An adult school, also called an adult high school, is a school specifically for adults who haven't completed their high school educations. Adult schools usually feature classes designed for non-English speakers, and they might offer general education and skills-based classes. Read on for more information about these schools.
What Are Adult Schools?
Many regular high schools won't allow students over the ages of 18 or 19 to continue attending if they haven't met their graduation requirements. To address this and give local residents an opportunity to earn their high school diplomas, some school districts offer adult schools, which offer a full high school curriculum exclusively to adult learners.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutGettingAHighSchoolDiploma">Important Facts About Getting a High School Diploma</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Concentrations</td><td>Carpentry; Electrical; Health Care; College Preparation; Information Technology</td></tr>
<tr><td>Certificates</td><td>High School Diploma; GED</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Courses</td><td>English; Math; State History; Science; Occupational Education</td></tr>
<tr><td>Online Availability</td><td>Programs offered online</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Weekly Earnings (2018)</td><td>$862 <i>(Associate's degree)</i> <br/> $1,198 <i>(Bachelor's degree)</i> <br/> $1,424 <i>(Master's degree)</i> <br/> $1,825 <i>(Doctorate degree)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2016-2026)</td><td>11% growth <i>(Associate's and postsecondary nondegree-level occupations)</i> <br/> 10% growth <i>(Bachelor's-level occupations)</i> <br/> 17% growth <i>(Master's-level occupations)</i> <br/> 13% growth <i>(Doctoral- and professional-level occupations)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---EnglishAsASecondLanguage">English as a Second Language</h3><p>Many adult schools offer special programs for non-English speakers or foreign-born students who didn't receive English instruction in their native country. At some schools, English-as-a-second-language and citizenship classes are free for students. These classes could focus on speaking and listening to English or on reading and writing English. Some might also cover both aspects of learning the language.
</p><h3 id="section---GEDPreparation">GED Preparation</h3><p>In addition to providing the ability to finish high school, many adult schools also offer GED preparation programs. These programs provide the knowledge to pass all the social studies, math, literature, writing skills and science portions of the GED exam. Students will also learn testing strategies and take sample tests.
</p><h3 id="section---JobAndLifeSkills">Job and Life Skills</h3><p>Job and life skills courses can also be found at many adult schools. Courses in office skills and computer technology can help students get jobs after graduation. Life skills courses at adult schools may include those in cooking and parenting. These and basic educational courses offered by adult schools provide the skills and knowledge to succeed on a personal and professional level. Many adult schools provide on-site childcare and career counseling.</p>
