For many parents who did not finish high school earlier in life, returning and earning a diploma can feel like a goal that belongs to the past. Between work, childcare, and the everyday responsibilities of raising a family, returning to school may seem impossible. Owned and operated by Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, The Excel Center exists to reduce these concerns by offering adults age 18 and older a second chance to earn a high school diploma through a tuition-free, in-person adult high school program while simultaneously working to lessen the burden many of these barriers may cause.
Earning a diploma is more than a personal accomplishment. When children see a parent return to school, overcome challenges, and work toward graduation, they learn that education and personal goals remain possible at any stage of life. That example can inspire children to value their own education while helping create new opportunities for the entire family.
The Excel Center is designed around the realities adult learners face. Students can access flexible scheduling, academic and life coaching, on-site childcare, transportation assistance, and industry-recognized certifications. These services are designed to remove common barriers and help students prepare for stronger career opportunities. Since opening in 2022, the Goodwill Excel Center in Arizona has awarded more than 460 high school diplomas and professional certifications to deserving students.
For families in Surprise, Glendale, Peoria, El Mirage, and throughout the Valley, The Excel Center can be the starting point for a new family story. A diploma can open doors to further education, new skills, and better employment opportunities, but its impact does not stop with the graduate. It can strengthen a household, inspire the next generation, and show children what is possible when someone they love chooses to take a second chance.
Learn more at ExcelCenterAZ.org to see if Goodwill’s no-cost educational program is right for you or someone you know.
