Adult learners looking to earn a PA Secondary School Diploma may enroll in free classes to improve their basic academic skills and to prepare for the high school equivalency exam.

Sessions open four times a year for Adult Basic Education and Adult Secondary Education classes. Each session is 12-13 weeks long. Classes meet four days a week for 2.5 hours a day, for a total of 10 hours of instruction per week. Students are grouped according to their needs.

High school equivalency classes take place in two Pottstown locations: 724 N Adams St., and 300 King St. Both are accessible by PART and SEPTA buses. High school equivalency classes are also available in Norristown in the Healthy & Human Services Building: 1430 DeKalb St.Classes take place in mornings and afternoons.

After enrolling, students meet with adult education staff to learn about the program, discuss needs and establish goals, and take a pre-test to determine placement.

Register for class sessions by calling 610-326-7323, or by emailing Director Veronica Barna at vbarna@ywcatricountyarea.org.

Newly arrived residents to the United States can improve their ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English through English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

YWCA Tri-County Area’s Adult Education and Training Center offers ESL classes for people of all abilities:

• Classes include Beginning to Advanced levels of English speaking ability. Initial testing places students in the correct class according to their ability.
• Students build English vocabulary and practice  conversation skills using real-life situations – looking for an apartment, discussing the day’s news, or asking for directions.
• ESL classes help students to develop the English skills to get a job, participate in the community, or go to school or training.
• ESL classes are scheduled throughout the week. Class locations are 724 N. Adams Street in Pottstown, Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown, and 1430 DeKalb St in Norristown.

All ESL students have access to other services at the Education and Training Center, including high school equivalency preparation, job search assistance, and support services.

ESL students working toward U.S. citizenship can find help and support with the citizenship process.  Volunteers will help with completing the application, scheduling interviews, and practicing for interviews.

For information about English as a Second Language classes, call 610-326-7323, or email Director Veronica Barna at vbarna@ywcatricountyarea.org

Tutoring – available one-on-one or in groups of 3 or fewer – can help adult learners improve their math or reading skills with focused, individual instruction.

Adults may register for tutoring to supplement their learning in an adult education class. They also may register for tutoring to brush up their skills for their jobs, or for further education.

Tutoring, both individual and group, is led by volunteers. Each student will be matched with a volunteer tutor. New volunteers are always welcome; minimum qualifications are a four-year degree and a commitment of 3 hours per week.

For information about registering for tutoring, or about volunteering as a tutor, call 610-326-7323 or email Director Veronica Barna at vbarna@ywcatricountyarea.org

A high school diploma can mean higher wages and increased opportunity in the workplace. For adults who left school before earning a diploma, YWCA Tri-County Area Education and Training Center (ETC) is an approved site for the HiSET high school equivalency exam.

The HiSET exam is one of two high school equivalency exams recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education; successful completion of the HiSET or the GED exams will result in a PA Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.

ETC offers classes to help adult learners prepare for both the HiSET and GED exams. However, those wishing to take the HiSET test at ETC do not have to be enrolled in YW adult education programs.

The HiSET exam consists of five parts and is taken with paper and pencil. Testing takes place on the following Fridays throughout the remainder of the year at YW3CA’s ETC, 724 North Adams Street, Pottstown.

For information about taking the HiSET exam at ETC, call 610-326-7323, or email Director Veronica Barna at vbarna@ywcatricountyarea.org

To learn more about the HiSET exam, visit the website at https://hiset.ets.org/

To learn more about the GED exam, and to find a local GED testing site, visit the website at https://ged.com/

Students enrolled in ETC classes have opportunities for computer-based distance learning. ETC staff will help students determine if distance learning is an option.

Students enrolled in face-to-face instruction who find they cannot attend classes for a short time period may enroll in computer-based distance learning instruction. Enrolled students who need to take a break from classroom instruction because of health, work, or other personal circumstances, and who intend to return to face-to-face instruction, may participate in the Statewide Distance Learning Project.

ETC also can provide distance learning opportunities to students as a supplement to classroom instruction. This supplemental computer-based learning gives students a  greater intensity of instruction focused on their specific needs and interests, and may help students achieve their goals more quickly. Distance learning also can support students in improving the digital literacy skills necessary for the workplace.  In blended learning, students participate in both face-to-face instruction and distance learning activities.

ETC staff can will provide students with information about distance learning, help students determine if distance learning is an appropriate option, and refer students to the Statewide Distance Learning Project if appropriate.