Dec. 15, 2022
Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) and Gale/Cengage Learning to offer five Tulsa County residents the opportunity to earn their high school diploma for free through Excel High School. 29-year-old Jasmine Edmundson was one of the first to seize the opportunity and is now a high school graduate.
Edmundson’s stepfather saw an ad for Excel High on the news and informed her of it right away. She had been wanting to earn her high school diploma for some time but as a mother of six, she needed flexible options. “Being able to be at home and work on my assignments to complete my diploma was excellent because I don’t always have the time to go take classes.” Furthermore, Edmondson stated that the Excel High application process was one of the easiest she’d seen. She followed the necessary steps to apply for the program and within a week was contacted by the library about having been awarded the program scholarship.
A driven and self-sufficient individual, Edmundson said it was important for her to receive her diploma because she wanted to show her children that anything is possible and to never give up. “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse or teacher, and now I’m finally taking those steps. I have enrolled in TCC in the nursing program, and I have now received a higher paying job because I have my diploma.” Through her efforts, she is already making positive changes that are impacting her life – and her family’s.
In addition to the flexibility in completing the program online and at home, Edmundson said all the tools and support needed to succeed were readily available. “Everything was done through Canvas, and it was an excellent program. I felt that I had all the info I needed to complete my courses, and there was always someone there to help along the way with questions or assistance."
Those who complete the Excel High School program receive a diploma from a federally accredited, state-recognized high school. This online, self-paced program offers courses 24/7 to fit any schedule. Students are given up to 24 months to complete the program, the length of which varies depending on each student's learning pace, availability and possible transfer credits. Jasmine Edmundson needed to complete six courses in order to earn her diploma, and she did so in just a few months.
For more information about Excel High, call 918-549-7400.
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