23 Top Rated GED & High School Equivalency Prep Programs in New Orleans
Earning a high school equivalency diploma opens new doors for greater earnings, higher education, and skill-building. For the nearly 17% of New Orleanians over 25 without a secondary school credential, GED and HiSET preparation programs provide accessible pathways to complete studies at any stage of adulthood.
There are excellent options in New Orleans tailored to diverse schedules, styles, and support needs. This expert guide examines the top in-person and online GED preparation programs enabling adults to achieve secondary credential goals. It profiles the strengths of each option, guidance for prospective students, and insights on translating credential gains into lifelong career success.
Why Complete Your Secondary Education?
Let‘s start by examining the many reasons continuing your education to earn a GED can empower your life.
Expand Career and Earnings Potential
Over 5% of jobs in Louisiana formally require a high school diploma or equivalent certification. However, the advantages do not stop there. An analysis by the GED Testing Service found that nationally, GED holders earned over $9,000 more annually across industries compared to peers without secondary school credentials.
Further, losing out on skills developed in grades 9-12 compounds over time. A report by National Skills Coalition found workers in Louisiana without a diploma or GED were more than twice as likely to have low literacy and numeracy skills. Strengthening your academic foundation early allows continually building skills across a career.
Figure 1. Unemployment by Educational Attainment in Louisiana (ages 25-64)
| Education Level | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | 15% |
| High school diploma/GED | 9% |
| Some college/Associate‘s Degree | 7% |
| Bachelor‘s degree or higher | 5% |
Data from NSC Skills Mismatch and Unemployment analysis using ACS PUMS
Bridge to College and Certifications
A GED also serves as a stepping stone enabling access to additional postsecondary credentials carrying greater economic benefits. Experts forecast 93% of quality jobs in Louisiana will require some college education by 2025 according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
Most two and four-year colleges accept the GED as equivalent to a standard high school diploma. Several colleges around Louisiana even provide scholarships towards associate‘s or bachelor‘s programs for GED graduates meeting testing benchmarks.
Many workforce training and certification programs in healthcare, tech, and the trades also list a GED or high school diploma among eligibility requirements. No time is wasted starting progress towards the next step.
Personal Growth and Confidence
Finally, the journey towards your high school equivalency delivers immense personal rewards. Completing your secondary education constitutes a momentous milestone warranting celebration. Barriers lift towards career goals or higher salaries. Mentors, peers, and family share in commemorating the achievement.
5 Top Rated GED & HiSET Preparation Programs in New Orleans
New Orleans offers diverse GED and HiSET preparation formats fitting range of schedules, styles, and support needs. The following are five highly regarded area programs recognized for exceptional matriculation and completion outcomes.
1. Operation Spark
While less traditional, Operation Spark has become highly regarded for its hands-on technology and coding bootcamps that simultaneously prepare young adults to pass equivalency exams like the HiSET.
The organization stands out by providing free tuition for all programs covered by grants and private donors. The focus serves young adults aged 16-24 outside the traditional school system from low-income backgrounds. Instruction happens in small classes at their downtown campus equipped with cutting edge resources. Students finish with critical thinking skills and industry certifications empowering entry into technology careers.
Key Details
- Rating: 5.0
- Location: Downtown New Orleans
- Format: Full-time immersion
- Cost: Free
- Enrollment: Year-round
Participant Teshaun C. had departed high school at 11th grade before discovering Operation Spark. He reflected, "Operation Spark gave me another shot after I lost motivation. In one year I passed my HiSET, CompTIA A+ certification, and landed a good paying tech job." The program reports an 88% program completion rate and strong job placement outcomes.
Visit https://operationspark.org/applying-to-operationspark/ for details on getting involved with this unique tuition-free technology career launchpad.
2. Orleans Public Library – Adult Learning Center
The city‘s public library system has run community adult education initiatives for over 30 years including the Learning Center solely focused on GED and HiSET preparation. As a public program, tuition is free with all materials included for enrolled students.
