Virginia marked an important milestone this week with the opening of the Commonwealth’s first adult high school—an innovative program designed to give residents a real second chance at success.
The Excel Center, located at Melrose Plaza in Roanoke, welcomed its first class of more than 50 students. Unlike the GED route, this program allows adults to earn an actual high school diploma in just 18 weeks, with the option to gain industry-recognized certifications that lead directly to in-demand jobs.
Governor Glenn Youngkin, attending the opening, praised the initiative as a powerful way to strengthen families and communities.
“Some just need that first big step,” Youngkin said. “A high school diploma, their first credential, can open up an entirely new future. That’s what we’re seeing here in Roanoke.”
A Hand Up, Not a Handout
The school—backed by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys—is tuition-free and comes with support services like childcare, transportation assistance, and career coaching. These tools help remove barriers so adults can focus on completing their education and getting back into the workforce.
For students like Porsche Calloway, who enrolled alongside her sister, the program represents not just a diploma, but a chance to rewrite her future.
“For me, this is serious. It’s something I’ve always wanted to finish,” Calloway said.
Her sister, Rosa Calloway-Hudson, shared that after years of putting her siblings first and overcoming personal struggles, she’s ready to seize this opportunity.
Tackling Poverty Through Education
The need is clear: more than 500,000 Virginians lack a high school diploma or GED, including 14,000 in the Roanoke Valley alone. Richmond Vincent Jr., president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, called the program a way to “disrupt poverty at its core” by equipping adults with real tools for economic independence.
Research backs the model. Graduates of the Excel Center earn nearly 40% more within five years, proving that education paired with workforce readiness pays off.
Strong Demand and Growth Ahead
Enrollment is year-round, and interest is high: more than 200 people applied to join the inaugural class. The Roanoke center can serve up to 300 students at a time, with hopes of expanding across Virginia.
Governor Youngkin called the school “a model for the future” and expressed optimism about scaling it statewide.
“I believe this will be wildly successful. And when it is, we’ll take this model across the Commonwealth.”
For students like Calloway, the payoff is clear:
“The future looks bright—with lots and lots of cash in it,” she said with a smile.
