English as a Second Language (ESL) Pathways Program offers the following benefits:

• Available on-campus and various off-site partnership locations
• Support from case managers, mentors and instructors
• Enrollment is ongoing and open throughout the year
• If needed, preparation for the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) exam to obtain a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma
• ESL Pre-Collegiate and ESL RISE courses to help ESL students improve reading and writing skills necessary for successful performance in college level courses
•  Assistance in discovering the next “Pathway” in college

Partnerships include:
Buffalo Public Schools
Kenmore-Tonawanda School District
Catholic Charities

The Pre-Collegiate Program offers developmental courses in math and English skills, as well as ESL concepts to prepare students for college-level courses by offering the following workshops:

• Pre-Collegiate Reading\Writing (60 instructional hours): This course is the first non-credit level for adult learners seeking developmental English skills in reading and writing.  This course provides adult learners with general study concepts and patterns to promote future educational experiences.
• Pre-Collegiate Developmental Mathematics (60 instructional hours): Developmental Math is designed to assist adults and GED graduates with developmental math to give them the skills necessary to enter a college level class. This course provides adult learners with general study concepts and patterns to promote future educational experiences.
• Pre-Collegiate ESL (360 instructional hours): This course is non-credit level for adult learners designed to improve ESL students’ reading and writing skills necessary for successful performance in college level courses. The goal of the ESL Reading and Writing Skills Workshop is to develop skills necessary for credited coursework, increase students’ ability to succeed in their major and in their chosen career field.  Students must be available between 8:30 am – 3:30 pm during the Fall/Spring for 15 weeks and during the Summer for 12 weeks.

Features are:

• Three session startups; late winter (January–February), fall (mid-September) and summer (June)
• Math skills class covers introductory-level through college-level concepts
• English skills class covers introductory-level through college-level reading and writing
• ESL skills class covers English comprehension, appropriate vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, basic computer and essay writing.
• Students may register for one or both of the reading/writing and math classes
• Smaller classes that allow students to receive more personal attention
• Best suited for the student who has not been in a formal educational setting in a few years
• Recognizes that academic preparation supports college-ready coursework

In addition to availability at all three campuses, off-site locations include:
City Mission

Apply to the Pre-Collegiate Program

View the Pre-Collegiate Summer 2020 Schedule

The tuition free R.I.S.E. program (Readying Incoming Students for Excellence) is for the student who recently took the ACCUPLACER placement test and feels a refresher workshop would positively affect a retest score. Most workshops run four days with the  Accuplacer retest conveniently scheduled the same week. Students may register for one or more workshop based on a case manager's recommendation.

Workshops are:

• Reading and writing skills (15 hours)
• ESL skills review paced workshop (20 hours)
• Numeric skills review paced workshop (15 hours)
• Algebra skills review paced workshop (15 hours)

View the RISE Summer 2020 Course Schedule