Why it works:

• Online Platform—Our intuitive platform makes it easy for students to access courses anytime, anywhere. 
• Self-paced Classes—Busy adults can spend time on coursework according to their schedules. Generally, 8–10 hours per week is recommended.
• Curriculum—The core academic curriculum is aligned to national standards.
• Advising—The success coaching/counseling team will assist with course selection and college planning or career guidance.
• ELL Friendly—English language learners can read content side by side in both English and their native language as well as choose to have it read aloud. 

• Unlimited Online Tutoring—Live, built-in student tutoring through the Train the Brain program.

• Transfer Credits Accepted—Students can earn credit for courses completed at other accredited high schools, homeschools, or successfully passed portions of the GED^®, HiSET^®, or TASC.

The curriculum is composed of 21.5 credits (15.5 academic and 6 electives). Adult learners can transfer credit for courses completed at other accredited high schools, homeschools, colleges, or successfully passed portions of the GED^®, HiSET^®, or TASC. Program participants can select from more than 100 standard, elective, and college-level courses that are all available online. To stay current and respond to various learning needs, the school updates and launches new courses regularly. 
 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• English (4 credits)
• Math (3 credits)
• Science (3 credits)
• Social Studies (3.5 credits)
• Health/PE (1 credit)
• Art (1 credit)
• Electives (6 credits)

CORE COURSES: (15.5 CREDITS)
ENGLISH (4 Credits)

• English 9
• English 10
• English 11 American Literature
• English 12 British Literature
• Public Speaking
   

MATH (3 CREDITS)

• Math Models and Applications
• Consumer Math
• Integrated Algebra (pre-algebra)
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II
• Pre-Calculus
   

SCIENCE (3 CREDITS)

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Physical Science
   

SOCIAL STUDIES (3.5 CREDITS)

• U.S. History
• World History
• U.S. Government
• Economics
   

HEALTH/PE (1 CREDIT)

• Health and Fitness
   

FINE ARTS (1 CREDIT)

• Music Appreciation
• Art History
• History of Jazz Music
• Digital Photography

ELECTIVES: (6 CREDITS)

BUSINESS ELECTIVES

• Introduction to Business
• Finance
• Introduction to Accounting
• Business Management
• Marketing
   

TECHNOLOGY ELECTIVES

• Introduction to Computer Applications - STEM
• Computer Engineering - STEM
• Biotechnology
• Introduction to Tech Science - STEM
• Electrical Engineering - STEM
• Mechanical Engineering - STEM
• Chemical Engineering - STEM
• Introduction to Coding
   

GENERAL ELECTIVES

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Music Appreciation
• History of Jazz Music
• Digital Photography
• Life Skills
• Sports Science
• Astronomy
• Sports Medicine
• Forensic Science
• SAT Prep Verbal & Math
   

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

• Spanish I
• Spanish II
• French I
• French II
   

COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES

• ACE English Composition I
• ACE American Literature I
• ACE College Algebra
• ACE Sociology
• ACE U.S. History
• ACE American Government
• ACE Biology

Excel Adult High School is accredited by Cognia, the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC). View their accreditation profile.

Cognia is a nationally recognized accrediting agency dedicated to advancing excellence in education worldwide. The agency provides accreditation, research, and professional services to 34,000 schools and school systems—employing more than 4 million educators and enrolling more than 20 million students—across the United States and 70 other nations.

Excel Adult High School is affiliated with the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. See MSA-CESS for more details.

Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation is designed to help educational institutions raise their ongoing performance efforts for the benefit of students:

• Credit Recovery—Transfer high school credits easily from one accredited school to another.
• Official Diploma—Earn a diploma from an institution that is nationally recognized as part of a quality school system.
• Access to Education—Gain greater access to federal loans, scholarships, postsecondary education, and some military programs that require that applicants attended an accredited institution.
• Commitment to Excellence—Receive the benefit of the institution or educational systems commitment to raising student performance and accountability. 

This experience is designed to create an environment of academic, career, and technical support that will increase engagement and show the benefits of your library’s investment.

