Programs and Classes

More than 25 years of helping adults

Learn • Grow • Succeed

 

General Educational Development - GED

Students who don’t have a high school diploma can earn a GED high school diploma.  The GED program is for students 16 years and older.  Students must be at least 17 years old to take the GED test.

All new students need to make an appointment at the Adult Education Center to complete the student enrollment forms and orientation before starting classes.  Call or come by to make your appointment  Monday –  Thursday,  8:30 – 4:30 pm.

Before you attend school, you will complete an educational interview. Our Student Services Coordinator will meet with you and ask questions about your school experience, how you learn best and what you think you need to study. We’ll use this information along with your interests as a guide for the best 4-week mini courses to enroll you in at the Center.    Students work with  teachers or tutors in small classes and one-on-one.

The GED program costs $20 for all the prep classes  and practice tests necessary to take the GED test.  More than 95% of colleges accept the GED.

DURANGO ADULT EDUCATION CENTER
GED TEST SCHEDULE FOR 2011 – 2012 SCHOOL YEAR

GED test sessions are on Thursday evenings beginning at 4:30 PM. Writing and Math tests are on alternate weeks. Reading, Science, and Social Studies tests are offered each week, and students may take one of them per session. Registration is required by the Tuesday before the test. Test session may be cancelled if fewer than 8 tests are scheduled.

October 13, 2011 Writing
October 20, 2011 Math
October 27, 2011 Writing
November 3, 2011 Math
November 10, 2011 Writing
November 17, 2011 Math No test during Holiday Break November 21 - 25
December 1, 2011 Writing
December 8, 2011 Math
December 15, 2011 Writing No test during Holiday Break December 19 – 30
January 5, 2012 Math
January 12, 2012 Writing
January 19, 2012 Math Friday, January 20, 2012 Graduation
January 26, 2012 Writing
February 2, 2012 Math
February 9, 2012 Writing
February 16, 2012 Math No test during Holiday Break February 20 – 24
March 1, 2012 Writing
March 8, 2012 Math
March 15, 2012 Writing
March 22, 2012 Math
March 29, 2012 Writing
April 5, 2012 Math No test during Holiday Break April 9 - 13
April 19, 2012 Writing
April 26, 2012 Math
May 3, 2012 Writing
May 10, 2012 Math
May 17, 2012 Writing
May 24, 2012 Math
May 31, 2012 Writing
June 5, 2012 Math Friday, June 6, 2012 Graduation

GED TESTING OPTIONS IN NEARBY AREAS

  • CORTEZ
    GED tests offered once per month on a Saturday. Writing, Math, Social Studies, Reading, and Science may be taken in one day. For details, contact: Unlimited Learning Center at 970-565-1601.
  • IGNACIO
    GED tests offered the first Friday of each month. Writing, Math, Social Studies, Reading, and Science may be taken in one day. For details, contact: Southern Ute Higher Education Center at 970-563-0237 or Donna Broad at 970-749-1953.
    GED Test preparation classes are offered at Pine River Valley Community Learning Center at 970-563-0681.
  • BAYFIELD
    No tests offered. Test preparation only. For details, contact: Pine River Valley Community Learning Center at 970-563-0681.
  • PAGOSA SPRINGS
    GED tests offered through the Southern Ute Higher Education Center. For details, contact 970-563-0837 or Donna Broad at 970-749-1953.
  • TOWAOC
    GED tests offered Southern Ute Higher Education Center. For details, contact 970-563-0837 or Donna Broad at 970-749-1953.

 

ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES - ESOL


The Center offers five (5) levels of English classes for non-native speakers, from Basic Survival to Advanced Conversational, Reading and Writing.


The goal of the ESOL program is to give students the skills they need to become productive, contributing members of the community and to achieve their personal goals.
All five levels cover life skills, grammar, Lindamood-Bell reading, and basic computer skills. The life skills section includes employment, community services, consumer economics, health, housing, and transportation and directions for the non-native speaker.


The ESOL classes offer a unique social network experience through interaction in the classroom with students from all parts of the world. We currently serve students from 5 continents and 19 countries.


Evening and morning classes are offered Monday—Thursday with low cost on-site childcare. The yearly registration fee is $20 which is applied towards material costs, payable at the time of registration.

