Anderson County Community Education

Program Overview

SWAG (Students With a Goal) is a partnership between Anderson Community Education/Adult Learning Center and the Anderson County Board of Education. The partnership is geared toward students who have not found success in the traditional high school setting. Now in its fourth year, SWAG provides an innovative approach to implementing education (GED or high school diploma) and employment skills necessary to successfully transition into post-secondary or the workforce.

SWAG provides a direct pathway from education to the workforce. Implementation of a high school-to-industry pipeline approach to workforce training will be utilized by bringing together private and public sectors and is essential for Anderson County remaining a Work Ready Community. Students also participate in employment training through a Jobs Academy for gaining the skills necessary to successfully transition into the workforce while working with local businesses to provide the soft skills employers feel are lacking in their employees. SWAG partners with the Board of Education and post-secondary institutions to help those who seek a higher level education successfully enter college or vocational training. Small classes allow for differentiated learning techniques to be utilized for optimal student success rates. Our goal is to ensure that Anderson County maintains a viable workforce and creates a communal relationship between education and the workforce.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

Most of my life, I was in and out of foster care. When I was fifteen, I gave birth to my daughter. Eventually, we both ended up in foster care, but we were together. When I turned 18, I aged out of foster care. Since I had no permanent address, I was not allowed to take my daughter with me. To be able to get her back, I had a list of things I needed to do, including finishing school. I had no address. I did not know how I was expected to go to school from 8:00 to 3:30 every day. I had to work so I could get an apartment: an address. My guidance counselor recommended SWAG. When I did not have a ride to school, someone from the center came picked me up. If I was hungry, there was always something there to eat. When I needed a winter coat, they gave me one. Not only did they help me finish school, but they also helped me learn how to live independently. Now that I have my GED, I was able to get a job and am saving for my own apartment. Hopefully, very soon, I will be able to bring my daughter home. I would not have been able to do this without SWAG.

Abby - 2018