Available to any Nebraska resident, past the age of 21, who previously participated in credits through an approved high school, but has not earned a high school diploma and is no longer eligible to access public education.
How it Works
The Adult Education Center (AEC) provides a challenging curriculum based on Nebraska’s high school requirements leading students on a pathway to graduation with a regular high school diploma granted through the NE Rule 14 approved, Omaha Street School.
Some learning is through computer-based modules, while other offerings include direct instruction with certified teachers or individually-guided tutoring. Direct Instruction and tutorial support will take place at the Goodwill Headquarters located at 4805 North 72nd Street in Omaha, Nebraska.
Meet a Student –
Maura is currently working toward her high school diploma at the AEC, a goal she says represents a better future for herself and her family. After facing homelessness and addiction, she found support through Bethlehem House while pregnant with her daughter — an experience that helped her begin rebuilding her life. Today, she works as a resident advocate, helping women facing challenges like those she once experienced herself.
After struggling in another program, she found AEC and was struck by how quickly the staff responded and how deeply they cared. What has made the biggest difference, she says, is the center’s in-person, self-paced environment and the encouragement she receives from teachers and mentors who truly want students to succeed. Now on track to graduate in December, Maura is using education to build new opportunities for herself while setting an example for her children that it is never too late to keep going.
Courses for the 2026 School Calendar Include:
Adult Education Center Session Schedule
Orientation: August 1, 2026 | Session 4: August 3 – September 25
Graduation: December 5, 2026
Some courses may require prerequisites. Computers are available for checkout if you do not have access to a laptop.
First Enroll. Then we will contact you to complete an Academic Advancement Plan to determine the classes needed and the time it will take to earn a high school diploma. Depending on the number of high school credits that were already earned your diploma may only be 8 weeks away. We conduct an analysis of your high school transcript and go from there. Classes that were attempted, but not passed can be set up as “credit recovery”. Credits may also be granted for work and life experiences. View our policies and procedures here.
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Donate to AEC |
Allison Meister, Ed.D.| Director of the Adult Education Center Dr. Allison Meister leads Goodwill Omaha’s Adult Education Center (AEC), Nebraska’s first high school exclusively designed for adults age 21 and older. The AEC is a Rule 14 Non‑Public High School, offering adult learners a pathway to earn a regular high school diploma—through a curriculum aligned with Nebraska’s graduation requirements and taught by certified educators. The AEC is built for adults balancing real life. Through a free, flexible, hybrid model, students earn credits through a combination of computer‑based coursework, direct instruction, and individualized tutoring. Before joining Goodwill Omaha, Dr. Meister spent 20 years in public education, serving as a Special Education teacher, Special Education Administrator, Associate Principal, and Middle School Principal. She brings a strong commitment to advocacy, a growth mindset, and a systems‑focused approach to education—skills that allow her to challenge institutional barriers and expand access for adult learners who have historically been underserved. Under Dr. Meister’s leadership, the Adult Education Center represents more than a diploma—it’s a second chance at a first credential, and a powerful example of what’s possible when education is designed around the realities of adult learners. |
