Eligibility
The mission of Adult Basic Education (ABE) in Minnesota is to provide adults with educational opportunities to acquire and improve their literacy skills necessary to be self-sufficient and to participate effectively as productive workers, family members, and citizens.
To be eligible for ABE, an individual must be all of the following:
- 17 years of age or over
- Not enrolled in secondary school
- Functioning below the 12th grade level in any of the basic academic areas including reading, math, writing, and speaking English.
Join a Class
We offer instruction in several areas — join us to study:
- Adult Diploma: Programs for eligible adults leading to a high school diploma from a sponsoring Minnesota school district.
- Basic Skills Enhancement: For learners who need goal-specific elementary or secondary level basic skills such as work-related math, functional literacy (e.g.- banking skills), reading or writing assistance. Generally considered "brush-up" and not leading to a diploma or GED.
- GED/ABE Classes: The General Educational Development (GED) diploma is a national high school equivalency program that includes 4 content areas: reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science, and social studies.
- Citizenship Education: Programs which prepare Minnesota non-citizens for the U.S. citizenship exam given by the INS. Includes application preparation and English language instruction. Also may include content related to general civic content and participation in society.
- ESL: English as a Second Language. For learner's whose native language was not English.
Where, When, and How?
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Check out our 2022-23 Class Schedule for information on our class times, locations, and instructors. We have class sites in:
Chisago Lakes
Toni Koons
Tuesdays 4PM - 7PM Chisago Lakes High School
320-591-0041
[email protected]
Office Hours by Appointment
North Branch
Toni Koons
North Branch Job Club hours to be updated soon
Thursdays 4PM - 7PM North Branch Education Center
320-591-0041
[email protected]
Office Hours by Appointment
Pine City
Jamie Kritzeck
In-Person or Online Classes — Contact to schedule time
Pine Technical & Community College (PTCC)
320-629-5139
[email protected]
(Call or text any time)
Toni Koons
Wednesdays 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
PTCC Tutoring Room
320-491-0411
Hinckley-Finlayson
Brad Jensen
Tues & Thurs 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Empower Learning Center
320-838-4199
[email protected]
(Email or text any time)
East Central/Willow River
Brad Jensen
Wednesdays 2 PM - 5 PM
OR by Appointment
East Central High School, Room 312
320-838-4199
[email protected]
(Email or text any time)
You can study with ANY of our instructors and you can study at ANY of our class locations. Find a class near you! All classes and study materials are FREE of charge.
Take Your GED
The St. Croix River Education District office in Rush City is a registered GED testing site. Learn how to register to take your GED with us.
We will be back with more GED dates next school year.