There's a better way to grow.
If you would like more information on any of our programs.
Building Tomorrow's Opportunities
- Learn English
- Improve Academic Skills
- Career Training
- High School Diploma
Registration is Open
We offer online classes and
in-person classes during the day & evening at
2255 Phil Ward Blvd, Crawfordsville, IN 47933
Our Classes
High School Equivalency Diploma
The High School Equivalency diploma replaces the GED diploma. You will earn your diploma by testing in five subject areas: Math, Writing, Reading, Social Studies, and Science. This exam, called the HiSET test, can be prepared for online or at the CARA building for free. The price of the exam is $180. Scholarships are available if you meet the requirements. To take the exam, you will need a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID at the time of registration. Whether you are our student or not, you can contact us to take the HSE exam.
**If you are under 18 and/or still registered in school, you will need an “Exit Withdrawal” form on file. Contact our office for help!**
Career Training
Through the Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy (CARA), many career certifications that are in high demand may be earned for FREE! As our student, you have access to our certifications such as ParaPro,
Logistics (CLA/CLT) certification , Welding, and many other trainings and certifications around the region and state. Explore your options at CARA!
Learn English
No matter your native language, we can help you learn or improve your English. Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced students are welcomed! Classes are fun and will help you with reading and conversational English. Currently, classes are offered onsite.
Improve Academic Skills
Have you already graduated from high school and need to brush up on your academic skills? Do you need to review some academic skills before entering freshman college courses or a career training? We have the program for you! All classes are free-online or onsite!
Our Staff
Dr. Meredith Boaz
- Director of Adult Education
- mboaz@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3600
Dr. Meredith Boaz holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She began her teaching career in Crawfordsville Schools before becoming the Founder and Head of School at Wabash Early Childhood Academy, a private school located in Crawfordsville, where she served for 14 years.
Dr. Boaz returned to Crawfordsville Schools in 2020 as a district instructional coach. She subsequently accepted the position of Director of Adult Education, where she has discovered a profound passion and dedication to serving adult learners and advancing adult education programs.
Dr. Boaz is the proud mother of two adult daughters and one son-in-law, and grandmother to two granddaughters. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending quality time with friends and family, and engaging in educational research.
Anne Cassady
- HiSet Examiner
- acassady@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3703
A lifelong resident of Lafayette, this educator has served with CARA since 2021. Her career in Adult Education commenced at LARA in 2014, where she initially volunteered to support graduation ceremonies and United Way campaigns.
Following her volunteer work, she was hired to manage special projects and was subsequently selected by Cherry Richardson to address a critical need in LARA Assessment. Under Ms. Richardson’s mentorship, she developed expertise in assessment practices over a three-year period. She then spent six months serving as teaching assistant and office administrator for Bethellen Richardson, supporting programs in Carroll and White Counties.
In 2018, she returned to LARA as Assessment Coordinator and shortly thereafter assumed the position of Regional Assessment Coordinator. Her transition to CARA in 2021 brought her to the role of Assessment Coordinator for the Crawfordsville program.
Adult education has become her professional passion, and she finds great fulfillment in collaborating with dedicated colleagues who share her commitment to student success. She takes particular satisfaction in helping individuals develop confidence in testing situations, overcome educational barriers, and achieve their personal and academic goals.
Cathie Abston
- ELL Teacher
- cabston@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3713
Cathie Abston grew up in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, and pursued her college education in Tennessee, where she met her husband. Following two years of teaching kindergarten in Tennessee, the couple relocated to Indiana shortly before the birth of their daughter.
During her daughter’s early years, Mrs. Abston maintained her commitment to education through various roles, including managing an after-school program, operating a licensed home daycare, and serving as a substitute teacher. She then returned to graduate school, earning a master’s degree from Purdue University.
Mrs. Abston taught for many years in northern Indiana before returning to Crawfordsville, her husband’s hometown, in 2017 when he accepted a pastoral position at a local church. She retired from full-time teaching at New Market Elementary and currently teaches an English class for adult learners at CARA, a role she finds both rewarding and enjoyable.
