Community Education program teaches Round Rock adults

Community Education program teaches Round Rock adults

By Rachel Youens Saturday, 07 October 2006

The Community Education program is sending parents and adults back to school in the Round Rock Independent School District. The low cost courses, available to anyone in the community, are still enrolling through October and November for the fall semester.

When the superintendent began receiving requests from parents about offering adult classes at Round Rock High School in 1978, a few core courses were introduced and paid for out of the district’s budget. Today, because of the program’s success, the district now offers children’s courses and after-school programs, charging a small tuition rather than tapping into RRISD funding. Last year, over the course of their three semesters, 5,000 people enrolled in community education classes.

One advantage of holding the classes in district facilities is that it helps keep costs down. A five-week SAT course through the Community Education program costs $154, whereas professional testing services can charge upwards of $800. The program also accommodates adults by including topics like financial planning and substitute teaching, and offers courses both in-classroom and online.

Though some children’s after-school programs are limited only to students that attend the school, adult classes are open to any adult regardless of whether they live in the RRISD or have a child enrolled there.

For more information, visit www.roundrockisd.org.