 

Winter 2012 Schedule
(for the full brochure and registration form, click here.)
(for the registration form only, click here.)
 

ENRICHMENT CLASSES

COLLEGE PREPARATION $100
Want to succeed in college? Need help with math, writing, and reading skills or not sure how to study effectively for tests and essay exams? Join our experienced college instructors in this 6-week course to review and strengthen the skills you need to
succeed in college.
Jan. 2—March 1 Mon. —Thurs. 1:40—3:00 pm

RESUME RE-DO $30
Want to make your resume stand out in this competitive job market? Learn what it takes to update your resume using simple techniques and key words. Bring a resume to review.
Saturday, Mar. 10 9—11 am

GED CLASSES

GED PREPARATION $20
Small classes, day and evening, and independent study to prepare for the General Educational Development (GED) available fall, spring, and summer semesters.
 

READING CLASSES

LINDAMOOD-BELL METHOD READING TBD
Improve your reading and spelling using this nationally recognized multi-sensory method of teaching. Improve 7 grade levels after 80 hours of instruction.

Classes scheduled by appointment.

 

COMPUTER CLASSES

COMPUTING FUNDAMENTALS $60
Pre-requisite: None
Covers subjects needed for a foundational understanding
of computing, including knowledge and use of computer
hardware, software, and operating. Will also include an
introduction to all Windows platforms.
Jan. 23—Feb. 1 M / W 1:30—3 pm
Feb. 27—Mar. 7 M / W 3:30—5 pm
Apr. 17—Apr. 26 T / TH 3:30—5 pm
May 1—May 10 T / TH 5:30—7 pm

WORD I $60
Pre-requisite: Basic computer knowledge.
How to start and exit Word, use menus and toolbars, work
with files, create documents, manipulate, edit and format
text and print files.
Feb. 6—Feb. 15 M / W 1:30—3 pm
Feb. 27—Mar. 8 M / W 1:30—3 pm
Mar. 27– Apr. 5 T / TH 3:30—5 pm
May 8—May 17 T / TH 5:30—7 pm

OFFICE 2007 TO IMPROVE JOB SKILLS $115
Pre-requisite: Knowledge of Windows.
Learn tips on how to use Office 2007 to increase your
office productivity with word processing, spreadsheets,
database and presentations. The class will briefly cover
MS Access, Excel, Publisher, Powerpoint and Web Page
Design programs.
Jan. 24—Feb. 16 T / TH 1:30—3 pm
Mar. 26—Apr. 25 M / W 3:30—5 pm
May 1—May 24 T / TH 1:30—3 pm

WORD II $115
Pre-requisite: Word I class or knowledge of Word.
Use columns, styles and templates, mail merge, manage
files, and create forms, number pages, insert pictures, work
with lines, shapes, text boxes, and tables.
Feb. 28—Mar. 22 T / TH 5:30—7 pm
Apr. 30—May 23 M / W 3:30—5 pm

EXCEL I $115
Pre-requisite: Basic computer knowledge.
Create worksheets, enter data, copy and move data,
manipulate columns and rows, create simple formulas.
Jan. 23—Feb. 15 M / W 3:30—5 pm
Mar. 27—Apr. 26 T / TH 1:30—3 pm
Apr. 30—May 23 M / W 5:30—7 pm

EXCEL II $115
Pre-requisite: Excel I class or knowledge of Excel.
Covers pivot table and pivot chart reports, macros, data
tables, goal-seeking scenarios, extracting data, creating
hyperlinks and integrating applications.
Feb. 27—Mar. 21 M / W 5:30—7 pm
May 1—May 24 T / TH 5:30—7 pm

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY $115
Pre-requisite: Basic computer knowledge.
Get hands-on practice on how to take beautiful pictures on your
digital camera. The class will cover: how to take photos, how to
use your camera, how to edit and manipulate your photos, email
and print. Will also cover memory usage, resolution, and file
management.
Feb. 27—Mar. 21 M / W 1:30—3pm

DESIGNING FLYERS AND BROCHURES $115
Pre-requisite: Knowledge of Windows.
Create professional flyers and brochures using MS Publisher.
Learn how to use textboxes, backgrounds and images. Will also
cover design and publishing issues.
Feb. 28—Mar. 22 T / TH 3:30—5 pm
Apr. 30—May 23 M / W 1:30—3 pm

