Columbia Goodwill Excel Center has handed out 147 high school diplomas since 2019

Columbia's Goodwill Excel Center is prepared for another group of students on Aug. 14, said director Mike Reynolds.

Individuals can register online.

Since it opened in October 2019, the center in downtown Columbia has awarded diplomas to 147 adults, Reynolds said.

"We provide adult students over age 21 with a second chance for a high school diploma," Reynolds said.

There's no cost, he said.

The diplomas are the same diplomas high school graduates get, he said.

Most of the center's teachers are retired teachers from area school districts, he said. He's a retired superintendent himself.

The Goodwill Excel Center offers a child daycare including a playground for students with children. It has agreements with GoCoMo Transit for transportation to and from the school. It also has a minivan to pick up students.

"I think it's incredible," Reynolds said. "It's a chance for adults who never thought they would have the opportunity to graduate from high school."

The time it takes a student to graduate depends on the level of education they have achieved and the amount of time they can dedicate to it, Reynolds said.

"For some, it takes less than a year," he said. "Sometimes it takes two or three years."

The school has five terms in a year with each term lasting eight weeks, Reynolds said.

While students are at the center, they also get job training.

"Our goal is to get everyone into the workforce," Reynolds said.

It offers industry-recognized credentials for some medical careers. It also offers apprenticeships with some industries. It also has agreement with Columbia College, Moberly Area Community College and State Fair Community College.

The Goodwill Excel Center is located at 101 N. Fourth St. Other Goodwill Excel Centers are in Springfield, St. Louis and Poplar Bluff.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-179. He's on Twitter at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Excel Center enables adults to earn no-cost high school diplomas