Adult Education and Training Center

Adult education at YWCA Tri-County Area’s Education and Training Center empowers adult learners in building a strong foundation for workplace success. Our instructors are educated, experienced, and supportive – ready to help you reach your professional goals, one step at a time. It’s our mission to treat every one of our students with dignity & respect.

ETC offers FREE:

Adult Basic Education and high school equivalency classes. For adults who have left high school, earning a PA Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma increases the chances of earning a living wage, or qualifying for further education. Through YW’s adult education classes, adult learners can improve basic academic skills and prepare to take the GED or HiSET exam.
English as a Second Language to improve skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in English while learning more about U.S. culture and lifestyle.
Individual tutoring for focused learning in math and reading.

Each student receives personal attention and ongoing support in setting education and job goals, and in identifying and reducing any obstacles that may get in the way of success (transportation, child care, etc.).

YW’s Education and Training Center is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Connelly Foundation, the Thomas Taylor Trust, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, and by members of the community.

For more information, please click on the tabs below.

To enroll, call:

610-326-7323 (Pottstown)

610-427-5830 (Norristown)

Adult Education and Training Center, at ETC@ywcatricountyarea.org

Registration is OPEN for both Pottstown & Norristown locations!

Referrals

ETC Class Sessions

Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4

Pottstown Class Schedule

Class Type	Days Offered	Time Offered
High School Equivalency	Monday-Thursday	AM / PM
English as a Second Language	Tuesday & Thursday	AM
English as a Second Language	Monday & Thursday	PM

Norristown Class Schedule

Class Type	Days Offered	Time Offered
High School Equivalency	Monday-Thursday	PM
English as a Second Language	Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday	PM

Now offering ONLINE LEARNING for Morning High School Diploma Classes and English as a Second Language!

Programs

High School Equivalency

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 email ETC@ywcatricountyarea.org.

English Language/Civics

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 ETC@ywcatricountyarea.org

HiSET Testing

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.

DATE TBD

For information about taking the HiSET exam at ETC, call 610-326-7323, or email ETC@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/

Chris was three weeks away from graduating from Pottstown High School when he dropped out of school. An emancipated teenager at 17, Chris, now 31, had worked a variety of jobs – fast food, retail, general labor. After losing his most recent job – and marrying and starting a family – he researched options for school, and was directed to YW’s Education and Training Center, where he found support and encouragement. “After I lost my job, I thought: This is my chance,” he said. “I realized that all I’m going to do is go from one dead-end job to another.” After five weeks of study, he was ready to take the five-part high school equivalency test, and has earned his diploma.

Chris

Brian’s parents enrolled him in a cyber charter school in 9th grade. He said he lacked support from his parents and from the school, and failed 9th grade three times. Trusted adults encouraged him to leave school and enroll in adult education programs. At YW’s Education and Training Center, Brian found “not a group of students with a teacher, but a group of adults together for a common goal.”

Brian

Colin struggled in school with dyslexia, and was distracted with issues at home. He said his teachers had required him to repeat so many classes that they encouraged him to leave school. He was having difficulty finding jobs without a diploma, and was told by an employer that he needed a diploma to advance. “What a perfect time to go back to school,” Colin said. “I was scared, but everyone (at the Education and Training Center) said ‘You can do this, and this is how we’ll help you get there.’ Everyone is willing to help you. It’s amazing.”

Colin

To volunteer at YW3CA’s Adult Education & Training Center (Pottstown or Norristown), click the button below!

Volunteer!

Adult Education Flier

Learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s Finish Your Diploma Intuitive!

Learn more!

Funders & Community Partners

Adult Education Partner