2025-2026 Surry Community College Catalog 
    
    May 17, 2025  
2025-2026 Surry Community College Catalog

College and Career Readiness Programs


College and Career Readiness Programs

College and Career Readiness Programs consist of Adult Basic Education (ABE), High School Equivalency (HSE), English Language Acquisitions (ELA), Adult High School (AHS) and Basic Skills Plus. Books, materials and instruction for all College and Career Readiness classes are FREE OF CHARGE.

Students must be at least 16 years old to enroll in the College and Career Readiness programs. If students are under 18, they need to complete a Surry Community College student release form available online at www.surry.edu/hse or from one of our learning centers.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Adult Basic Education is a program of instruction designed for adults who already have a high school diploma but need to improve their reading, writing, math and employability skills to function more effectively in society, on a job, or in the family.

Surry offers ABE classes designed specifically for adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. The focus of these classes is to improve the individual’s independence by acquiring necessary basic life skills from math and reading skills to job development. Students also gain appropriate communication and socialization skills as well as full access to a computer lab. For more information, contact Nichole Shores at (336) 386-3441 or shoresrn@surry.edu.

Basic Skills Plus

The Basic Skills Plus program is for anyone interested in earning CNA I or Welding Technology certificate while obtaining a HSE or AHS Diploma. This program was developed to provide employability skills, job-specific occupational and technical skills, and developmental education instruction to students concurrently enrolled in a community college course leading to a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Students must be enrolled in an HSE/AHS program first and then register for the Basic Skills Plus Pathway. All students must be NC residents and have a 9th grade reading level. Tuition is free; students may be eligible for other scholarships or grants that will cover the textbook and supply costs. For more information, contact Jennifer Pardue, CCR/HRD Director at (336) 386-3675 or parduejs@surry.edu.

Those interested in the Basic Skills Plus program should refer to the Nurse Aide I Workforce Career Certificate page or the Welding Workforce Career Certificate page in this catalog.

High School Equivalency Diploma

High School Equivalency (HSE)

Surry Community College offers two assessment options for earning a High School Equivalency Diploma. Students can take either the General Educational Development (GED®) Test or the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET™). Successful passage of either test results in High School Equivalency Diploma issued by the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges. Free preparation classes are offered to give students an opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills needed to successfully pass the tests. For more information, please visit www.surry.edu/hse or contact Courtney Jackson at (336) 386-3663 or jacksoncd@surry.edu.

Adult High School Diploma

Adult High School (AHS)

Earn an Adult High School diploma by completing the online required credits. The number of credits and specified course meet the Future-Ready Core requirements provided by the NC State Board of Education. The program is available online, but it is recommended that students complete the coursework within the classroom lab. Candidates for the AHS online program must provide an official transcript of high school(s) attended, need fewer than six credits, schedule an appointment with Courtney Jackson for transcript evaluation and be at least 16 years old (with a completed Student Release Form). For more information, contact Courtney Jackson at (336) 386-3663 or jacksoncd@surry.edu.

English Language Acquisitions (ELA)

ELA classes provide a means for speakers of other languages to learn English communication skills as well as American customs and history. For more information, call (336) 386-3660.

Las classes de ELA ayudan a las personas que hablan otro idioma diferente al Ingles, a adquirir las habilidades para aprender a comunicarse en el idioma Ingles, al mismo tiempo que aprenden las costumbres de los Estados Unidos y su historia. Para mayor información sobre las clases, llame al 336-386-3660.

Citizenship Pathway

The College and Career Readiness program is now offering a course to prepare students with resources, direction, and skills necessary for the process of applying for U.S. citizenship. The course is available in Dobson, Monday - Thursday and Yadkinville, Tuesday-Thursday. Enrolled students receive instruction to improve literary and mathematical skills to assist them in obtaining their High School Equivalency diploma (GED or HiSET), prepares participants for desired employment opportunities or post-secondary education, and equips those interested in applying for U.S. citizenship with the resources and guidance required to pass the U.S. Citizenship Test.