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Adult Basic Education offers free GED classes this month

2013-02-28

If you left high school without graduating and have considered earning a GED certificate, now is the time and the Southwestern Illinois College Adult Basic Education department stands ready to help you!

“We are encouraging individuals – whether they’ve not yet started or have studies in progress – to complete their GED in 2013,” notes SWIC GED Director Vicki Whitener-Lepanto, Ed.D. “The currently administered GED test is being revamped. Current scores will expire at the end of 2013.”

That means individuals will have to re-take portions they have already passed if they haven’t earned their GED by the end of December, notes Whitener-Lepanto In addition, individuals currently have an option to take the test on paper or electronically, but the test will only be administered electronically beginning in 2014. Finally, testing fees will increase in 2014.

Several free SWIC GED high school equivalency test preparation classes get under way in St. Clair, Madison and Randolph counties in March. The classes are open to anyone who has not yet received a high school diploma.

See the list below or visit swic.edu/abe for information on upcoming classes. Register at the beginning of the first night of class.

Daytime GED classes will meet Monday, March 18 through Thursday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the following locations:

  • SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave.  
  • SWIC Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, 4950 Maryville Road  
  • Cahokia – Holy Family School, 116 Church St.  
  • East St. Louis Community College Center, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. 

A day class will meet at the Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St., starting Monday, March 25 and ending Thursday, May 2. Individuals meet Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11:50 a.m.
Evening classes begin Tuesday, March 12 at two locations. Individuals attend from 5:30-8:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Thursday, May 2 at:

A day class will meet at the , 500 W. South Fourth St., starting Monday, March 25 and ending Thursday, May 2. Individuals meet Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11:50 a.m.Evening classes begin Tuesday, March 12 at two locations. Individuals attend from 5:30-8:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Thursday, May 2 at:

  • Collinsville High School, 2201 S. Morrision Ave.  
  • Highland Middle School, 2813 State Route 160 


Evening classes begin Tuesday, March 19 at three locations. Individuals attend from 5:30-8:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Thursday, May 2 at:

  • SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave. 
  • SWIC Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, 4950 Maryville Road 

An additional evening class will be held at the East St. Louis Community College Center, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., Tuesday, March 19 through Thursday, May 9. Individuals attend Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:20 p.m.

For more information about GED classes, call 618-235-2700, ext. 5525, or toll free in Illinois at 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5525.