For immediate use                                                        For more information, contact

September 22, 2006                                                     Nancy Holgers 952-681-6170

SHAPE provides convenient Bloomington classes in

Adult ESL, GED and High School Diploma

Bloomington adults have a convenient location for free classes to learn English, earn a GED or complete work on their high school diplomas. South Hennepin Adult Programs in Education (SHAPE) houses many of its adult basic education services in Bloomington's Community Education Campus.  The campus is centrally located at 2575 W. 88th St., with bus service nearby.

Preparation in the five areas of the General Education Development (GED) exam also is available.  Small classes with volunteer tutors help learners improve their reading, writing and math skills before taking the GED exams.  The Adult Diploma Program offers day and evening classes for adults over age 20 who are working to earn a high school diploma. 

A separate diploma program for students under age 21 provides an alternative for young people whose life circumstances make it difficult to succeed in a traditional high school.  The program serves those who have fallen behind in high school, want a program that better fits their individual needs or have dropped out and want to return to graduate.

SHAPE's Brush-Up Program also helps working adults strengthen their skills in reading, math and writing. The Basic Skills program allows learners to work at their own pace to refresh their skills before taking a trade test or school entrance exam or learn basic literacy skills for the first time. 

SHAPE offers ESL classes Bloomington as well as Richfield, Edina and Eden Prairie.  Day and evening classes are scheduled Monday through Saturday with students taking a placement test to determine a class that best meets their needs.

SHAPE also offers a Family Literacy Program, Workplace ESL and the Learning Exchange to help adults with disabilities with customized Community Education classes. The Volunteer Connection also trains volunteers who seek the opportunity to help others build literacy skills.

For information about any of these programs, call 952-681-6170 or go to www.shapeschool.info