Adult Education

We offer a variety of free beginning, intermediate, and advanced, ESOL classes that help speakers of other languages improve their ability to speak, listen, read, and write in English. Day and evening classes meet for two hours twice a week at several locations in West Hartford. Some classes offer free childcare for children ages 4 to 10.

NEW CLASS for SUPER ADVANCED ESOL Students!

We are excited to offer a new, more advanced English class for ESOL students whose English has improved enough that they no longer qualify for ESOL or have “tested out” of ESOL in the past. Please call 860-561-6900 to learn more about this class.

If you want an ESOL class, please call 860-561-6900, text 860-986-2864, or complete a Testing 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.

ESOL classes at St. John’s Church are open to any adult who lives in this region.

This ESOL family literacy program meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at the Family Resource Center at Charter Oak International Academy. While parents take an ESOL class designed especially for them, their preschool children enjoy an educational program that helps prepare them for school. The program is open to all WHPS and West Hartford parents with preschool children. If you have questions, call us! Interested parents should call 860-561-6900, text 860-986-2864, or complete a Testing Reservation Form to arrange registration. 

*Federally funded through a grant from the Connecticut State Department of Education.

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 and want to enroll in this class, please call 860-561-6900, text 860-986-2864, or complete a Testing Reservation Form to arrange registration.

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 call 860-561-6900, text 860-986-2864, or complete a Testing Reservation Form 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 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.

ABE classes will meet in-person twice a week and may include additional on-line learning opportunities. ABE classes teach basic skills and support students as they progress toward a high school diploma. Morning classes at varying levels meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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 call 860-561-6900, text 860-986-2864, or complete a Testing Reservation Form if you are interested in pursuing the GED. We will contact you to schedule an initial appointment and 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, Caren Dickman (860-561-6900 or Caren_Dickman@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 and meet the program entry requirements. 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 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. The program offers opportunities to meet with your NEDP assessor in-person or remotely. Through a series of take-home projects and proctored In-Office Checks (done in-person or remotely), 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. 

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