Wed. Feb 12th, 2025

Marion Excel Center hosts open house

By Anna Ohashi Jan 24, 2025

On Jan. 22, the Marion Excel Center held an open house for potential students who are interested in continuing their high school education. 

The Excel Center is an organization started by Goodwill that provides free high school education for adults. The Marion location opened in April 2024.

This program helps adult students resume their high school education and receive their high school diploma.  

Antonio Martinez, a current student at the Excel Center, said “I love the program and the way they help you. They want to see you succeed.” 

Martinez originally stopped school to raise his kids. He chose to go back to pursue his aspirations of getting a diploma and attending college.

“It’s not just about the education part. It’s about the whole wrap-around service approach,” Director Jenny Grant said.

The Excel Center is open to anyone 17 and older who does not have a high school diploma. Grant said that the goal of the open house was to remind the community that the Excel Center is here for students whenever they are ready.

Life coach Jennifer Cappoli said many students have responsibilities that can deter them from obtaining their diplomas. Cappoli acts as a guidance counselor, therapist and resource provider for students. 

“We’ll help as much as we can to fill those gaps to keep them attending,” Cappoli said. 

In order to fill gaps, the center offers free childcare, transportation assistance, life coaches and career services. They are also in the process of developing a relationship with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide more resources to their students. 

The Excel Center holds classes Monday through Thursday, and students can fit them around their schedules. They operate as an accelerated program, and each semester is eight weeks.