Bob Roark
- ABE Teacher
- rroark@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3607
Mr. Roark grew up on a small farm in Eastern Indiana and earned his undergraduate degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from Ball State University. He later completed his Master’s degree from Liberty University.
Mr. Roark began his educational career with Indiana Business College, where he served as Executive Director and Adjunct Faculty at the Marion, Indiana campus before advancing to President and Adjunct Faculty at the Indianapolis campus. His career subsequently took him to educational leadership positions in Atlanta, Houston, and Georgia, where he served as High School Principal for a Christian school. He concluded his full-time educational career in Arkansas, where he raised his family.
After several years, Mr. Roark returned to his home state of Indiana and began working as a substitute teacher with the Montgomery County School district. He currently substitutes at Hoover Elementary School and joined CARA in August 2024. Mr. Roark remains passionate about teaching and is committed to helping both elementary students and adult learners achieve their educational goals.
Janene Plunkett
- ABE Teacher
- jplunkett@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3607
Mrs. Plunkett has served as an educator at CARA since 2014, bringing extensive experience from a 30-year career in public schools. Her teaching background encompasses both general education classrooms and Special Education Resource Room settings, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of diverse learning environments.
Mrs. Plunkett’s educational journey began in Crawfordsville schools and continued through higher education, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Indianapolis and her Master of Science degree from Indiana State University.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Mrs. Plunkett enjoys spending quality time with family and reading mystery novels. She also finds pleasure in observing the playful interactions of her three kittens
Mireya Clark
- Administrative Assistant/ ELL Coordinator
- mclark@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3606
Originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, Mrs. Clard has lived on the outskirts of Crawfordsville for approximately 15 years, although she has resided in the United States for much longer. In her home country, she completed most of her high school studies, and after moving to the U.S., she earned her high school equivalency diploma (HiSET).
She also obtained the ParaPro certification and completed courses in Digital Literacy and Introduction to Information Technology (Intro to IT), which provided her with essential skills in technology and computing. Her most recent certification is in MIG welding.
Five years ago she joined CARA, where she has served as the ELL coordinator, ELL instructor, and exam proctor, contributing in many other capacities as well. Recently, she was invited to teach and translate Digital Literacy and Introduction to Information Technology courses for Eleven Fifty Academy—an opportunity that has allowed her to continue growing professionally while sharing her knowledge with the community.
Community involvement is one of her greatest passions. She enjoys making blankets for children at Riley Hospital, packing meals for Kids Against Hunger, and volunteering with the Nourish and Reindeer programs. She has also been a member of Civitan International Club and has supported local Special Olympics events.
In her free time, she enjoys diamond painting, listening to music, playing video games, reading, fishing, and most of all, spending time with her family.
Angie Hale
- HiSET Assessment Coordinator & Chief Examiner
- ahale@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3703
Angie Hale is a lifelong resident of Crawfordsville, having attended Crawfordsville Schools throughout her formative years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Art and Business from the University of Evansville and subsequently completed her Master’s degree in Information Science and Library Science at Indiana University. After residing in Indianapolis and Northwest Indiana for several years, she and her family returned to Crawfordsville in 2011.
Since her return, Mrs. Hale has served the Crawfordsville Community School Corporation in various capacities. She began as a media specialist at Nicholson Elementary and has spent the past eight years as the Elementary Technology Coordinator, overseeing technology integration across all elementary buildings in the district.
In her role as Assessment Coordinator and Chief Examiner at CARA, Mrs. Hale is responsible for scheduling and administering HiSET testing on weekends. She finds great fulfillment in working with adult learners and witnessing their dedication as they pursue their educational goals.
Kerri Warner
- ELL Teacher
- kwarner@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3713
Mrs. Warner teaches English Language Learner (ELL) classes several days and evenings per week at CARA. In addition to her work with adult learners, Mrs. Warner recently retired as an English Language Learner (ELL) instructor at Nicholson Elementary School, bringing expertise in language acquisition to both youth and adult populations.
