The State Library of North Carolina is offering opportunity youth living in Halifax, Hertford, Northampton and Wayne counties scholarships to earn a high school diploma through Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School. The program, provided to public libraries by Gale, part of Cengage Group, is designed to help adults obtain their high school diploma entirely online, as well as prepare them for college or the workplace and is a collaboration between the State Library of North Carolina and local public libraries in participating counties.
In North Carolina, one in nine youth aged 16-24 are considered opportunity youth and are disconnected from formal education and employment. These years represent a critical period in the transition to adulthood and youth who are cut off from school and employment lose access to needed social support and experiences that can help them build a path to the future. Excel Adult High School offers a unique environment for non-traditional learners to return to school, including a fully online experience, 24/7 tutoring, and a success coach. Offering this program in partnership with public libraries allows young adults to restart their education in a supportive environment and help move past challenges they may have encountered in the traditional school setting.
Additional features of the program include:
● The accredited high school diploma is accepted by colleges, employers, and the military (not an equivalency exam).
● The 21.5-credit curriculum is aligned to national standards. Learners can select from more than 100 core academic, elective, and college-level courses.
● There’s no cost to eligible students.
● The program is 100% online, with 24/7 access to courses.
● The schedule is flexible and self-paced — learners can finish in 24 months or less. Students can graduate sooner with transfer credits.
● Transfer credits are accepted from previous high school(s) and passed portions of the GED®, HiSet®, or TASC exams.
● Unlimited one-on-one tutoring sessions and support from success coaches is offered.
● Course translations and read-aloud tools for English language learners are available.
● Students can earn up to 21 free college credits through ACE (American Council on Education) courses.
● The counseling team can assist with course selection, college planning, and career guidance.
State Library staff will also work with local libraries to provide additional library programming and connect scholarship recipients to community organizations and resources. Graduation ceremonies will be held locally for graduates to celebrate their achievements with family and friends and community leaders.
Applications will be accepted starting Aug. 15 until all available scholarships have been awarded. Eligible North Carolinians can apply or learn more about Excel Adult High School in North Carolina by visiting: https://www.excelhighschool.org/library/slnc
This program was supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-252476-OLS-22).
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.