Principal: Rhonda Slota

Grades: open to all 18+ and 16-18 year olds that meet the requirements

Enrollment: 6,359

Colors: Green & Gold  

Mascot: Tree of Lifelong Learning

Adult Education has a long history of being responsive to community, state, and national needs. In California, the first adult school was established by the San Francisco Board of Education at St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1856. Adult Education has continued to grow at such a rate that California now serves more than 2 million students in several hundred agencies throughout the state. Napa Valley Adult Education (NVAE) opened in 1976 on Jefferson Street in Napa, and has since relocated twice, once to the west side of town and currently adjacent to Napa High School on Lincoln Avenue. NVAE now offers classes at 33 sites in the Napa Community (including district schools, retirement centers, community centers, Veteran’s Home, etc) and employs 198 personnel.

NVAE’s mission is to provide opportunities for our diverse population to be more productive members of society through academic and vocational achievement and personal enrichment.

Our educational approach is based on the following core values:

1)    All students  at NVAE will learn at a high level;

2)    All members of NVAE will feel respected;

3)    We nurture a passion for learning so each member of the school realizes his/her full potential;

4)    We promote continuous improvement, self-reflection, a climate of safety and trust, and a sense of community and responsibility.

NVAE’s Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs) for all students are:

1)    Students will achieve measureable increases in knowledge and skills in order to reach their potential and enhance their quality of life;

2)    Students will access the resources and information needed to ensure their lifelong growth and well-being;

3)    Students will apply their knowledge and skills in order to engage pro-actively in the community.

Quality instruction, affordability, responsiveness to local needs, and convenient scheduling are the hallmarks of NVAE’s courses. Our programs incorporate 21^st Century Skills into their curricula and approach. NVAE offers classes in the following program areas: Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education (High School Diploma and GED), Adults with Disabilities, Career and Technical Education, English as a Second Language, Older Adults, Parent Education, and Health and Safety. We also offer a Community Interest program which provides courses in arts and crafts, business and finance, foreign languages, and other forms of self-enrichment. In addition NVAE operates the county’s CalSAFE program to assist pregnant and parenting teens in obtaining a High School Diploma. The CalSAFE and ESL programs provide daily on-site childcare for students, as well as bilingual counseling services for all students enrolled in academic courses. The First Step project offers a summer kindergarten transition program for 4 and 5-year olds and their parents at 8 local elementary schools. NVAE’s Workplace Training Institute provides customized courses in ESL, other languages, computer training and leadership skills to various businesses, organizations and agencies in the Napa Valley (including wineries, the County of Napa, Child Start, and the Napa Fire and Sheriff’s Departments).

NVAE has established and continues to develop ongoing partnerships with the community in an effort to respond effectively to its educational and vocational needs. All programs work extensively with key stakeholders to facilitate student progress from the classroom into the community. NVAE’s agency partnerships include Napa Unified School District, Napa County Office of Education, Napa County Workforce Investment Board, Napa Valley College, Napa City-County Library, Boston Reed College, Puertas Abiertas, Untied Shoe Laces, The Meadows, Napa Senior Center, City of Napa, City of American Canyon/Senior Center, American Canyon Family Resource Center, California Veteran’s Home, Napa State Hospital, Queen of the Valley Hospital and more.