This Mom Proves It’s Never Too Late to Learn

Privately funded scholarships ensure that Massachusetts residents, 19 years and older, can earn their high school diploma.

When Christina Ingram became a young mother, she was forced to leave high school to care for her son. Despite many obstacles, Ingram was determined to earn her diploma — and when she stopped by the Boston Public Library (BPL), the opportunity finally came when she saw a flyer for Excel Adult High School.

Initially, Ingram was worried the program wouldn’t work for her. However, after researching it and speaking with a Library staff member she started to believe it might be the right fit.

“I was so busy, but I had to get my high school diploma because my main goal was to teach my kids that no matter how old you are, you can do it,” Ingram explains. “I’m 39, and I’m showing them that you just don’t give up.”

“The benefits of Excel Adult High School are just astronomical,” says Jess Elias, Community Learning Supervisor at the BPL. “One of my favorite things to do here is talk to students about this program. It’s a pathway to something that’s really life changing.”

Excel Adult High School is both flexible (100 percent online and self-paced) and highly supportive, connecting students with success coaches, tutors, instructors, school administrators, and Library staff who care about each student’s success. This year, there is no cost to students. Full scholarships have been awarded to all enrolled students thanks to the generosity of Michelle and Henry Nasella through the Boston Public Library Fund.

While the program gave Ingram an opportunity to earn her high school diploma, the experience gave her something equally valuable: confidence in herself and her abilities.

“Before, I had such low self-esteem about not having my education,” she says. “Now, I feel really good about myself. Without this opportunity, I’ll be honest: I probably never would’ve gotten my high school diploma.”

The Excel Adult High School program is available through a partnership with Gale, a part of Cengage group. Christina’s story was provided by Gale Presents and edited for length.

Michelle and Henry Nasella generously funded full scholarships for 50 students to attend Excel Adult High School.

“Education is the pathway to success,” says Henry, “and this program is an option for those who can’t earn a traditional high school diploma. My own father completed his high school education through the Marine Corps in World War II, so I’ve always appreciated that there are many ways to achieve the same result.”

Community Learning Librarian Jennifer Adams supports students interested in Excel Adult High School by providing guidance on enrolling, spaces to study, and access to technology.

Their Future. Our Responsibility.

Whether they log in online or visit their local branch, more than 3,000 students benefit from the Boston Public Library’s summer reading programming each year. This deep commitment to summer learning was recently highlighted when the Library signed the Urban Libraries Council’s statement on equity in summer learning:

As public library leaders, we are resolved to bring about educational and social equity… summer learning programs play a crucial role in equitably reaching all children through intentional, systemic, and transformative library-school-community partnerships.

“Summer learning loss is a reality for many students,” says Paula Sakey, Executive Director of the Boston Public Library Fund. “Private funding helps prevent the ‘summer slide’ by enabling the Library to provide summer programs at all 26 locations – ensuring that children in every Boston neighborhood have access to innovative and high-quality learning opportunities when school is not in session.”

In 2022, the Boston Public Library Fund raised $29,000 for summer learning which allowed the Library to distribute take-home activities and books to help establish home libraries. Fundraising efforts for summer 2023 will kick off later this spring.