English as a Second Language (ESL)

Classes are free. However, there is a $40 fee for the Student book and workbook.

ESL classes are offered as follows:

• Woodbury:  Monday through Thursday 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

     We offer 3 levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced

• Cottage Grove:  Tuesday & Wednesday 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

     We offer 2 levels: Beginner/Low Intermediate - High Intermediate/Advanced

• Hastings: Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

     We offer 1 level: Multilevel

first day of class: wednesday, september 3, 2025

Generations Cafe / work experience class

DEVELOP WORKPLACE ESSENTIALS:

GAIN SKILLS EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR:

GET CONNECTED & CAREER-READY:

• Network with local employment partners
• Create or update your professional resume
• Gain confidence in workplace communication

PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE:

• English as a Second Language
• 17+ older
• not currently enrolled in K-12 schools

CLASS DAYS/TIMES:

Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m

LOCATION:

PICK A SESSION:

• September 15 - December 4
• December 15 - March 5
• March 16 - May 28

This program is funded under the Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) grant. This grant allows Great Rivers to serve a larger population of the community and offer opportunities to English Language Learners in the areas of community involvement, college preparation, digital literacy and job skills training in order to further support their personal, educational and career goals.

Great Rivers currently offers two pathways for obtaining your high school diploma or equivalency:

• K-12 Credit Diploma Completion
• Test-Based High School Equivalency Diploma (GED or HiSET)

Upon enrollment our staff will help you decide which path will help you to achieve your goals. Additional information can be found near the bottom of this page under Current Student Resources > GED FAQ.

K-12 DIPLOMA

Our K-12 Diploma program is a credit completion program for adults not currently enrolled in high school to work on credits needed to complete their high school diploma. The program is best for students that have 10 credits or less to complete.

Licensed teachers are available for support and supervision. Upon completion of all required courses, K-12 Diploma students will be issued a SoWashCo Schools High School diploma. 

Students aged 17 or older, currently enrolled in their high school, are strongly encouraged to first talk to their counselor for a referral if considering this program. Other alternative education options  may better meet their needs.

high school equivalency Prep and Official testing (ged & HISET)

Our program offers free prep classes and readiness testing to those who qualify. Great Rivers staff will guide you through the process from start to finish. Official GED & HiSET Testing is offered at the District Program Center (Cottage Grove). Official GED is offered at Tilden Community Center (Hastings). For more information on when testing is available at either of our test centers, please call 651-425-6668 or log into your ged.com or hiset.org website.

Test takers must have a valid, current Government Issued picture ID to verify identity and eligibility for testing. This can be a passport, driver's license or permit, ID card, or green card and must be brought with on the day of testing.

Already passed your GED or HiSET and looking for a copy? Contact the Minnesota Department of Education at mde.abe@state.mn.us

Benefits of Attending the GED & hiset Program with Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium

Attend free classes to prepare and become comfortable with the tests before you take them. In a prep classes you get:

• Licensed, patient teachers
• Individualized study platforms to use in class and at home
• Relevant curriculum to help you succeed
• Free official practice tests when recommended by your teacher
• Registered students can study in our computer lab and at home online
• Guidance through the entire process

which test is right for me?

How do I sign up for official testing?

Students that have prepared for their testing must register and schedule their test times on their personal GED website or HiSET website. Walk-ins are not allowed as students must be registered on the GED or HiSET website in advance. 

Students must pay for their test(s) at the time of scheduling, using a debit or credit card. Test(s) must be cancelled 24 hours in advance to avoid losing funds.

K-12 Diploma, Hiset and GED Class Availability

• Tuesday and Thursday
• 4:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. 
• Office hours available upon request. Please contact us at 651-425-6668.

REgistration

To register for any of our programs, please follow both steps. 

Step 1: Fill out the E_Intake Form.

E_intake Form

Step 2: Fill out the Class Interest and Needs Form.

Class Interest and Needs Form

students 17 or 18 will need an age waiver approved by the state

Great Rivers Adult Education will help with this process.

• GED Age Waiver
• GED Age Waiver, Explained 

The ParaPro Assessment is a general aptitude test that is required in many states for paraprofessional certification. It also offers the district an objective assessment of your foundation of knowledge and skills. Great Rivers Adult Education offers free online courses to help you confidently pass the ParaPro Assessment.

The online course allows you to work at your own pace. Additional in-person instructor assistance is available for math and reading.

For more information contact Angela Schak at aschak@sowashco.org or 651-425-6668.

Official Testing Registration

To schedule an official Pearson VUE or PSI test, please log into your account on their website. 

Certiport Testing - Contact Angela by calling 651-425-6668 or email aschak@sowashco.org
 

student eligibility

In order to be eligible for our classes you must:

1. Be 17 years of age or older; and
2. Not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law; AND
3. Meet one or more of these conditions:
   1. Unable to speak, read or write English;
   2. Do not have high school diploma or equivalent;
   3. lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills.

*An exception is made for Work-Based Project Learners and Transition to Employment students referred by the Workforce Center or MFIP to be allowed in conditional content classes.

Visit Literacy Minnesota for more information about programs around the state.