Adult Education

On This Page

Program Overview

The Adult Education Program provides education opportunities for adult learners to help them succeed at work, at home, and in their communities. The program operates four adult learning centers, utilizing paper-based and computer-based testing options. 

 

Never finished high school? A high school equivalency diploma is available through the EBRPSS Adult Education Program. Every year nearly 800,000 adults take the high school equivalency test, opening the doors to higher education, better job opportunities, and increased standards of living. Adults can:

 

  • Review math, reading, language, test-taking, and writing skills
  • Prepare for the HiSET (formerly GED), ACT, SAT, and School Entrance Tests
  • Prepare for employment tests
  • Gain skills required for securing employment

 

Are you college-bound? You may need to refresh your skills in preparation for college. The adult learning program offers both informal and formal college prep courses. You can work independently or in a class setting at an EBRPSS Adult Learning Center.

Adult Learning Centers

Baker Learning Center
Located inside Park Ridge: A Helix Fintech & Performing Arts Academy
5903 Groom Road
Baker, LA 70714
Monday – Thursday | 9:00am – 1:00pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm
(225) 226-7631

ESL/Civics – McAuliffe Center – *Pre-Registration Required*
12000 Goodwood Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70715
Monday – Thursday | 8:30am – 12:30pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Office Hours: Friday | 8:00am – 11:30am
(225) 226-7631

McAuliffe Learning Center
12000 Goodwood Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70815
Monday – Thursday | 9:00am – 8:00pm
(225) 226-7631

Residential Adult Learning Centers (NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

EBR Parish Prison Learning Center
2867 General Isaac Smith 
Scotlandville, LA 70807
(225) 355-3311

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone 18 years of age or older, not enrolled in a K-12 school.* Programs are designed to meet the needs of adults who wish to further their education.

*Individuals who are 16, 17, and 18 years of age may qalify to attend based on state criteria. Please contact the McAuliffe Learning Center at (225) 226-7631 for additional details. 

Most programs are offered FREE of charge.

Hours are flexible and students can set their own schedules.

Hours vary at each center. Evening/night programs are available at the Baker and Christa McAuliffe centers.

After registration and testing have been completed and a course of study has been developed, a start date will be assigned.

The Adult Education program is an individual, self-paced program so completion times vary.

A set number of hours is not required, but a recommendation will be made during the registration process.

Contact the center of your choice for re-enrollment instructions. See the “Adult Learning Centers” tab above for the contact information for each location.

HiSET (previously GED)

Beginning January 1, 2014, the Louisiana High School Equivalency diploma will be based on the HiSET test from Educational Testing Service (ETS) instead of the GED test.

Please note that pre-registration is required. Contact the Baker or McAuliffe Adult Learning Center or visit hiset.ets.org for additional HiSET
registration information.

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

Individuals who are at least 19 years of age or older are eligible to take the test without enrolling in Adult Education or passing a qualifying test. Individuals who are 16, 17, and 18 years of age must achieve qualifying scores on the HiSET Official Practice Test AND have an authorized agent complete the Louisiana Authorization Form prior to testing. Anyone completing the Youth Challenge Program or a home school program is eligible to enroll.

 

Individuals who are 17 and 18 years old must:

 

    • Provide documentation of withdrawal from K-12 system
    • Enroll in an approved adult education class
    • Pass the Official High School Equivalency Practice Test

 

Individuals who are 16 and 17 years old must meet the above criteria in addition to one of the following:

 

    • Pregnant or parenting
    • Incarcerated or adjudicated
    • Institutionalized or living in a residential facility
    • Have a chronic physical or mental illness
    • Family or economic hardship

 

Individuals 15 years or younger are not allowed to take the high school equivalency test or enroll in classes at a WRU Literacy Provider. Individuals may earn a High School Equivalency diploma by passing an exam that verifies that they have gained the knowledge equivalent to accepted high school standards. The tests on the exam cover English Language Arts and reading, English Language Arts and writing, math, science, and social studies.

Registration is now available for qualified individuals. Visit an Adult Learning Center to register for the test or go to hiset.ets.org to register.

How to Schedule a HiSet Testing Appointment:

Step 1: Before you schedule your appointment, please review the requirements for taking the HiSET exam in Louisiana. You need to agree
that you meet these eligibility requirements when scheduled to take the HiSET exam.

Step 2: Find a testing center near you.

Step 3: Schedule your appointment

If you have any questions, please call ETS Customer Service at 1-855-MyHiSet (1-855-694-4738).

