Literacy Network and Omega School merger brings more opportunities for all, leaders say

Two alternative education nonprofit organizations in Madison, Omega School and Literacy Network, will merge in 2025.

The two organizations both have a long history of providing education opportunities to people around Dane County. Merging them will expand their collective reach, as students will now be able to "slide" between programs, Literacy Network Executive Director Robin Ryan said.

"Getting to know people and getting to trust an organization is hard," Ryan said. "To be able to move through all the programs of both agencies makes it much clearer and an easier path for students."

Starting on Jan. 1, Omega School will be known as Omega School of Literacy Network.

Omega School serves mostly Madison youth and young adults looking to earn a high school diploma, while Literacy Network offers a wide variety of tutoring opportunities to adults, especially in English language instruction.

So, for example, students of the combined organization will be able to build English skills while also earning their high school equivalency diploma in Spanish. Other students can develop more basic skills through Literacy Network before starting an Omega program to earn their high school diploma.

The two organizations have collaborated on projects in the past, but now "seemed like the right fit and right time" to formally join forces, said Omega School Executive Director Oscar Mireles, who is retiring in December after more than two decades leading the organization.

"We're like a small mom and pop grocery store," he said. "I'm the administrator, and I check the mail, clean the bathrooms. It just put a limit on what I can do. The Literacy Network is only going to enhance what we do."

Once the organizations merge, leaders expect to serve about 1,500 students across the two programs in 2025 with a budget of about $2.6 million.

Omega School will continue to operate out of its building on East Badger Road, which will transfer to Literacy Network ownership. Omega employees will have the opportunity to continue working as instructors.

Ryan plans to hire a program director to lead Omega School of Literacy Network once Mireles retires. The core offerings and instruction model will not change.

"Students go to Omega because they're getting what they need, and it's an environment and a program setup that works for them," Ryan said. "We are trying to maintain that for them."