Adult Education and ESL
Build your skills and confidence in dozens of classes made just for you!
SCC's non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship, High School Equivalency (HSE), literacy, and integrated training programs help adult students become proficient in English and math to prepare them for a high school equivalency test (HiSET®️ or GED®️), college, or the workforce. To enroll, students must be 17+ years old, not enrolled in high school, have a Missouri address, and not be in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa.
Our program is currently not enrolling new students as our classes will close May 22, 2025 for the summer. Please check back on our website or call our office after July 7th for the registration dates and times for next year.
Registration for the 2025-26 academic year opens in August.
Non-Credit English as a Second Language
High School Equivalency (HSE)
Our ESL classes help non-native speakers improve their skills in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English. Focusing on conversational skills as well as workplace literacy, we also offer specialty classes in TOEFL, citizenship, American culture, pronunciation, and healthcare. Beginners and advanced students will find classes to suit their needs.
ESL classes are offered at no cost. Day and evening classes are available.
Our HSE classes develop basic reading, writing, and math skills to prepare students for a High School Equivalency Test (HiSET® or GED®) or improve academic skills for college readiness and career advancement. 16-year-olds may enroll if they meet the elegibility requirements outlined below.
HSE classes are offered at no cost. Day and evening classes are available.
Focus Forward Math
Integrated Education & Training
Are you struggling to test into MAT 096 and beyond? Our program will help you move up the math ladder. We offer a hands-on, personalized curriculum to help you overcome obstacles that have kept you from succeeding in the past.
This course is offered at no cost.
Students looking to build essential academic skills while working toward an industry credential should enroll in our Adult Education & Literacy program. We combine instruction in English and math with workforce training to prepare students to become certified.
Course Offerings
All ESL students must attend a four-hour, in-person ESL enrollment session to determine level and class schedule before beginning classes. You can enroll in morning and/or evening classes at any enrollment session. Students should arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time; no late arrivals will be permitted.
Morning Registration: August 19 and 26 from 9am-1pm.
Evening Registration: August 21 and 28 from 5:30-9:30pm.
Class sessions are 7 weeks long with the chance to continue if desired.
Please note: Children are not permitted in Adult Education enrollment sessions or classes.
Morning Classes:
Mon | Wed: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Evening Classes:
Mon | Wed: 6-9 p.m.
Virtual Classes will be Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and Friday afternoons.
To enroll in a specialized ESL course, students must be currently enrolled in a standard ESL class. (See enrollment information above.) There may be minimum English levels required to enroll.
Get to Know the USA: The Road to Citizenship
Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (virtual)
This class offers an overview of the history, geography, customs, traditions, holidays,
government, and ways of life in the U.S. Open to all levels of ESL students, the course
addresses the 100 questions on the U.S. Citizenship Test and prepares prospective
citizens to take the test in the future. This course covers all aspects of the process
of naturalization, including eligibility requirements, documents, and application
forms. Students will participate in mock interviews and citizenship practice tests.
Pronunciation
Friday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (virtual)
Students practice advanced pronunciation techniques focusing on articulation of blends
and sounds unique to the English language. Students will also learn the origins of
English words while expanding their English vocabulary.
Writing
Tuesday, 6-9 p.m. (virtual)
Through in-depth instruction and focused practice, students practice advanced writing
conventions and grammar specific to the English language.
Integrated Education & Training Classes (IET)
All HSE students must attend one in-person enrollment session for orientation and assessment to determine HSE readiness and an individual learning plan. Appointments are not necessary. Sessions are held at the Cottleville and locations listed below. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time of your session.
See our HSE Enrollment Schedule here.
Classes meet on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. Students are expected to attend both sessions each week.
HSE classes are offered in-person and virtually, subject to availability.
2025-2026 HSE Class Schedule and Locations:
Enrollment dates for each location can be found here. In-person classes will be held at all campuses, but not all locations will have both morning and evening classes.
2024-25 HSE Class Locations
St. Charles Community College
Schnare Library, Room 148
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Cottleville, MO 63376
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
200 Academic Way
Troy, MO 63379
Public school students who are 16 years old and have earned 16 high school credits may enroll in HSE classes. You must provide the following documents to enroll:
- A letter from your previous high school stating the date you withdrew
- A transcript or other official verification from your high school confirming you successfully completed 16 credits of high school work
Homeschooled students who are 16 years old and have earned at least 1000 hours of high school-level home education must meet the requirements of 167.031 RSMo for course instruction and have written permission of your parent or legal guardian indicating compliance.
Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Build a foundation to master math! Students work in small groups to master the topics
they need. Topics Include:
- Basic arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide whole numbers)
- Fractions, decimals, & percents
- Integer operations (negative numbers)
- Word problems
- Algebra
- Geometry
For more information, contact Patty Boxdorfer by e-mail or by text at 314-635-8648.
To enroll in IET classes, students must also be enrolled in a free English as a Second Language or High School Equivalency course. Enrollment information for ESL classes is listed above and for HSE classes can be found here. IET programs may have a tuition charge. Tuition assistance may be available.
Medical Assisting for Adult Student and Paraprofession/Substitute Teacher Training
Description?
Classes meet two evenings per week (TBD).
Interested students should contact Lindsay Woods by e-mail or by text at 636-362-6545.
Volunteer with us!
Would you like to help high school equivalency students with basic reading, writing and math skills? Or would you like to assist classroom instructors in teaching adult students in non-credit English classes to speak, read, understand, and write English? Our volunteers typically help during one 3-hour class session per week, and are invaluable to our program! No experience needed. Training is provided.
To volunteer with HSE classes, contact us: ael@stchas.edu | 636-922-8411.
To volunteer with ESL classes, contact Ingrid Casillo: icasillo@stchas.edu | 636-922-8227.