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St. Louis County Library offers adults the opportunity to earn a nationally accredited high school diploma online through the Excel Adult High School program.

We provide a limited number of scholarships to qualified adult learners who are looking to expand their career opportunities, prepare for workforce entry or continue their education.

If you’re interested in sponsoring a scholarship, please contact the St. Louis County Library Foundation.

To be considered for the program, applicants must successfully complete an online self-assessment and prerequisite course, followed by a scholarship interview.

The support services team at Excel Adult High School will be with students every step of the way. If academic support is needed, students can schedule time for live, unlimited online tutoring. They also offer career and college planning, which includes the opportunity to jump-start a college degree by taking up to seven college-level ACE (American Council on Education) courses for free. These credits can transfer to many accredited colleges and universities nationwide. Students will be given up to 24 months to complete the program.

Please contact excel@slcl.org for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Excel Adult High School is a nationally accredited online high school diploma and career certification program available through the St. Louis County Library. This program offers free enrollment to a limited number of qualified adult students.

Adult residents of the St. Louis County Library District who are at least 25-years-old, have successfully completed 8th grade and wish to earn their high school diploma. Individuals under the age of 25 should pursue their high school education through existing high school programs. 

Program applications must have a current St. Louis County Library card or be willing to apply for a library card.

No. This is not a GED (General Education Development) program. Successful graduates will earn a high school diploma and a career certification through an accredited high school.

While both the GED and the high school diploma are important, there are several differences between them: among the most significant is the fact that some colleges, institutions, and organizations require a high school diploma and may not accept a GED. In addition to providing a high school diploma, Excel Adult High School prepares students for what comes next—whether that's college, a promotion at work, or a new career.

Yes. Excel Adult High School has English language learner tools built into each course that provide side-by-side translation to many major languages, as well as an audio reader to help students who need help with comprehension.

Students will be given up to 24 months to complete the program, which consists of 21.5 credits. Students accepted into the program may transfer up to 16 credits from their former high school. Depending on how many credits the student is able to transfer, the program can be completed in as few as 3 months. The average time to complete is 12 months. On average, it takes about 3-6 months for adult students to complete a grade level.

Absolutely! Excel Adult High School graduates will earn a state-recognized high school diploma that is accepted by employers, colleges, and the military. Graduates from Excel Adult High School are well prepared for the next stage in life.

Yes, Excel Adult High School offers adult students up to 7 ACE (American Council on Education) courses, which equals 21 college credits (3 credits per course). Students can take an ACE course and receive both high school and college credit.

The library is committed to helping people meet their education and job preparation needs. We encourages you to visit your nearest branch and speak to the staff for more information or check out our personalized learning opportunities.

Complete the online self-assessment. After you have successfully finished the self-assessment, you will be contacted by the library within 3 business days to discuss the prerequisite course. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be contacted by the library within 3 business days to discuss your application into the program and to schedule a scholarship interview.

Library Services
Adults