ESL Classes - Morning (in-person)

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 
• Various locations based on level and availability

Multi-Level ESL - Morning (in-person)

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. 
• Tilden Community Center, Hastings

Advanced ESL - Afternoon (VIRTUAL)

• Tuesday, Thursday
• 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. 
• Virtual

ESL Classes - Evening (in-person)

• Tuesday
• 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. 
• District Program Center, Cottage Grove

Advanced ESL Book Study - Afternoon (in-Person)

• Friday
• 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. 
• Central Park, Woodbury

GED and k-12 Diploma

Great Rivers currently offers two pathways for obtaining your high school diploma or equivalency. Upon enrollment our staff will help you decide which path will help you to achieve your goals. 

ged Prep and Official testing 

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 Testing is offered at the District Program Center (Cottage Grove) and Tilden Community Center (Hastings).

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

Class Availability

• Tuesday, 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
• District Program Center, Cottage Grove

enrollment process

1. Fill out the application below. There is a link to complete online and also a printable download option. 
2. Staff will review applications on a rolling basis. Immediate admission is not guaranteed. Start dates occur every 2-4 weeks.
3.  Program staff will contact the student, following application review, to set up a meeting OR make a program referral.
4.  The Continual Learning Plan meeting, with program staff, will determine which program is the best fit prior to program acceptance. Please return application materials as soon as possible.

Online GEd and Diploma Application 

Click here to download the Great Rivers Program Application.

helpful resources

• GED FAQ's 
• So you want to take the GED?
• GED Age Waiver
• GED Age Waiver, Explained 

credit recovery 2022-2023

Trimester 1

• October 4  - November 17
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• In-person, 3:30 p.m.- 5:00p.m.

Trimester 2

• January 10, 2023 - February 23, 2023
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• In-person, 3:30 p.m.- 5:00p.m.

Trimester 3

• April 4, 2023 - May 25, 2023
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• In-person, 3:30 p.m.- 5:00p.m.

Summer 2023

• June 19, 2023 - June 30, 2023
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• In-person

Teachers will be available to work through lessons with students on content they did not complete. Mastery tests will only count if the student is supervised by a Credit Recovery teacher, no cell phone use, or other web pages can be used during this time. Taking notes during tutorial and learning time with teachers increases credit completion. Students must pass mastery tests with 80% or higher. Students must communicate with the school’s Credit Recovery lead with concerns and needs.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact your student's home school.

Basic COmputer Class 

• This class covers topics like: basic computer terms, browsing the internet, creating and using email, basic keyboarding, creating and saving documents, and more.
• Tuesday, Thursday
• 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. 
• In-person
• District Program Center, Cottage Grove

Pathways to prosperity 

Pathways to Prosperity aims to help close this skills gap through integrated services to help participants succeed in in-demand careers. If you qualify, you may be able to access education and training, support services and job placement to help you reach your goals.

Pathways to Prosperity is available at no cost to participants who meet certain eligibility criteria. Pathways to Prosperity is funded by the State of Minnesota and is awarded to by a competitive grant process to providers.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate Certificate Course

Certified Instructor-led, classroom-based training to prepare for the MOS Associate Certificate (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) exam. 

Also includes work readiness training in foundational reading, writing and math; ESL when necessary; as well as curriculum that is tailored to make work central to learning.

• July 11-September 29, 2022

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

• 12:00-3:00 p.m. 
• Central Park, Woodbury

Next sessions:

• November 28 - March 2, 2023
• March 13, 2023 - June 2, 2023

For information & eligibility contact Sheng Xiong, Career Navigator 651-275-8701

Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium and Washington County CareerForce have partnered to deliver this training, funded by a grant from MN Department of Employment & Economic Development. 

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

Stay up to date with upcoming classes and events for Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium, SoWashCo Community Education and SoWashCo Schools. 

Moby Max

Moby Max is used to identify and strengthen weaknesses in student understanding in both English/Language Arts and Mathematics. 

1. Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email bbair0@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6634.

USA Learns

USA Learns is used for ESL students and also includes classes in nursing prep and citizenship.

Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email bbair0@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6634.

Aztec

Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email aschak@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6668.

Edmentum

Click here to log in to your account. Not sure of your username or password? Email aschak@sowashco.org or call 651-425-6668.

our mission and vision

The mission of the Adult Basic Education program is to provide learners with a comfortable, challenging, learning and networking environment to enhance work, English language and life skills.

Our vision is to partner with learners to create opportunities where students attend regularly, set personal goals, use technology and make progress while collaborating with community and educational organizations to create pathways for success.

Contact Us

Susie Evans
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Program Manager
651-425-6169
sevans1@sowashco.org

Angela Schak
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Program Coordinator
651-425-6668
aschak@sowashco.org

Becca Bair
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Program Specialist
651-425-6634
bbair0@sowashco.org

Shane Mueller
Great Rivers Adult Education Consortium Transitions Coordinator
651-425-6670
smueller@sowashco.org

Zach Devine
Adult and Alternative Programs Coordinator
651-425-6669
zdevine@sowashco.org