Adult Education
We help community members, age 16+, who want to
- develop better English language, literacy, and life skills
- earn a secondary (high school) equivalency certificate
- transition into post-secondary (after high school) education
Director of Adult Education: We are fortunate to have various staff members who speak a variety of languages. If your native language is not English, we can provide support, most likely, in your native language. Feel free to give us a call, send us an email, and we'll work on responding to you as quickly as possible.
What we'll do is get you registered for an appointment to complete a placement test along with an intake form, followed by another appointment that includes an orientation and class selection. We are enrolling for fall, spring, and summer terms. We generally start two to three months before that term begins.
Adult education courses are open to students who live or work in McHenry County. And if you live outside of the county, we can connect you with a program where you can learn English, complete your HSE or find a bridge or ICAPS program.
Adult Education Registration Information
- We recommend starting the registration process one to two months before classes begin.
- Registration occurs twice a year in July/August and December/January.
- All new students must attend an orientation with the Adult Education department.
Adult Education students receive support from their instructors, adult literacy tutors, and bilingual adult education staff members to connect them with college departments and employment support.
Students must register with the Adult Education Department. Call (815) 455-8752 to schedule an appointment or for more information.
Adult Education Programs
Adult Education classes and programs are non-credit, tuition-free, and part-time for community residents, including:
Improve spoken and written skills to help non-native speakers learn to navigate everyday conversations and situations.
- Digital Literacy
- Bridge to U.S. Citizenship
- Bridge to Careers
- Bridge to Healthcare
- Bridge to Business Technologies
- Bridge to Manufacturing
- Conversation Courses (rotating schedule of topics)
The Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) supports Adult Education students seeking workforce training for specific occupations.
Adult Education Program Eligibility
You are eligible to participate in Adult Education if you:
- Are 16 years of age or older.
- Hold a visa status other than B1, B2, F1, F2, J1, or J2.
- Are not in the United States for a short-term visit.