Rio Salado College

Rio Salado College has been offering in-person adult education classes since 1978 and is the largest provider in Arizona. Named a Top Five Best Online School in Arizona by Accredited Online School, we have been a leader in educating students for nearly 40 years.

At Rio Salado, you will get a quality education at a price you can afford. We are a fraction of the cost of a four-year university. We offer smaller classes, which means you’ll get more support along the way. You’ll also have the flexibility to take classes when and where you want—day, night, weekday or weekend.

Services They Provide:

Educational Resources

  • GED

  • College Preparation

Programs:

In-person GED® test preparation classes

  • Classes for students who did not complete high school and for high school graduates who need to review basic reading, writing, and math skills.

  • In Partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa

    • Location: CPLC Empowerment Center, Desert Sky Mall

    • For More Information including cost and eligibility, call 480.517.8116

  • In Partnership with South Mountain Community College

    • Location: Main Campus & Guadalupe Center

    • For More Information including cost and eligibility, call 480.517.8116

  • We also offer In-person GED® Test Preparation Classes in Spanish

    • Location: Varies

    • For More Information including cost and eligibility, call 480.517.8116

Online GED® test preparation classes

  • Online GED® classes prepare students for the GED® test to obtain their high school equivalency diploma.

    • For more information including cost and eligibility, call 480-517-8116

In-person English language classes

  • Classes for non-native English speakers that focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking the English language.

Industry-Specific Workforce Training:

  • Students enrolled in GED® test preparation and English language classes also have the opportunity to engage in workforce preparation, employment skills training, and industry-specific training courses in:

    • Business Entrepreneurship

    • Retail Industry Fundamentals

    • Computer Applications

    • Advanced Manufacturing

    • Food Preparation

Additional Services Provided

  • Wrap-around support services are provided at all locations providing students access to Advisors, Counselors, College Navigators, Disability Resources and Services, Career Services, and College Transition

  • Tutoring Services also available

  • Integrated Education and Training (IET) or career training offered in the following areas:

    • Business Entrepreneurship - CCL Entrepreneurial Studies Level I

    • Computer Applications - Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

    • Food Preparation

    • Mill Operator - Coming Soon

    • Retail Industry Fundamentals - NRF Foundation® - RISE Up Retail Industry Fundamentals Credential

  • Scholarship and Transition Opportunities

    • Students are eligible for scholarships through Adults Achieving a College Education (Adult ACE) and Distinguished Transitions (DT). Students must attend a recruitment information session and continue working on their GED credential.  Adult ACE can be both online and in-person. DT is online only.

  • Adult ACE is a college and career pathways program based on the Maricopa Colleges ACE cohort model. Adult ACE students simultaneously attend in-person, web-enhanced, or online college courses and their GED® test preparation or high-level English language classes. The Adult ACE program is offered at RSC Northern, RSC Thomas, and RSC Southern while students from all six Rio Salado College adult education locations are eligible to participate. Benefits of the program include scholarships and support services provided by a dedicated student services specialist.

    • Students may transfer seamlessly to 100s of certificate and degree programs through Rio Salado College and the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges

Eligibility

  • Open to students 16 years and older, who are not enrolled in a K-12 school

  • Must be able to provide proof of lawful presence (Arizona Revised Statute 15-232)

Required Documents

  • Open to students 16 years and older, who are not enrolled in a K-12 school. Students must also provide proof of lawful presence (Arizona Revised Statute 15-232)

  • Students are required to provide two forms of identification if they do not have one of the following:

    • AZ State Driver's License

    • AZ Identification Card

    • Enhanced Driver's License from another State

    • A Current U.S. Passport, U.S. Military ID Card, or a Permanent Resident ID Card

Cost of Services

  • Students pay a registration fee of $25 to $70 based on a sliding scale (income and number in the household) for 16-weeks of instruction

Times/Days Program Offered

  • Program is year-round and offers multiple start dates

  • Classes run in 16-week curriculum blocks

  • Morning and evening class schedules are available with days and times varying depending upon location

  • Minimum of nine hours of classroom instruction/support per week

Languages our institution has translators for:

  • TBD