Registration/Test Fees

Paper-delivered tests: $21 ($15 ETS fee, $6 test center fee)

Computer-delivered tests: $16.75 ($10.75 ETS fee, $6 test center fee)

A $10 annual state administration fee will be collected when you register for your first sub-test; this is an annual fee and will be collected
once every 12 months

You will receive two retests per sub-test; however, you must pay the $6 test center fee each time you take a sub-test

Please log in to your HiSET account or call ETS Customer Service at 1-855-MyHiSet (1-855-694-4738) for more information.

Fees payable by debit or credit card (American Express®, MasterCard®, Discover®, VISA®, and JCB), PayPal®, or eCheck.

For more information on fees and refunds, visit the “Test Takers” page at hiset.ets.org.

Waiver to Exit School

Who can request a waiver to exit school?

 

  • Students who are 16 and 17 years of age may request a waiver to exit school to enter adult education. 
  • Students who are 16 or 17 years of age and currently enrolled in an East Baton Rouge Parish School System school must report to their assigned school to obtain and complete the waiver form.
  • Students who are 16 or 17 years of age and live in East Baton Rouge Parish and have been most recently enrolled in a home school program or an out-of-parish or out-of-state school  must report to the appropriate EBRPSS school in the attendance zone in which they live to obtain and complete the waiver form. To locate your school/school system, click here.
  • Students who are 16 and 17 years of age and live outside of East Baton Rouge Parish or who have been most recently enrolled in a charter, home school, online, private, or RSD school must obtain the form from that agency/institution or the school district in which they live and submit the form to the superintendent or agency administrator of that institution for approval.


NOTE: Non-EBRPSS schools/officials may obtain a copy of the waiver form by sending an email request to adulted@ebrschools.org or by calling (225) 226-7661.

 

Proper Documentation

 

The waiver to exit request must be submitted with proper documentation. The following items must be included:

    • Age Waiver Counseling form (EBRPSS Students only)
    • Completed Age Waiver Request to exit school
    • Documentation of the need for the waiver based on one of the categories listed below:
      • Pregnant or actively parenting
      • Incarcerated or adjudicated
      • Institutionalized or living in a residential facility
      • Chronic physical or mental illness
      • Family and/or economic hardships – family and/or economic hardship is defined as a student who acts a caregiver or must work to support the family due to a parent’s death or illness, or needs to be removed from an existing home environment.

Once the completed waiver to exit packet is received, it will be reviewed by the appropriate  EBRPSS Executive Director and the EBRPSS Director of Adult Education. 

Once approved, the EBRPSS Director of Adult Education will forward a copy of the approved age waiver to the assigned Adult Education Program. The assigned Adult Education Program must have an approved waiver BEFORE the student may enroll in Adult Education.

Once the student has completed orientation and enrollment in Adult Education, a copy of the approved waiver will be provided to the referring school with an effective drop date.

 

Exception to the 16 and 17 Year Old Age Waiver Requirements

 

  • Students in the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program (YCP) must present a copy of the graduation certificate/letter verifying participation in YCP or if recently dismissed from the program must present a copy of the letter of dismissal
  • Married 16 and 17 year olds must submit a copy of their marriage licenses
  • Emancipated 16 and 17 year olds must submit a copy of their emancipation documents
  • Students who have graduated from a K-12 program must present a copy of their diploma

ESL English Classes

We offer classes to adults who do not speak English as their native language. The ESL English Classes help students improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing English skills at all levels. Enrollment is a 3-step process that includes registration, orientation, and testing. Only after all three steps will the student be placed in an ESL English class that matches their level. 

 

Step 1: Registration

 

There is limited face-to-face registration. Go to the Christa McAuliffe Adult Learning Center at 12000 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, to pick up registration papers. Please call (225) 226-7631 for help. 

Online Registration is available here in English or in Spanish. Be sure to answer all questions and submit the form.

 

Step 2: Orientation

 

Orientation will explain the procedures and policies for the Adult Ed school and ESL classes. There is limited face-to-face orientation in small groups. Your time is scheduled on the registration papers.

Online orientation is offered at 8:30am and 6:00pm

      • You must register through EventBrite for the date of orientation you wish to attend
      • Immediate sessions are July 27-30, please click the times listed below to reigster
      • More will be offered in August, please check here for future updates

Please call (225) 226-7631 with any questions.

 

Step 3: Testing

 

To be determined by ACL staff. 

This site will be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance beginning at 5PM on July 2, 2025. We anticipate the site will be restored by 8:30PM on July 2, 2025. We apologize for any inconvenience.