The first group of students in the Excel Adult High School program graduated in July. Members of the 29-person cohort enrolled through one of three partner organizations – the Kansas City Public Library, Mid-Continent Public Library, or Literacy KC – and had two years to complete the modules at their own pace. 

“Our patrons have many reasons they may not have graduated from high school, and now they have a chance to walk across the stage in front of family and friends to celebrate this important milestone,” says Wendy Pearson, the Kansas City Public Library’s strategic initiatives manager.

The Excel Adult High School program is available at no cost to cardholders living in the Library’s service area through funds raised by the Library’s philanthropy department. In 2022, this program replaced a similar service called Career Online High School that had been in place for several years.

Previously earned credits from high schools, home schools, and passed portions of the GED (General Educational Development) Test, HiSET (High School Equivalency Test), and TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) can be transferred into Excel.

Applicants must:
•    Be 19 years of age or older.
•    Have successfully finished eighth grade.
•    Fill out the online application.
•    Score 70% or higher in a two-week long prerequisite course.
•    Participate in a short interview.

Pearson says the program has been popular and successful in part because it offers various types of assistance to students, setting them up for a good outcome.
•    Tech To Go will check out computers and hotspots to anyone who needs tech access.
•    Excel courses are available in multiple languages.
•    All students enrolled in Excel will be assigned an academic coach.
•    All students enrolled in the program have access to an online tutor.

Another feature of the program is that students can rack up as many as seven ACE (American Council on Education) courses, earning up to 21 college credits (three per course). Students taking ACE courses receive both high school and college credit. A student must complete the ACE course with a passing grade of 70% or higher. Please see the FAQ page for more details.

Pearson says that the three partner organizations recently funded 60 scholarships, up from 40 in previous years, and will again sponsor at least 60, depending on fundraising success. 

Demand for the program is high with 70 applicants already on the waiting list, so she encourages potential students to email info@excelhskc.org for more information.