Successful Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School candidates will:

• Learn about the program through your library’s student recruitment efforts, including your customized website.
• Meet the initial requirements for the program, such as age and residency within your library's service area. 
• Deicide if online learning is right for them. Can they spend 8-10 hours per week on coursework? Do they have access to a computer and internet service?  Will they utilize the built-in tools and services available when they need support?
• Enroll in and successfully complete the two-week prerequisite Life Skills course.
• Request a scholarship for enrollment into the full 21.5-credit program.
• Receive a scholarship award from your library based on your customized student-qualifying process.
• Complete coursework.
• Graduate with an accredited high school diploma.

Training and Program Implementation

Our adult education specialist will partner with your library as you engage and enroll participants in the prerequisite courses and award scholarships into the full program. Gale provides:

• Program implementation assistance and training for all designated library staff.
• Dedicated account management throughout the partnership.
• Access to a Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School library community, where you can share best practices and gain support from other libraries offering the program.
• Ongoing reports to help you monitor success.

Recruitment and Marketing Support

Gale offers a comprehensive marketing and student recruitment package to help your library achieve success with Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School. Our adult education specialist and marketing staff will work closely with your library to customize a variety of student recruitment tools, which may include some of the items below or additional resources, as needed:

• Customized student recruitment website
• Print promotions
• Community outreach
• Public relations
• Market research
• Facebook group and best practices guide
• Student and graduate success stories   
• Digital marketing collateral

See What Librarians Are Saying About Excel Adult High School

“I want to make sure I share just how absolutely fulfilling it is to offer this program to our patrons. When interviewing patrons for scholarships, you learn about all of the challenges and barriers they faced trying to get their high school diplomas. It is humbling to be a part of their journey and to witness them in their caps and gowns at the graduation ceremony. This program is an investment that pays dividends beyond what we put into it via funding or managing the program. Furthermore, managing the program is easy because of the amazing support team at Gale. I guess I am a bit biased toward this program because I have witnessed the joy of our graduates and it is remarkable.”   

— Ricqui Brooks, Adult Literacy Coordinator,  St. Louis County Library 

“This has been one of the most impactful platforms/resources we've ever offered to our customers. It truly changes their lives—their earning potential, career choices, and their self-confidence. The program is well designed and internal customer service is outstanding.” 

— Modern Library Awards Judge

“This is a great product that allows libraries to assist those who want a high school diploma but struggle with testing or a traditional "night class" approach. There are also opportunities to partner with other funding agencies to purchase scholarships for students. Another benefit is getting credits for years of high school completed and any equivalency tests already passed.” 

— Modern Library Awards Judge

Here's What Graduates are Saying

“There are no words to describe how this program has changed my life. Kelly and Brett are an amazing team along with all the other teachers. This program is 100 percent worth it. If you’re interested in finishing your H.S. Diploma, check with your public libraries for a scholarship. My library helped me through all the steps. I stumbled across this program, and it took me four months but I'm so glad I did it. Thanks Excel High School. You rock!!!”

— Tracey Rohr, Graduate, Carthage (MO) Public Library

“This opportunity completely changed my life forever. This school provides so much assistance to help you succeed and graduate. The courses are at your own pace, so you don't feel rushed to complete them. All my life from the age of 25 I tried to get my diploma. But I couldn't pass the GED test or night school. Excel High School helped me accomplish my dream and show my kids that as long as you don't give up, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Thank you, Excel High School, for the opportunity. I will never forget this for the rest of my life. I 5,000,000,000% recommend this school.”

— Christine Ingram, Graduate, Boston Public Library

“These days you need a high school diploma to get hired anywhere, so it has opened a lot of career doors for me. I’m considering picking up a trade in the medical field. Joining the program has honestly been the best decision I ever made.”

— Brittany Smullin, Graduate, Rollings Hills (MO) Public Library

“I never thought that I would find a program that actually fits me, everything was self paced. The courses were structured completely right, and whenever I had questions about anything I was able to get answers. Without Excel High School Program I don’t think I would have gotten my high school diploma. I’m very grateful and appreciate the opportunity to do it.  It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend the Excel High School Program."

— Graduate, Enoch Pratt Free Library