Original Research by School Decision on Excel Center - Southeast
Excel Center - Southeast is a tuition-free public charter high school in Indianapolis, operated by Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana. It serves only grade twelve, and its enrollment is small. The school is a regular public school by type, but its mission and structure are distinct from a typical high school. It is an adult high school, designed for students who are returning to earn a diploma later in life. The school received its charter in 2023 and began serving students that same year, with a reported investment from the city's American Rescue Plan allocation supporting the launch.
The student body is composed entirely of twelfth graders, with a total enrollment that is small for a high school. The demographic makeup is diverse. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population includes a mix of Black, Hispanic, and White students, with smaller numbers of Asian students and students identifying as two or more races. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
State testing data was not available for this school. Because the school serves adult students returning to earn a diploma, the standard academic performance measures that apply to traditional high schools may not be directly comparable. A graduation rate was also not available in the data. The school is a new institution, having opened in 2023, and in its first year it publicly reported graduating a modest number of students.
The school is located on Sloan Avenue on the southeast side of Indianapolis. Housing values in the surrounding area are below the state median, and rents have been rising. The school is a charter school, and it is its own district, operating independently of the larger Indianapolis Public Schools system. The school offers free on-site child care and transportation assistance, which are practical supports for adult students balancing school with work and family responsibilities. It also provides pathways to college credits and industry-recognized certifications alongside the high school diploma.
For a parent or resident considering this school, the key distinction is that Excel Center - Southeast is an adult high school, not a traditional high school for teenagers. Its programs, schedule, and support services are designed for adults who did not complete high school earlier. A family with a school-age child looking for a conventional high school experience would not find that here. The school's relevance is to adults seeking a second chance at a diploma, not to parents choosing a school for a dependent child. The school is new, and its long-term track record is still being established.
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