Northeast Kingdom Learning Services, Inc (NEKLS) began with one woman, Eva Warner, teaching area residents to read at their kitchen table. It is so much more over 50 years later. Today, we offer alternative education, learning services, adult education, job training, childcare, and services for children and families that reach beyond the classroom. It is our mission to inspire and empower learners from birth and beyond.
NEKLS has many available programs to assist the community members of the Northeast Kingdom and are always looking for ways we can continue to ensure that our neighbors and friends have what they need to thrive. From in-house programming to collaborations with local organizations and referrals, we can help you achieve your goals.
Adult Education and Literacy Programs provide math, reading, and writing skill development, job skills development, computer literacy, and support in students’ transition to work or college. Many of our services are available virtually. NEKLS teaches English as a second or other language (English for Speakers of Other Languages) to students from around the world who have come to settle in our beautiful Northeast Kingdom.
NEKLS Community Learning Centers offer group and individual digital literacy training. In addition to computer instruction classes, community members may access email, search the web, perform job searches, complete online job applications, or apply for unemployment benefits at the five Community Learning Centers in the tri-county region.
The High School Completion Program (HSCP) collaborates with local schools to provide an alternative educational path to a high school diploma for anyone 16 or older. Program participants may have left school or may still be enrolled in their partnering high school.
The General Educational Development Program (GED) leads to a high school diploma equivalency. In 2020 18 students earned their GED through the NEKLS GED Testing Centers. The Tutorial Program provides one-on-one and group instruction to K-12 students at any number of locations including area libraries and town halls. In September of 2019, Ready, Set, Grow Childcare opened its doors to children and NEKCA Head Start opened their Head Start Program. The COVID19 Pandemic has greatly impacted families, childcare, and schools. While both programs had to shut down for a period of time, Head Start was able to provide remote services to their children, and Ready, Set, Grow Childcare was able to reopen to children in June 2020.
NEKLS has a staff of 53 dedicated professionals committed to serving the needs of the Northeast Kingdom.
Contact us if you or someone you know has need of our services. Thank you for your generous support!
