Gary Middle College provides a chance at redemption
David K. Jones
GEO Foundation
Andrea Solis needed to pass her End-of-Course Assessment (formerly ISTEP test) to graduate with her high school diploma in 2007. She had earned all of her required credits, kept a good attitude towards completing homework, but the ECA was one hill she could not climb as a high school student. Andrea discovered Gary Middle College in 2015 during a job search. She received information on the school and immediately went to fill out an application.
“The teachers are super nice.” Andrea says. “They help you with anything, even if you decide to take college courses, they are there for you.”
Andrea loves the opportunity she has with Gary Middle College, she intended to obtain her General Equivalency Diploma but had her heart set on redeeming her high school diploma. She enrolled into GMC and into Ivy Tech Community College for Certified Nursing Assistant courses. After earning 15 credits at Gary Middle College and two from Ivy Tech, her plans were put on hold in 2016 after she gave birth to a boy late in the year.
Andrea is still adamant that she will be back to finish her high school diploma. She even plans to start the early childhood education program once she returns. “This is not the end, I will be back.” Andrea says. With no timetable set for graduating from GMC, Andrea desires to complete the early childhood education program at Ivy Tech because of her love for children. Andrea also would like to finish her ongoing CNA program because she feels that it is different.