WEB PAGE DESIGN $115
Pre-requisite: Basic computer knowledge.
Use simple HTML editor Netscape Composer as well as looking
at a more advanced editor, Dreamweaver. The main goal of the
class is the creation of your own simple static web page.
Jan. 24—Feb. 16 T / TH 5:30—7 pm
Mar. 27—Apr. 26 T / TH 5:30—7 pm

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP $115
Pre-requisite: Moderate computer knowledge.
Intro class to learn how to create, edit, and adjust digital images
and prepare them for print and web using Adobe Photoshop.
Will also explore essential skills such as color correction, making
selections, masking, cropping, compositing, retouching, and
adding effects.
Jan. 24—Feb. 16 T / TH 3:30—5 pm
Mar. 26—Apr. 25 M / W 5:30—7 pm

GOOGLE USE AND BEYOND $35
Pre-requisite: Moderate computer knowledge.
Join us and explore the power of Google® beyond it’s use as a
search engine. There are many free programs that allow you to
share calendars, pics, videos, build web pages and more.
Saturday, Feb. 11 9—1 pm

KEYBOARDING $60
Pre-requisite: None
Learn beginning typing skills on a computer. This introductory
class will allow students to master the keyboard utilizing
computer programs to improve typing skills.
Mar. 26—Apr. 4 M / W 1:30—3 pm

LANGUAGE CLASSES

SPANISH $130 / $90
All Spanish classes require a placement test.
Class prices vary according to total class time.

  • Session I—Jan. 16—Mar. 8
    True Beginners M / W 7—9 pm
    Beginners I M 5—7 pm
    Beginners II T 5—7 pm
    Intermediate I M 3—5 pm
    Intermediate II TH 3—5 pm
    Beginner Conversation W 3—5 pm
    Mid-level Conversation W 5—7 pm
    Advanced Conversation T 3—5 pm
    Mid-level Grammar TH 5—7 pm
    Advanced Grammar T 10:30—12:30 pm
    Readers I TH 10:30—12:30 pm
    Readers II W 10:30 - 12:30 pm
     

  • Session II– Mar. 19—May 17
    True Beginners M / W 5—7 pm
    Basic Elements “A” TH 3—5 pm
    Beginners I M 7—9 pm
    Beginners II T 7—9 pm
    Intermediate I W 3 - 5 pm
    Intermediate II T 10:30—12:30 pm
    Beginner Conversation T 5—7 pm
    Mid-level Conversation TH 5—7 pm
    Advanced Conversation T 3—5 pm
    Advanced Grammar M 10:30—12:30 pm
    Readers I TH 10:30—12:30 pm
    Readers II W 10:30 - 12:30 pm

TRAVEL SPANISH $90
This class is for those people traveling to Mexico and interested
in learning useful words and phrases. Emphasis on speaking and
building vocabulary, while reinforcing the basic principles of
grammar and provide a general understanding of the culture.
Jan. 17—Mar. 6 Tuesdays 7—9 pm
Mar. 22—May 17 Thursdays 7—9 pm

HOSPITALITY SPANISH $90
Learn basic vocabulary and phrases for hospitality workers. No
prior Spanish experience necessary.
Jan. 19—Mar. 8 Thursdays 7—9 pm
Mar. 22—May 17 Thursdays 7—9 pm

INTRODUCTION TO JAPANESE $130
Introduction to speaking, writing, and reading Japanese. Learn
from a native speaker. The class will cover Hiragana and roman
letters. Class participants will be required to purchase the
textbook: Japanese from Zero 1. No prior language experience is
necessary.
Jan. 31—Mar. 29 Tues. & Thurs. 5:30—7 pm

INFORMAL PORTUGUESE $95
Join us for this very informal introduction to Portuguese. The
class will briefly cover basic greetings, important verbs, and
useful expressions and slang for travel to Brazil. No prior
language experience is necessary.
Mar. 27—May 22 Tuesdays 5:30—7pm


 

Home  |  Classes & Programs  |  Early Childhood  |  Del Alma  |  Events  |  F.A.Q.  |  Partners & Funding  |  Volunteer Donations  |  Staff & Board  |  Contact Us


Durango Adult Education Center, 701 Camino del Rio, Ste. 301(next to Albertson's)
Durango, CO 81301  |   Phone: 385-4354  |  Fax 385-7968