The Austin Learning Academy targets its programming to Title I Schools and traditionally under served areas. All components use evidence based curriculums when available, follow Best Practice Instructional Strategies, and undergo regular standardized assessment as mandated by Texas Education Agency. Broad monthly themes serve as the foundation for all areas of instruction. These themes ensure there is an integration of learning throughout our program.

Citizenship Classes
The Austin Learning Academy is now offering Citizenship Classes Free of Charge. Click here to learn more about our free Citizenship classes.

Early Childhood Education
Infant and Toddler Program
Our trained and experienced teachers provide a warm and caring environment that attends to every child’s basic needs and promotes their individual developmental growth. Teachers plan for and encourage active and exploratory learning. Low teacher/child ratios allow teachers to create strong bonds with their students. All infant and toddlers are screened with the Denver II Test.

Three and Four Year Old Program
Degreed and certified teachers follow the Texas Pre-kindergarten guidelines, use evidence based State of Texas adopted “Let’s Begin with the Letter People” curriculum and program wide themes to plan and teach developmentally appropriate lessons. Classrooms are set up in centers and students are actively engaged in hands on learning. School readiness is a primary objective and goal of our program. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) are administered.

Interactive Literacy Activities (ILA)
Parents and their children participate daily in developmentally appropriate literacy based lessons planned by our experienced early childhood teachers. Activities and skills are explained and modeled. Teachers support the parents in implementing the literacy activities in class and encourage them to follow through at home.

Summer Enrichment Camp for School Aged Children
During our summer session we offer enrichment classes for children aged 4-12. Using program wide themes, teachers’ design and plan educational activities with the children. Project-based learning that incorporates reading, writing, math, science and technology ensures that loss of learning over the summer is minimized.

Home Visits
ALA staff conduct monthly home visits to all families enrolled in our Family Literacy Program. Home visitors model developmentally appropriate reading strategies and techniques. Parents are encouraged to read to their children and act on what they have learned. All children receive a new book for their home library.

Even Start Teen Program
The Even Start Teen program provides educational and social service support in the form of Early Childhood Developmental Classes and Parenting Instruction for pregnant and parenting students attending Garza High School and Austin Learning Academy’s Family Literacy program. This program’s strength is derived from its many collaborating community partnerships that allow for a comprehensive approach to service delivery.

The general goal for the Even Start Teen Parenting program is to support Austin Independent School District and Austin Learning Academy campuses in achieving success for all students.

Adult Literacy
ABE and GED Programs
Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Educational Development (GED) classes offer academic and workforce curriculum that prepares students for employment, job training programs and higher education. Instruction provides basic math, language, reading, writing, and technology skills necessary to pursue the goals that students have set for themselves. It also includes test-taking skills crucial to passing the GED test. ALA works closely with local area colleges to ease transition into higher education and job training.

Austin Learning Academy ABE/GED instructors have over 20 years Experience in Adult Education and are Texas licensed and certified teachers. They provide a student friendly learning environment that combines whole class instruction, activities, and individual study plans to ensure every students’ success.
Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Tuesday & Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

ESL Program
English as Second Language (ESL) classes for adult learners address themes and issues meaningful to adults living in the United States. The instruction is focused on developing critical thinking, cultural awareness, building language, technology, and life skills.
Day Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Night Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

EL Civics Program
Students new to the U.S. learn about the responsibilities of citizenship and are instructed in civic participation, U.S. history and government, and “basics” of citizenship. These topics are taught through contextualized instruction integrating English literacy and language.
Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Technology
Technology is a vital part of today’s society; therefore, ALA has integrated technology education into the daily curriculum of all ALA programs. Project based learning provides the perfect avenue for this instruction. Students in ALA programs are encouraged to engage in design, problem solving, decision making, and investigative activities that will easily incorporate the need to learn commonly used computer applications.

Distance Learning
In response to the needs of our adult students who would benefit from additional instruction or who cannot attend traditional classes, ALA offers a Texas Education Agency Endorsed Distance Learning program as an option. A comprehensive registration and orientation session ensures students will be successful in completing the program. Instructors closely monitor student progress through scheduled communication sessions.

Parenting
ALA recognizes that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher. Therefore, Parenting is an integrated component of all ALA programs. Using evidence based “Incredible Years” parenting curriculum, supplemented with “Love and Logic” curriculum and the needs of our families, ALA Parent Specialists design lessons for all GED, ABE, ESL and Teen Parent programs. Community experts enhance programming by increasing student knowledge and broadening students’ awareness of available community resources.

Reading Workshops
Teachers conduct monthly reading workshops for students who are parents. These workshops emphasize the importance of reading, and uses developmentally appropriate reading strategies that engage families in fun literacy activities.

Family Literacy Events
ALA is a family oriented agency that encourages family events. These gatherings bring individual families together, along with the entire ALA family for seasonal feasts that promote literacy through student-led presentations, educational games, art activities and story-times.