Catching up with Excel Academy of Roseland 2019 valedictorian

Since graduating from the Excel Academy of Roseland three years ago, Kewhawn George hasn’t stopped furthering his education or finding ways to better himself. His strong dedication to self-improvement is something he credits the staff at Excel for helping him embrace. Before enrolling at the Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, George spent seven years away from school after dropping out. But in 2017, he was tired of sitting around with nothing productive to fill his time. When his sister mentioned her interest in the Excel Academy, George decided to take control of his [...]

Catching up with Excel Academy of Roseland 2019 valedictorian2022-07-18T11:57:01-04:00

Excel Academy students overcome struggles to graduate and achieve academic dreams

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Imagine the feeling of setting a goal you thought was unrealistic – only to achieve it despite huge odds. Dozens of grads at the Excel Academy schools did just that. CBS 2's Steven Graves met some of the students who are getting a second chance to achieve their academic dreams. The graduation ceremony for the multiple Chicago campuses of Excel Academy was held at Christ Universal Temple, 11901 S. Ashland Ave. At the ceremony, each tear shed is a heavy emotional release. There is joy, fear, shock, and happiness from students - or even a grandmother who could [...]

Excel Academy students overcome struggles to graduate and achieve academic dreams2022-06-10T12:30:22-04:00

SESI Alumnus and Student Mentor Discusses Personal Journey in Chalkbeat Essay

Raynard Gillespie, an alumnus and program mentor at Excel Academy of Englewood in Chicago, wrote a personal essay featured in Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization reporting on education across America. Raynard shares his journey of dropping out of school in ninth grade and then returning to high school at age 19 and graduating from Excel Academy. "At this new school, the teachers and staff didn’t give up on me and always pushed me to improve. If my classmates or I got a C, they helped us work toward a B, and then toward an A. Having someone in my corner [...]

SESI Alumnus and Student Mentor Discusses Personal Journey in Chalkbeat Essay2022-01-28T16:15:44-05:00