
More than 700,000 adults in Arizona do not have a high school diploma, creating added barriers when it comes to job placements or career advancement.
Goodwill spearheads high school for adults in Phoenix
The new high school, officials there say, is an opportunity for adults 18 and older a second chance at earning their diploma and provides opportunities for college credits and industry-recognized certifications. The new location also provides access to an on-site Career Center that offers no-cost career development and skills training.
“We are incredibly excited to be in our brand-new building,” said Georgia Harris, vice president of The Excel Center and Superintendent of Schools. “We enrolled more than 200 students in our first year, and the new, centrally located space will allow us to continue to grow. Our team is looking forward to helping even more students and empowering them to achieve their goals at every turn.”
This proven model of adult-focused high schools has already given thousands of people across the country a second chance to earn their diplomas as Excel Centers in Indiana, Texas, Washington DC, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas continue to thrive.
The mission of The Excel Center is to transform adult lives through the power of achieving a high school diploma and accessing post-secondary education and careers in growing, sustainable local industries. Classes are offered at an accelerated pace in 10-week terms.
