What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 3pm Tuesday 8am - 3pm Wednesday 8am - 3pm Thursday 8am - 3pm Friday 8am - 3pm

McDowell Education Center

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United States
Columbus, IN
McDowell Education Center

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McDowell Education Center offers Adult Education, Alternative High School programming, C4 Cosmetology We are open Monday-Thursday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Adult Education info found at: https://sites.google.com/bcsc.k12.in.us/mcdowelledu/home

We’re proud to be an official HiSET® Public Testing Site at McDowell Adult Education! If you’re ready to earn your High School Equivalency (HSE) credential, we’re here to help you reach your goals. Our staff provides guidance and support to help you prepare, schedule, and successfully complete your HiSET exam.

10/19/2026

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: Welcome Back to McDowell!

As we welcome our students back from Fall Break, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on one of the wonderful people who makes McDowell Adult Education feel like more than a school — Nicole Moore, one of our amazing Adult ELL teachers!

With more than 10 years of experience teaching English to adult learners, Nicole brings a love of languages, a passion for helping others, and a deep appreciation for the many cultures represented in her classroom.

What does Nicole love most about teaching adult English learners?

“The adult ELLs are the most dedicated and hard-working students. I also tremendously enjoy the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and learn about many different cultures.”

For Nicole, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing students use their English beyond the classroom — whether they’re making phone calls, communicating with their children’s schools, ordering food, or gaining the confidence to pursue a job promotion.

Her message to students who feel nervous about learning English is one we hope everyone carries with them:

“A person who takes on a new language and a new culture is something to be proud of rather than embarrassed about.”

And her advice for the journey?

Be patient with yourself. Learning a language takes time and consistency. The things that feel difficult today will become easier with practice.

Outside the classroom, Nicole loves reading, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her family. She’s also the proud mom of four grown children and enjoys taking a dance class every Tuesday!

Nicole describes the ELL program in three words: Supportive, Fun, and Important. When she talks about McDowell, she says she feels blessed to be part of a team that helps people do better for themselves and their community.

Nicole, thank you for the care, encouragement, and dedication you bring to our students. We’re so happy to have you as part of the McDowell family!

Welcome back, students! Remember, every new word, every conversation, and every small step forward is progress. We’re here to support you, celebrate your growth, and cheer you on along the way!

10/08/2026

🍂 FALL BREAK REMINDER! 🍂

Fall Break is almost here!

There will be no classes from October 12 through October 16.
Classes will resume on Monday, October 19.

We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break!

See you back in class on October 19!

10/07/2026

Here at McDowell, we are so proud of our students and all they accomplish!

Every milestone, every challenge overcome, and every dream achieved is something worth celebrating.
We are honored to be part of their journey!

Your success is our success!

10/06/2026

Learning Goes Beyond the Classroom!

This week, our McDowell Adult Education students had the opportunity to welcome Captain Mike from the Columbus Fire Department for two days of learning, conversation, and hands-on community connection!

Captain Mike shared his experience, talked about fire safety and the work of our local firefighters, answered questions, and gave our students a chance to learn directly from someone who serves our community.

And the best part? Our students absolutely loved it! We saw smiles, curiosity, lots of questions, and so much excitement throughout both days.

At McDowell, we believe education is about more than books and classrooms. It’s about connecting our students with their community, creating meaningful experiences, and helping them feel that they belong.

A huge THANK YOU to Captain Mike for giving his time, sharing his knowledge, and making such a meaningful impact on our students. We are so grateful for community partners who help us make learning come alive!

This is what makes McDowell special.
We are more than a school — we are a community.

09/16/2026

Celebrating Adult Education & Family Literacy Week!

This week, we’re celebrating something that happens every day at McDowell Adult Education: learning that changes lives.

Our students are building English skills, working toward their HSE diplomas, gaining new career skills, and becoming more confident in their everyday lives — and every step forward matters.

But literacy is about more than a classroom.
It’s about being able to help your children with homework.
It’s about filling out a job application with confidence.
It’s about understanding your community.
It’s about opening doors to new opportunities.

And most importantly, it’s about knowing that you are never too old to learn, grow, and dream bigger.

This week, we’re proud to celebrate our students and the families they represent. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey!

Here are a few moments from our McDowell family!

09/14/2026

Staff Spotlight: Taylor Beller

Today we are excited to highlight Taylor Beller, Adult Education Coordinator at McDowell!

Taylor began her journey in education as a third-grade teacher, inspired by an educator who once believed in her and helped shape the educator she would become. While she loved teaching, she discovered that what she loved most was building relationships, believing in people, and helping them figure out what comes next.

That passion eventually led her to adult education.

Taylor says one of the most rewarding parts of her role is watching students walk through our doors unsure of what they are capable of, and then seeing their goals become reality. She knows that returning to school as an adult takes courage and determination — and she wants every student to know that simply showing up is something to be proud of.

One story from her first year in adult education has stayed with her. A father in his 60s came to school because he wanted his daughter to earn her diploma. He worked hard, earned his diploma, and his daughter later enrolled herself. The following year, he proudly attended her graduation.

“That is exactly what adult education is about.”

When asked to describe McDowell in three words, Taylor chose: Opportunity. Resilience. Community. And we think those words perfectly capture what McDowell is all about.

Outside of work, Taylor is a busy mom to Cooper, Hardy, and baby Ryan. She has also visited 7 countries!

Her message to anyone thinking about coming to McDowell is simple:

“Just walk through the door. You don’t have to have the rest figured out yet. That is what we are here for.”

Taylor, thank you for believing in our students, supporting our team, and helping make McDowell a place where everyone knows they belong. We are so grateful to have you as part of the McDowell family!

09/10/2026

Success Story: Katia Teichroeb

Katia Teichroeb, originally from Mexico, arrived in the United States in 2022, embracing the move as an opportunity for growth, learning, and discovering a new culture. She became involved in her community by exploring new places and volunteering at a local animal shelter.

In October 2024, Katia enrolled in the English Language Learning (ELL) program at McDowell. With the support of her instructor, Michelle Newland, she improved her English skills while building meaningful connections with classmates from different cultures.

Inspired by her progress, Katia transitioned into McDowell’s High School Equivalency (HSE) program one year later. Balancing school, family responsibilities, and other projects was challenging, but McDowell’s flexible hybrid model helped her stay on track. With encouragement from her instructor, Derek Reed, Katia continued pushing herself forward.

In May 2026, her hard work and determination paid off when she proudly earned her HSE diploma—a milestone that brought great pride to Katia and her family.

Today, Katia is continuing her educational journey. Recently accepted into a U.S. college program, she is preparing to pursue her Master’s degree. She credits McDowell with giving her the skills, confidence, and pathway to pursue her dreams.

Words of Inspiration

“Never be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Being willing to learn makes all the difference. Most importantly, believe in yourself and don’t give up.”

Katia’s journey started at McDowell. Yours can, too.

At McDowell Adult Education, we believe every student has the potential to grow, learn, and build a better future.

Whether you are learning English, working toward your HSE diploma, or preparing for your next career step, we are here to support you along the way.

Come be part of the McDowell family and start your journey with us!

Address

2700 McKinley Avenue
Columbus, IN
47201

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 3pm
Tuesday	8am - 3pm
Wednesday	8am - 3pm
Thursday	8am - 3pm
Friday	8am - 3pm

Telephone

+18123764452

Website

https://sites.google.com/bcsc.k12.in.us/mcdowelledu/home

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