Education Forward
For adults, earning your GED or high school equivalency can create a pathway to reach your future college and career goals and can help break the cycle of generational poverty in our community.
The Education Forward program is designed to work with adults, primarily from the West Side neighborhoods of Cincinnati, to gain the skills necessary to advance their education and career goals. Education Forward accomplishes this by providing an environment where students set their path toward success. Our instructors can offer a range of support, including English literacy classes, high school equivalency preparation, and GED testing assistance; college and career readiness workshops, FAFSA help, emergency financial support, academic advising, and tutoring for placement exams or coursework; and career mentorship, connections to workforce development resources, and other job search services.
We also strive to remove as many barriers as possible to empower adults to reengage with education and meet their individual goals. Classes are always free, and students can attend classes when they are able, around their work schedules or family obligations. Resources such as transportation assistance, childcare, housing support, citizenship preparation, emergency food, and other wraparound services are open to all students.
Register for Classes
Interested adults should click the appropriate box below to start the registration process. Once you have filled out the form, an instructor will contact you to set up an appointment to complete your enrollment.
Please note, due to exponential demand for enrollment, English registration and classes are currently on pause until Fall 2023. Check back here for updates!
GED Preparation & College Support
Our GED preparation and college support resources meet adult learners where they are in a supportive and non-“school-like” place. We recognize that earning high school equivalency (commonly, a GED) is a key step in reaching future goals. We seek to help students to re-engage in education, advance grade levels, succeed in earning their high school equivalency, and move forward in their college or career ambitions.
Our tutors work with each student one-on-one to define their learning goals and set their desired studying pace. Enrollment is open to all adults over the age of 18 and from all geographic regions.
English Classes
Our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) instruction is a safe and welcoming place for adult learners to study English at their own pace.
Instruction is available to adults of any age and any English level. Small group class levels offered include Preliteracy, Basic English, Intermediate English, Advanced English, Advanced Writing, and Citizenship Preparation.
Our current students represent more than 40 countries of origin.
Student Support
We offer a range of support to help remove obstacles that prevent students from re-engaging in education. Our goal is to create a supportive and family-like environment where each student can reach their full potential. All of our instruction and related support are free.
Childcare
We offer on-site childcare to all students while they attend instruction and tutoring. Our childcare is open from 9am-2:30pm for ages 6 months to 5 years.
Transportation Assistance
Students in any program, who attend consistently, can apply for transportation assistance. Qualified students receive bus fare cards to get to and from our Main Building.
Other Resources
Students may also access additional resources available at Community Matters, including the Community Market food pantry, job search support, and other opportunities.
Need Help?
If you need help, are not sure where to start, or want to learn more about our program, give us a call at (513) 244-2214 extension 203.