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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You can study with ANY of our instructors and you can study at ANY of our class locations. All classes and study materials are FREE of charge.
Check out our 2023-24 Class Schedule for information on our class times, locations, and instructors. We have class sites in:
Chisago Lakes
Toni Koons
Tuesdays 3PM - 6:30PM Chisago Lakes High School
320-591-0041
[email protected]
Office Hours by Appointment
North Branch
Toni Koons
Wednesdays 12PM - 3PM North Branch
Central MN Jobs & Training Services Job Club
Thursdays 3:30 - 6 PM 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 3:30PM - 5:30PM
PTCC Tutoring Room
320-491-0411
(Email or text anytime)
Hinckley-Finlayson
Brad Jensen
Tues & Thurs 3:30PM - 5:30PM
Empower Learning Center
320-838-4199
[email protected]
(Email or text any time)
East Central/Willow River
Brad Jensen
Wednesdays 2PM - 5PM
OR by Appointment
East Central High School, Room 412
320-838-4199
[email protected]
(Email or text any time)
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.