Jeffrey Lockhart
- Welding Instructor
- jeff.lockhart@southmont.k12.in.us
- 765- 362-2690
Mr. Lockhart serves as a welding instructor for both the CARA program and West Central CTE. He has been actively engaged in the welding profession since graduating from high school in 2012, cultivating welding as a lifelong passion and dedicating himself to excellence in his craft.
Mr. Lockhart holds an AWS (American Welding Society) certificate in destructive testing, demonstrating his commitment to professional development and industry standards. He is enthusiastic about working with students and sharing his knowledge and extensive experience with anyone interested in pursuing welding as a career or skill.
Debra Spangler
- ABE Teacher
- dspangler@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3607
A lifelong Hoosier, Mrs. Spangler was born and raised in Indianapolis and remains a devoted Pacers and Colts fan. After earning degrees in English and Philosophy, she dedicated twenty-five years to teaching middle and high school students before transitioning to CARA, where she currently works with adult education learners.
With a deep conviction that education is the key to a fulfilling life, Mrs. Spangler finds great satisfaction in helping students discover their own potential. Having relocated to the outskirts of Crawfordsville to be closer to family, including children and grandchildren, she has grown to appreciate the community’s welcoming spirit, the natural beauty of Sugar Creek, and the area’s excellent parks and trails.
Janene Plunkett
- ABE Teacher
- jplunkett@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3607
Mrs. Plunkett has served as an educator at CARA since 2014, bringing extensive experience from a 30-year career in public schools. Her teaching background encompasses both general education classrooms and Special Education Resource Room settings, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of diverse learning environments.
Mrs. Plunkett’s educational journey began in Crawfordsville schools and continued through higher education, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Indianapolis and her Master of Science degree from Indiana State University.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Mrs. Plunkett enjoys spending quality time with family and reading mystery novels. She also finds pleasure in observing the playful interactions of her three kittens
Craig Harmon
- ELL Teacher, Logistics Instructor
- charmon@cville.k12.in.us
- (765)362-2690 ext. 3607
Craig Harmon is a lifelong resident of Crawfordsville who attended Crawfordsville Schools and graduated from Wabash College in 1985. He brings over 40 years of professional experience in production control, departmental management, and general management, from which he retired in February 2021.
`In his role at CARA, Mr. Harmon develops instructional programs that prepare students for certification through the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC), a nationally recognized certification organization. The program currently offers certifications in Supply Chain and Logistics, with manufacturing certifications planned for the near future. Mr. Harmon works with both individual students and corporate partners to provide certification opportunities for those seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Mr. Harmon also teaches the Advanced ELL classes at CARA.
Mr. Harmon is enthusiastic about expanding this program and supporting both current workers and entry-level employees as they advance their knowledge and career development.
Kelly Murphy
- Welding Instructor
- kmurphy@nm.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690
Mr. Murphy is a resident of Crawfordsville who was raised in the North Putnam community. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Murphy graduated from Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in 2013 and has accumulated nearly 20 years of industry experience working as a Boilermaker and Iron Worker.
In 2019, Mr. Murphy earned his certification as a Certified Welding Inspector, further expanding his professional qualifications. He has served as a welding instructor at North Montgomery High School through West Central Indiana Career and Technical Education for approximately seven years, where he shares his extensive industry expertise with the next generation of welders.
Mr. Murphy is a proud father of three daughters and enjoys family life in the Crawfordsville community.
Jeremy Lemus
- ELL Teacher
- jlemus@cville.k12.in.us
- 765-362-2690 ext. 3716
Jeremy Lemus teaches English Language Learner classes at Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy. He currently serves as the Sanger Leadership Coordinator at DePauw University, where he works to develop thoughtful, purpose-driven leaders among the student population.
Prior to this role, Mr. Lemus served as Executive Director of the Montgomery County Leadership Academy, an experience that strengthened his commitment to leadership development, community engagement, and capacity building.
A resident of Crawfordsville, Indiana for the past ten years, Mr. Lemus is dedicated to equipping and empowering individuals with the tools, mindset, and confidence necessary for personal and professional success.