The Excel Adult High School recently celebrated its 2025 graduation ceremony with 21 students receiving diplomas.
Held at St. Louis Public Library’s Central branch, the annual event honored the achievements of adult learners who graduated from the nationally accredited, online self-paced diploma program.
“This graduation is a celebration of persistence, determination and the belief that it’s never too late to reach your goals,” said Patrick Ploch, Adult Outreach supervisor. “We are so proud of these graduates who worked tirelessly to earn their diplomas, often while balancing jobs, families and other responsibilities.”
The program is open to St. Louis City residents, ages 25 and older, who have completed at least eighth grade. Applicants must have or be willing to apply for a St. Louis Public Library card. A limited number of scholarships are available to qualifying applicants.
Students have up to 24 months to complete 21.5 credits required for graduation. Depending on transfer credits from former high schools or portions of the GED/HiSET, some participants finish in as little as three to six months, though the average completion time is about 12 months.
“The success of the 2025 graduating class reflects both the determination of the students and the library’s commitment to lifelong learning and educational access for all,” according to Ploch.
This article originally appeared here.