Adult Education

We offer a variety of free beginning, intermediate, advanced, and multi-level classes that help speakers of other languages improve their ability to speak, listen, read, and write in English. Classes support the development of English and the skills needed for employment and support of children’s education. Classes meet twice a week, usually for two hours. We will offer day and evening ESOL classes in Fall 2020. We expect to offer these classes at First Baptist Church, Smith School, Charter Oak School, Saint John’s Church, and Elmwood Community Center. If you want to improve your English, please submit a Testing Reservation  Form. Once we have your reservation form, we will contact you to schedule a time for testing and registration. Then we will help you find the class that best meets your needs. If you have questions about classes, please call us at 860-561-6900. 

Classes offered at St. John’s Church are also open to adults who live in other towns.

Affirmative Action Policy Statement

West Hartford Adult and Continuing Education is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons and does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (including, but not limited to intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws, nor does it unlawfully discriminate in employment and licensing against qualified persons with prior criminal conviction. Inquiries regarding the department’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to Richard Ledwith, Human Resources Director and Coordinator of ADA and Title 9, at (860) 561-6691 or rick_ledwith@whps.org. Gretchen Nelson, Director of Special Education and 504 Coordinator can be reached at (860) 561-6606 or email gretchen_nelson@whps.org.

We also offer English for Families and Futures*, a special ESOL class for parents with preschool children. This program meets at Charter Oak School on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Parents have an English class and children enjoy learning activities. Interested candidates should submit a Testing Reservation Form through this website. Once we have your reservation form, we will contact you to schedule a time for testing and registration. If you have questions about this program, please call Monica at 860-561-6900 or Kim at 860-929-5575. 

*Pending federal funding, this collaborative program is offered by West Hartford Adult Education and The Bridge Family Center.

Ready, Set, Go to Work* programs assist adults who are seeking initial or improved employment. One section focuses on assisting adults who are learning English and one section focuses on supporting adults who are improving their basic skills or seeking a high school diploma. If you want to join this class, please submit a Testing Reservation  Form. Once we have your reservation form, we will contact you to schedule a time for testing and registration. Then we will help you find the class that best meets your needs. If you have questions about classes, please call us at 860-561-6900. 

*Pending federal funding.

Citizenship classes prepare students for the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens. Students learn about the history and government of the United States. If you are ready to apply for citizenship, please submit a Testing Reservation Form. Once we have your reservation form, we will contact you to schedule a time for testing and registration. Then we will help you find the class that best meets your needs. If you have questions about classes, please call us at 860-561-6900.

West Hartford Adult Education supports adults seeking a high school diploma in several ways including adult basic education classes, access to the GED diploma program, and access to the NEDP program, which is often a good option for more mature, working adults. Interested candidates should submit a Testing Reservation  Form. Once we have your reservation form, we will contact you to schedule a time for testing and registration. If you have questions about these programs, please call us at 860-561-6900. 

Adults who have been out of school for a while often need to review and improve math, reading, or writing skills before entering a high school diploma program. Our free Adult Basic Education (ABE) program can help with this. The faculty will evaluate your skills and help you develop a personal learning plan that is aligned with your needs and goals. 

As you develop your skills, our faculty will help you choose the best path to your high school diploma. We offer two high school diploma programs: the General Educational Development (GED) program and the National External Diploma Program (NEDP). We also collaborate with Newington Adult Education to provide access to the Credit Diploma Program (CDP) through Newington Adult Education. If you have questions about these programs, please call West Hartford Adult Education at 860-561-6900 to discuss the options.

The GED program prepares adult learners to pass the four-part computer-based GED exam to earn the State of Connecticut diploma. The program focuses on developing the needed science, social studies, math, language arts, and basic computer skills. Instructors review the official website, ged.com, where students can access related exam information and exam registration procedures. Students can elect to begin the GED registration process online at ged.com and complete the process with the West Hartford GED Registrar. Details regarding eligibility to take the GED tests are available at https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Adult-Ed/GED/Getting-a-GED-in-Connecticut/Eligibility Please submit a Testing Reservation Form if you are interested in pursuing the GED. We will contact you to schedule any needed testing and registration. If you have questions about the program, please call West Hartford Adult Education at 860-561-6900. 

Individuals with a documented disability who require accommodations to take the GED test should contact our program facilitator, Andy Tyskiewicz at 860-561-6900 or Andrew_Tyskiewicz @whps.org. or Sabrina Mancini at the Connecticut State Department of Education at 860-807-2102.

The CDP is available to West Hartford residents through Newington Adult Education. Interested candidates must be 17 years of age or older. Call Newington Adult Education at 860-667-5850 for more information or to arrange an appointment with a counselor.

The NEDP is an individualized, web-based program that allows adults who have learned through life experience to demonstrate their acquired skills and earn a West Hartford High School diploma. The NEDP is ideal for self-directed adults who need flexible scheduling. Some participants complete the program in 6 to 12 months. Your skill level and the amount of time you can devote to the program determine the length of time needed to finish. Qualified candidates may register and begin the West Hartford NEDP program at any time.

This program allows you to complete assignments at home, to set your own pace, and to work with knowledgeable and helpful professional educators. Through a series of take-home projects and proctored In-Office Checks, the NEDP measures academic and life skills, including reading, writing, mathematics, oral communication, and critical thinking. The NEDP program requires that you demonstrate your knowledge and skills in financial literacy, civic literacy, geography, health literacy, history, science, and workplace issues in practical ways. For example, you might read and analyze a short story or film, analyze a household budget and identify ways to save money, develop a presentation about your community, write letters to address a civic or consumer issue, or analyze how a science issue affects our lives. 

The NEDP program in West Hartford is also open to residents of Avon, Bloomfield, Burlington, Canton, Farmington, Harwinton, Newington, Windsor and Simsbury at no charge (pending receipt of federal funding).

Please submit a Testing Reservation Form if you are interested in pursuing the NEDP. We will contact you to schedule any needed testing and registration. If you have questions about the program, please call West Hartford Adult Education at 860-561-6900.