Classes take place twice weekly on weekday evenings at the main branch conveniently accessible by public transit. Offerings blend guided lessons, digital learning tools, tutoring support, practice tests, and progress tracking. The flexible participation options help students balance study with existing work and family commitments.
Key Details
- Rating: 4.1
- Location: Main branch, downtown
- Format: Evening in-person
- Cost: Free
- Enrollment: Rolling
One former Learning Center student noted, "I struggled trying to study for the HiSET alone. Having expert teachers and a supportive group environment made passing possible." In 2022, 72% of enrolled learners met their high school certification goals.
Visit https://www.nolalibrary.org/learn for full details on getting started with this longstanding community pillar for continuing education.
3. Orleans Parish School Board – Eastbank Collegiate High School
The Orleans Parish School Board directly administers free classes towards Louisiana‘s HiSET high school equivalency exam across two dedicated campuses, including Eastbank Collegiate located in New Orleans East. Morning and early afternoon class scheduling aims to serve working learners.
Eastbank goes beyond academics to offer wraparound supports like transportation assistance, counseling, technology access, and post-graduation planning for students facing significant barriers.
Key Details
- Rating: 4.8
- Location: New Orleans East
- Format: In-person daytime
- Cost: Free
- Enrollment: Rolling
The close knit environment and career navigation resources have helped Eastbank Collegiate achieve an 82% graduation rate in recent years. Sarah K., a 2022 graduate who previously struggled in traditional high schools, reflected, "My life has completely changed. I have confidence to apply to college and have a clearer path to good jobs."
For registration details and information on OPSB‘s Westbank campus visit https://collegiateacademies.org/our-approach/adult-education/.
4. Delgado Community College – Adult Education Center
Delgado Community College‘s Adult Education Center offers structured teaching and preparation for Louisiana‘s HiSET equivalency exam across two dedicated campuses in New Orleans. The program delivers a blend of teacher-led, collaborative, and online learning mediums to propel exam readiness and student persistence.
Free tuition is available to qualified learners along with access to tutors and career counseling resources. Daytime scheduling aims to serve unemployed or part-time working youth and adults. Students that hit testing benchmarks also become eligible for college enrollment, scholarships, and workforce funding assistance.
Key Details
- Rating: 4.0
- Locations: 2 around New Orleans
- Format: Blended teacher-led
- Cost: Free for eligible learners
- Enrollment: Rolling
In Program Director Tameka Wilson‘s view, "Delgado Adult Education provides the support and preparation for passing HiSET while empowering the confidence and direction to take next steps improving livelihoods." Their 2022 graduation rate reached 71% across over 500 enrolled students.
Details on registration and scheduling are available at https://www.dcc.edu/academics/adult-education/.
5. Advantage Career Institute
Advantage Career Institute operates several private learning centers around metro New Orleans specifically focused on GED preparation and workforce partnerships. The Early Advancement Program delivers material in a traditional classroom format during weekdays or Saturdays fitting working learner schedules.
Learners access 1-on-1 tutoring, practice tests, flexible enrollment cycles while also benefiting from career search support like resume writing workshops. Advantage regularly tracks completion rates that reach 65% for persistence learners. Facilities are located in Metaire, New Orleans East, and Baton Rouge.
Key Details
- Rating: 3.9
- Locations: Multiple around metro
- Format: Weekday/weekend in-person
- Cost: Approximately $135 per 4 week term
- Enrollment: Rolling
Visit https://www.advantagecareerinstitute.edu for intake details at their various area campus sites.
State and Local Resources Expand Access
From scholarships to operating funding, several public and community pillars facilitate access for low-income youth and adults towards secondary credential completion.
The Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) receives state and federal grants specifically supporting adult education and literacy initiatives. Their College and Career Readiness Project provides over 60 local partnerships resources to fund GED/HiSET registration and equipment costs along with advising and childcare support where needed.
