Portland Adult Education

Portland Adult Education inspires lifelong learning in a culturally diverse environment. Our students are studying to obtain a high school diploma, pass the GED, prepare for college, or simply speak English better while working full-time and raising families. We welcome volunteers to assist as tutors or aides in classes. Courses offered include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), U.S. citizenship, math, science, history, basic reading and writing, GED preparation, and computing. Training for volunteers is not required but may be available. The commitment is 2 hours per week for at least one trimester. The minimum age is 18.

Description:
Portland Adult Education operates 52 weeks of the year, Monday through Friday, in sites throughout the city. The two major locations are 1600 Forest Avenue (Riverton School) which hosts the Vocational and Community Life Programs, and 57 Douglass Street, the site of the Academic Program. Satellite programs include the Street Academy for Homeless Youth, Family Workshop, Certified Nurses Assistant, the College Connection Certificate, Pathways to Employment/ASPIRE, Office Certificate, Customer Service Certificate, and ESOL Even Start.

History:
Portland Public Schools opened an evening school in 1849 for 37 students. By 1924 enrollment had grown to over 1,200 students. In 1994 Portland Adult Education received an award from the Department of Education for being one of the top ten "Outstanding Adult Education and Literacy Programs" in the United States. Currently, over 2,000 students from more than 65 different countries attend classes in the Academic Program.

Contact people:

Catharine Murray, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Kristen Stevens, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (207) 874-8155
Office fax number: 207-874-8154

Address:

57 Douglass Street Portland, ME 04102 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.portlandadulted.org

Directions:

From the south (Intown Portland: Follow Congress Street (Route 22) across St. John Street and under the I-295 overpass. After I-295 Douglass Street is the next right. Turn right onto Douglass Street about 100 yards to the PAE sign on the right. West School sits behind a row of houses. From the northwest (outer Congress Street/Westbrook) area: Follow Congress Street (Route 22) toward Portland. When you see the I-295 overpass, be in left lane. Douglass Street is directly across Congress Street from the I-295 South on-ramp. (First ramp heading in that direction.) Turn left onto Douglass Street about 100 yards to the PAE sign on the right. West School sits behind a row of houses. From Intown Portland using Brighton Avenue (Route 25: Follow Brighton Avenue to railroad tracks. Cross the tracks and Douglass Street is the first left.(Portland Water District is visible on your left and there´s a PAE-West School sign on the corner.) Turn left onto Douglass Street and drive nearly to the other end. You´ll see West School at the end of a big athletic field. At the PAE sign, turn left to the school. West School sits behind a row of houses. From Portland suburbs/Westbrook area: Follow Brighton Avenue (Route 25) towards Portland. Start looking after you go down a big hill. Just before the railroad tracks (do not cross) you´ll see the Portland Water District and a PAE sign on the corner of Douglass Street. Turn right onto Douglass Street and drive nearly to the other end. You´ll see West School at the end of a big athletic field. At the PAE sign, turn left to the school. West School sits behind a row of houses. Arriving on the Maine Turnpike from the south: Exit Turnpike on either Exit 6A-I-295 (additional toll) or Exit 7 (no additional toll and follow signs short distance to I-295 on-ramp). Leave I-295 on Congress Street exit and follow signs to Congress Street (Route 22) West. You drive under I-295 and Douglass Street is the first right. Turn right onto Douglass Street about 100 yards to the PAE sign on the right. West School sits behind a row of houses. Arriving on Maine Turnpike from the north: Exit Turnpike at Exit 9 in Falmouth. Take the I-295 (it´s a little drive) ramp to Portland and exit the first Congress Street off-ramp. Immediately on Congress Street you come to Douglass Street on your right. Turn right onto Douglass Street about 100 yards to the PAE sign on the right. West School sits behind a row of houses. Arriving on I-295 from the south: Leave I-295 on Congress Street exit and follow signs to Congress Street (Route 22) West. You drive under I-295 and Douglass Street is the first right. Turn right onto Douglass Street about 100 yards to the PAE sign on the right. West School sits behind a row of houses. Arriving on I-295 from the north: Exit the first Congress Street off-ramp. Immediately on Congress Street you come to Douglass Street on your right. Turn right onto Douglass Street about 100 yards to the PAE sign on the right. West School sits behind a row of houses   Nearest Bus Stop: Congress Street at Massachusetts Avenue For maps or information, please see http://www.portlandmaine.worldweb.com/Transportation/PublicTransit

Miscellaneous Information

What is your TTY phone number?
	207-874-8162
This agency has United Way funded programs
	No
The agency places volunteers in these categories:
	Physically disabled, Adults

Last updated on July 6, 2009