Our Mission: Fresno Adult School is committed to providing life-long learning opportunities for adults and their families to improve their skills, pursue knowledge, seek advancement, and enhance their self-worth. We believe the quality of tomorrow’s Fresno and surrounding Central Valley communities is the result of today’s investment in our diverse community.
Adult education in Fresno was established in 1910. By 1922, Fresno Adult School offered courses at various satellite campuses, including Fresno Normal School, which was located on the site where our main campus resides today. In the early 1940s, the main program, which consisted of an evening only program, was relocated to the Roosevelt High School campus, where it resided until the late 1970’s, at which time it moved to Manchester School. In the early 1980’s, Manchester School was converted to a GATE program, and Fresno Adult School was moved to the former Hamilton Junior High campus, where its day programs grew significantly.
In 1996, the Hamilton campus was converted to a freshman school as a result of overcrowding at nearby Fresno High School. Fresno Adult School’s main program was moved to two campuses (Bond Street and Fine Street). Construction on the César E. Chávez Adult Education Center was scheduled to begin in 1996, but it was delayed. After six years of planning and one year of construction, the César E. Chávez Adult Education Center opened its doors on January 3, 2000.
Fresno Adult School has successfully functioned within the Fresno Unified School District for nearly 100 years. During these years, our school has grown and significantly expanded its educational and Career and Technical Education training programs to the benefit of Fresno area residents.
Fresno Adult School Programs
Our school offers a variety of programs and courses to meet the diverse needs of adult learners in the Fresno community. Programs offered by Fresno Adult School provide educational experiences and options that foster successful academic achievement and/or social growth for students. Our classes are held in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, and on weekends in order to accommodate the diverse learning needs of the adults in the community. Apportionment classes are taught by certificated teachers credentialed in appropriate subject areas. Programs supporting Fresno Adult School’s goals are as follows:
1) English as a Second Language (ESL)
2) Adult Basic Education (ABE)
3) Citizenship preparation
4) GED preparation and testing
5) High School Diploma and Independent Study
6) Career and Technical Education and Training
7) Parenting
8) Older Adult Education
9) Adults with Disabilities
10) Community Education