It is estimated that more than one million Illinoisans do not have their high school diploma, with nearly 30,000 in Rockford alone. A ribbon cutting for the Goodwill Excel Center, a new adult high school in Rockford was held Wednesday. Located at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA at 200 Y. Blvd., the school will open its doors on September 15 with its first 150 students; and offer ongoing registration every 8 weeks.
The Goodwill Excel Center is the first of its kind in Illinois. Rep. Sosnowski passed legislation back in 2017 allowing for the creation of adult learning education centers to issue high school diplomas. The new law was important because it allows adults who have “aged out” (21 or older) of being able to obtain a high school diploma from a high school to obtain an actual diploma, not a GED.
“The opportunities offered at The Goodwill Excel Center prove that it’s never too late to change the trajectory of your life through education,” Rep. Sosnowski said. “Providing education as well as child care on-site will create a great environment for all adult learners and their families. Congratulations to the Goodwill Excel Center on their dedication to adult learners in our community earning their high school diplomas. We all look forward to your continued growth and success with the new adult high school here in Rockford.”