Local groups also step up including the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) operating in New Orleans. YEP makes small grants covering testing fees, transportation, and books through their YEProjectLabs education program. They report a strong testing graduation rate of 80% in 2022.
Investigate these opportunities as financial challenges should not overly burden those working towards certification. The key focuses on expanding awareness of the public-private resources at hand.
Evaluating the Best Program Fit
With diverse class formats, focus areas, available supports and more, finding the learning environment best fit to stay motivated is key to actually meeting your goals.
Here are a few key considerations as you evaluate New Orleans GED and HiSET preparation programs:
Support Level
What academic assistance options are included? Can outside barriers like childcare, transportation, and technology be addressed?
Schedule and Format
Will the platform, location, and class times sync with other responsibilities? Does the structure align with your optimal learning style?
Duration
Are there options for short-term cramming or longer ramps to fully cement materials based on your baseline skills?
Identifying the proper synchronization across these dimensions means your progress becomes consistent towards target exam dates. Don‘t go it all alone if hurdles start to mount!
State of Adult Education in New Orleans
The challenges around engaging and advancing adult learners run deep across Louisiana. Working age adults without a high school diploma or equivalency reach nearly 17% in New Orleans – much higher than most peer metros.
Further data shows an estimated 65,000 working age adults lack basic literacy proficiency skills in metro New Orleans. This hampers accessing living wage jobs, training programs, and risks family financial stability long term without interventions.
Figure 2. Working Age Adults in Metro New Orleans Lacking Secondary and College Certifications
| Education Level | Estimated Number | Percent of Population |
|---|---|---|
| No High School Diploma/Equivalency | 78,000 | 16.8% |
| No College or Associate‘s Degree | 250,000 | 66% |
Analysis by NSC using data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Reconnecting and advancing these youth and adult learners generates economic and societal payoffs.
Building Stronger Pathways Towards Careers and College
Education leaders see strengthening transitions from adult basic education programs directly into local college and training programs as a top priority.
Targeted bridge programs, integrated advising, and deliberate funding incentives further enable state residents earning their GED/HiSET to persist towards family-sustaining careers.
As Jay Brooks, Louisiana state director for postsecondary strategy at Southern Regional Education Board notes:
"Adult education cannot stop at high school equivalency. Intentionally bridging these students into institutions and workforce training smooths pathways to good jobs and cultivation of skills matching Louisiana‘s evolving economy."
Other states lead in these integrated approaches, including Tennessee promoting state-wide co-enrollment policies allowing adults to jointly enroll in adult ed and college courses simultaneously. The incentive allows counting progress towards associates and technical degrees as added motivation.
Here experts advise New Orleans to expand such deliberately designed on-ramps to stack credentials of value in the local economy.
Innovations in Competency-Based Advancement
Technology and state education policies also open new possibilities to accelerate competency-based advancement towards equivalency certificates.
Louisiana‘s Career Diploma pathway builds off online course assessments allowing adult learners to target skill gaps. Tailored lesson modules address deficiencies supporting expedited completion.
"Online competency models flip the script from seat time to demonstrating skills mastery. This can unlock new possibilities given life barriers facing adult students," explains Dr. Monique Cola, Director of Adult Learning Initiatives at the state Board of Regents.
With such innovations, obtaining your high school equivalency at your own pace and schedule structuring becomes reality.
Conclusion: Changing Lives in New Orleans
Earning a GED or HiSET opens doors to careers, college, and greaterstability regardless of prior education gaps. New Orleans provides options fitting range of schedules, styles, and support needs to complete equivalency exams.
Seeking out resources dismantles the financial hurdles adulthood can impose towards certification. It then comes down to the drive within each learner.
As Teshaun C. a former Operation Spark graduate put it:
"If you‘re willing to show up with an open mind every day to the program, you walk away with exactly what you need to transform your situation."
All to say, regardless of age or past difficulties the path ahead now exists in New Orleans. Let today mark embracing the first step towards benefiting from stronger careers, education, and personal growth high school equivalency holder status delivers!