“I've learned a lot more in the Adult High School program than I did in public school and my grades have shot up dramatically.”

Joshua Roddy
Adult High School

Joshua Roddy is more than just a Forsyth Tech student-he's a big-time fan of the school. Asked why he wanted to tell the world his story, Joshua didn't hold back in expressing his feelings. "I wanted to testify for the school, because I really love it, and it's been a great thing for me," he said.

Joshua is a student in Forsyth Tech's Adult High School program, and it has been, in his words, "the perfect program for me. No other program has really suited me better and it's been nothing but a good experience working with the coordinators and my teachers."

Joshua left school in the 9th grade because, he says, "I just couldn't adapt to the social environment, and I was having trouble concentrating. I couldn't put my full focus toward my school work like I needed to." But he knew it was important to get an education, so he went to Forsyth Tech "to see what they had as far as getting a high school diploma, or the equivalent. They gave me two options: the GED or a high school diploma. Of course I wanted the high school diploma, so that's what I chose to do-the Adult High School program."

Joshua's parents supported his decision. "My mom is the one who really got behind me and encouraged me to do this program," he says. "My parents have supported me my whole way through school."

Joshua has been in the program for two years now, and the results speak for themselves. "I've learned a lot more in the Adult High School program than I did in public school and my grades have shot up dramatically. Now that I'm in this, I'm making A's and B's."

For the most part, Joshua has taken online courses, which has allowed him to work at his own pace. "I've been able to work independently," he says. "I have time to comprehend what I'm reading and the work that I'm doing. And that helps me out a whole lot." But taking online courses doesn't mean he's totally on his own. "If you're having trouble with any of your classes, you can call them or you can come in to do tutoring," he says.

With just a few classes to go, Joshua plans to graduate Adult High School in the fall of 2009. His next step? "I'm hoping to re-enroll back at Forsyth Tech and get an associate's degree in Computer Programming, and then hopefully get a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science." His ultimate goal is to be a software engineer.

And to reach that goal, Joshua knows the first step is a good education, so he's making the most of his opportunities at Forsyth Tech. "I really want to get the full potential out of my education, so I'm taking my time with my work and getting the full benefit," he says. "I'm really pushing myself to do the best I can."