ELL
How many locations do we offer classes in?
4 + online
*Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Washington, Coralville
Does it cost to attend to get my diploma?
No, it is free.
What is the difference between GED and HiSET?
These are brand names. The GED was a past test that used to be written at an 8th grade level.
The HiSET has been with Iowa for the past 6 years and is written at an 12th grade level.
What qualifications do instructors need to work in Secondary Programs?
All instructors are required to have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree.
All ELL instructors have degrees in Education, Linguistics, or TESOL. 87% have a Masters or higher
All HSED/Diploma instructors must have a valid Iowa Teaching License.
What options are available for learning during Covid?
Face to face for diploma/HSED
Online ELL/HSED/Diploma
What languages do we serve?
All languages with over 25 languages represented
What do I need to complete my high school diploma?
You must have a transcript from your previous school(s) in order to work on the diploma.
Can I just start taking tests?
No, your CASAS test will guide us in determining your length of time. 12 hours is the minimum if you do well on the tests.
I could use extra help with my learning. What is available for me?
We do offer free tutoring for our students. Attendance is crucial because our tutors volunteer their time for our students.
Do I have to wear a mask or can I just walk into the buildings?
You must wear a mask and you must have an appointment in order to enter the buildings. No food or drink is allowed.
Can anyone take English Language classes?
No, if you are already enrolled in HSED, ELA, or the University, or if you score too high on the CASAS it is not available. You must also live in our 7 county region.
What if I have a lot of classes to complete?
We would advise you to work on the HiSET option instead of working toward your diploma.
What do classes look like for the HiSET?
Classes are face to face, with social distancing, along with Zoom. They are M-Th for 1-2 hours. The classes run 7 weeks in duration. We do have leveled classes and students are placed according to their CASAS scores.
How old do you have to be to enter our programs?
16 and 9 months
I don't have technology at home. Do you have any I can borrow?
We do have IPads, laptops, and hot spots available for students to check out for attending classes.
How many levels of classes are offered?
We offer 6 levels of ELL classes with a total of 32 classes available
What are the requirements for obtaining my high school diploma?
4 years of English, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math, and 10 Electives. You get 90 days to complete a semester course. We have 60 courses offered including online.
When are classes offered?
M-Th morning and evening times available
Our courses are 7 weeks per session
Are there any additional supports with Covid that have been put into place?
Some funding with the CARES Act, was distributed to our students early on. The Kirkwood Foundation supplemented these funds.
Is there an educational background requirement for students?
No, we accept students with all educational backgrounds from those who have advanced degrees in their home countries, to those that have never had formal schooling before attending KCC.
What is an Option 3?
What is an Option 4?
Option 3 is a student that has an AA degree from an accredited college. A high school diploma will be given after meeting the minimum requirements.
Option 4 is a student that has a college degree from an accredited college from a Foreign country. Once it is translated into English and it shows they have a Citizenship class, they will be offered a diploma after meeting the minimum requirements.
Are scholarships available for testing?
Yes, students must apply with a written essay on why they believe they would benefit from this scholarship and have an instructor write a recommendation.
What do we offer for Workforce contextualized training?
IET, IELCE, Nordstrom, Transportation
Does Title 2 offer students free PPE?
Yes, masks and hand sanitizers are available for students.