GED, ESL, & Literacy Tutoring
Earn your State of Illinois High School Diploma (GED) or improve your Reading or Math skills
Did you know that GED graduates are more likely to be employed and earn $10,000 more per year than people without a high school diploma?
Getting your GED is the first step on your path to your career goals and will set yourself, your children, and your grandchildren up for success.
Steps to Getting Your GED
Once the steps below have been completed, you will have earned your State of Illinois High School Diploma.
- Enroll by filling out the GED enrollment form.
- If you are under the age of 18, you must provide a withdrawal letter from your high school.
- Attend an orientation (intake session) – a reading and math assessment will be given (think of them as placement tests).
- Start attending class and work through the subjects at your own pace (minimum 6 hours per week).
- Take each individual GED subject test (language art, math, science, and social studies) when you are ready. Most students study one subject at a time.
- Complete the Illinois Constitution module.
How to Enroll
Complete the enrollment form and pick an orientation date. This is an in-person intake session. Make sure to click ‘continue’ at the bottom of each page until you can ‘submit’. Unless you hear from us, you can expect to attend the orientation on the date you picked. If you do not have internet access or need help with the forms, please contact our Transition Coordinator by calling 217.641.4951 or texting 573-494-2114.
After the orientation, you will be ready to start attending class. Our staff will assist you in your studies and walk you through the GED process.
We look forward to helping you achieve your academic and career goals!
If you have any questions prior to enrolling, please submit a request for information.
Cost to attend
There is no cost to the students for materials or classes. There is a fee for the GED testing, but grant funds may be available to pay for it.
Completing the GED
The time it takes to complete the GED varies based on the following factors:
- Current academic skill levels.
- Academic abilities and life experience
- Effort and time dedicated to the studies
Enroll using the link below
For questions or information
For questions regarding the GED program, please fill out the form below or contact our Adult Education Transition Coordinator by calling 217.641.4951 or texting 573.494.2114.
Fall Class Schedule
All students must complete an enrollment form and attend an in-person orientation to attend classes.
| City | Location | Days | Times |
| Quincy | JWCC, 1301 S. 48th St. (D147) | Monday & Wednesday | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| JWCC, 1301 S. 48th St. (D147) - childcare Wednesdays | Monday & Wednesday | 5 PM - 8 PM | |
| Bella Ease; 721 Broadway (childcare Tuesday/Thursday) | Monday thru Thursday | 9 AM - 12 PM | |
| Quincy Public Library, 526 Jersey | Wednesday & Thursday | 1 PM - 4 PM | |
| Pittsfield | JWCC Southeast Education Center; 39637 260th Ave | Monday & Wednesday | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| Mt. Sterling | JWCC Mt. Sterling Education Center; 108 N. Capitol Ave | Tuesday +3 hours online | 5 PM - 8 PM |
| Camp Point | First Christian Church, 210 S. Ohio St | Tuesday +3 hours online | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| Online | Remote | Flexible | Flexible |
“It’s never too late. If you put the time and effort in, you can do anything.”
Melissa Baum
Program duration
The time it takes to become proficient varies based on several factors including:
- Current English skills
- Language learning abilities
- Effort and time spent studying
ESL (English as a Second Language)
Learn to read, write, and speak English.
Free English classes for English learners age 17 and older, who live in the JWCC district and wish to improve their English language skills to communicate and interact successfully in the workplace, school, and community. All students must be residents of Illinois and are required to complete an orientation before starting classes. Orientations are held once a month at each class location.
Sign up by completing the ESL enrollment form below. Unless you hear otherwise, you can expect to attend orientation on the date you chose.
Once you’ve completed the enrollment form and the orientation, you’ll be able to start attending class.
Class Schedule
All students must complete an in-person orientation to be able to start attending class.
| City | Location | Days | Times |
| Quincy | JWCC, 1301 S. 48th St. (D147) | Monday & Wednesday | 1 PM - 4 PM |
| Pittsfield | JWCC Southeast Education Center, 39637 260th Ave | CLOSED - not accepting new students at this time | |
| Online | Online | Monday & Wednesday +2 hours independently online | 6 PM - 8 PM |
Literacy
Do you need help improving your reading or math skills, or need to learn English as a Second Language?
Adults who live in the JWCC district, are 17 years or older, and not enrolled in high school, may be eligible to enroll in the Literacy Services program. Students will be matched with a trained volunteer tutor and will meet once a week at a time and place that is convenient. The program is free and confidential.
Become a Volunteer Tutor!
The goal of Literacy Services is to reduce adult illiteracy within the JWCC District by providing effective, non-threatening, and easily accessible literacy instruction and by building public awareness of the issue of adult illiteracy. Tutors may enroll in the program anytime during the year.
Literacy Services matches trained volunteers on a one-to-one basis with non-reading or low-level reading adults, and with adults who need to learn English as a Second Language. The program is free to both tutors and students. Tutors are provided required free training. Times and locations for tutoring are flexible and worked out between tutor and learner. Privacy and confidentiality are assured as students proceed through lessons designed to help them meet their personal goals.
