Kent ISD, GRCC and Kentwood Public Schools Open New Locations for Adult Education
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Kent ISD Adult Education is partnering with Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) and Kentwood Public Schools to offer more classes in new locations to adults seeking GEDs and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Starting in fall 2024, GED classes will be held inside GRCC’s Sneden Hall at 415 Fulton St, E. in downtown Grand Rapids. ESL and GED classes will be offered evenings at Crossroads Alternative High, 28 60th St. SE in Kentwood.
“We are excited to partner with GRCC and Kentwood Public Schools to add Adult Education classes downtown and in Kentwood where many students can access campus by bus or from nearby neighborhoods,” said Sue Gardner, Kent ISD Assistant Superintendent of Career and Talent Development. “Our free classes help adults create brighter futures by obtaining GED’s, improving English language skills and obtaining specialized technical training that can lead to professional and personal advancement.”
“This new partnership will allow more students to achieve their goals,” said GRCC President Dr. Charles Lepper, “We already provide ESL services and a high school completion program with Grand Rapids Public Schools at GRCC. Bringing more offerings from Kent ISD gives students numerous options to best meet their needs.”
“Kentwood Public Schools exists to serve our community,” said Kevin Polston, Superintendent, Kentwood Public Schools. “We see this collaboration with community partners to provide GED and ESL classes at Crossroads as a great learning opportunity for adults in our community and are pleased to be part of this effort.”
In addition to the new GRCC and Kentwood Kent ISD Adult Education locations, ESL and GED courses and testing are available at 3600 Byron Center Ave. SW. in Wyoming. These new locations replace programming previously offered at Beckwith School on Leonard St. NE in Grand Rapids. Enrollment is open now to adults age 18 and up.
Please direct media inquiries to Joy Walczak, Kent ISD Communications Specialist at joywalczak@kentisd.org or 906.632.6290.
About Grand Rapids Community College
GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college – and is focused on making college education accessible and affordable. Classes are scheduled in person and online, on weekdays, evenings, and Saturdays at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties. We offer traditional liberal arts and occupational career pathways, adult education courses, and skilled training courses and apprenticeships.
About Kentwood Public Schools
Kentwood Public Schools (KPS) is the second largest district in Kent County serving more than 9,300 students. KPS is the most diverse district in Michigan and the fourth most diverse district in the nation. With strong community support, Kentwood Public Schools is committed to achieving its vision of Excellence and Equity in Education for every student by providing caring classrooms and innovative instruction by a dedicated staff
Kent ISD is a regional educational service agency devoted to achievement for all students. We provide instructional and administrative services to more than 300 schools, 20 public districts, three non-public districts and 26 charter schools within our boundaries. We serve the broader community by helping our schools prepare nearly 120,000 students for school and life success.
