Academic Success Program

Gracie Smith-Shoup shares how the Lifelong Learning Center supported her in successfully earning her HiSET and building the confidence and skills needed to move forward in her education. Through continued training in our medical programs, she was able to complete her certification as a Nursing Assistant and begin a rewarding career in healthcare.

What is the Academic Success Program?

Funded with Federal, State, and local dollars, the Academic Success Program (ASP) helps students improve their reading, writing, and math skills. Students enroll hoping to achieve one of four goals:

  • Complete the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)

  • Succeed in college, training, and apprenticeships

  • Find and keep a job that works for you

  • Explore careers that interest you

Learn at your own pace and in your own style. You can begin anytime.

The Academic Success Program offers the following classes in Missoula, MT, on an ongoing basis:

  • Essentials of Mathematics: Math instruction tailored to your individual needs. Whether you are returning to college, preparing to take the HiSET test, or simply want to help your children with their math homework, we can help.

  • Reading & Writing Essentials: Improve your reading and writing skills for HiSET preparation, college, or workforce re-entry. Instruction may be individualized, small group, and/or computer-assisted. Reading instruction will include work in comprehension and vocabulary. Writing instruction will cover sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling, practical writing, paragraph, and essay writing. Set a schedule that works for you! You can begin anytime.

  • College Prep Algebra: This class begins with a review of important ideas from arithmetic and pre-algebra and then develops the essential ideas of algebra. Topics include rational numbers, integers, linear equations, polynomials, and rational expressions.

  • Writing for Business or College: Refresh your writing skills in this class, which will cover sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, and style. Students will receive instruction in writing and organizing everything from a paragraph to an essay. Prewriting, editing, and rewriting will be emphasized.

  • HiSET Preparation: There are several ways to find out if you are ready to take the HiSET. www.HiSET.org offers free practice tests and resources to help you prepare. Alternatively, you can take a TABE test and enroll in free brush-up classes.

  • College Success Program: This program is designed to help you learn strategies college students use to succeed AND reduce the time and money it costs to complete your program. The program is made available to Missoula College’s current and prospective students for free through a collaboration between Missoula College, Carl D. Perkins Funds, the Educational Opportunity Center, and the Lifelong Learning Center.

How To Get Started

To help determine your readiness for the HiSET, GED, or college-level coursework, Missoula Adult Basic Education offers free Enrollment Sessions for students planning to enroll in classes. During these sessions, students take the CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems) test, which measures basic skills in reading and math. The results help identify your educational needs and guide appropriate class placement. For Enrollment Session dates and details, call 406-549-8765.

MCPS ASP also works with local employers to help screen applicants for employment and/or training by administering the CASAS. The cost of the CASAS assessment is $25.

To learn more about these FREE classes, call 406-549-8765.