Our School

The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach, through the Adult Learning Center, has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to adult education. The adult and continuing education program was created during the mid-1960s and was called Adult and Vocational Education. Mr. James Darden was chosen as the first public school director of an Adult Education program in the state of Virginia. Mrs. Bonnie Mizenko, Mr. Paul Palombo, and Dr. Randi Riesbeck followed. Dr. Joey Phillips is the current Director of the Adult Learning Center. 

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on April 4, 1995, celebrating the formal opening of the Adult Learning Center at its former location on Virginia Beach Boulevard. Now located at 5100 Cleveland Street in Virginia Beach, it continues to be a valuable community resource as the largest adult education program in Hampton Roads and one of the largest in the state of Virginia. The center collaborates with multiple government, private and commercial partners through our Interagency Council to support our students. Transition Fairs, community outreach and these partnerships provide invaluable resources to many in the community. 

Our mission is to respond to the needs of the adult population by offering a comprehensive educational program to the community. Adult Basic Education offers instruction to improve participants’ reading, mathematics, or language skills; General Educational Development offers preparation for the GED^® examination; English Language Acquisition offers instruction to foreign-born adults to improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Community Education and Workforce Training offers courses and programs that enhance personal growth and professional development. Industry certification programs are offered with on-line partners and off-site classes are offered throughout the community.

Continuing a tradition of forward-thinking and life-long learning, the center's Media Center provides a modern, student-centered "Learning Commons" where technology, resources, and creativity combine in a "café" atmosphere that encourages collaboration and discussion.

We encourage you to access Virginia Beach City Public Schools' Strategic Plan for Student Success; access our website: alc.vbschools.com or browse our catalog to learn more about the many programs offered at the center each semester.  We invite you to visit the Adult Learning Center, where learning never ends!