English as a Second Language (ESL), English for Advanced Learners / LEARN ENGLISH (ESL)

Learn English (ESL)

The Palo Alto Adult School ESL program offers many classes to help you meet your English learning goals. We offer a range of English classes from Literacy to Advanced levels at no charge. To enter our FREE classes, new students must register for a placement test.

Fall 2025 ESL placement testing registration and classes are now full.

The next placement test registration will be Sat., Dec. 13, 2025 at 9 a.m. at the Cubberley campus.

ESL Winter 2026 session: Jan. 12 – Mar. 13, 2026.

If you have questions, or for more details, please call the ESL office at (650) 494-2326, or send us an email at esl@pausd.org.

Note: There is no childcare for the placement test or the classes.

ESL Fall 2025 Dates (Full)

SESSION #1: 8 weeks – Aug. 18–Oct. 10
SESSION #2: 8 weeks – Oct. 13–Dec. 12

ESL Winter 2026 Dates

Jan. 12 – Mar. 13, 2026

ESL Winter 2026 Placement Test and Registration

Fall 2025 placement testng is now full.
Next ESL placement testing opens at 9 a.m. Sat., Dec. 13, 2025.
ESL Placement Test registration is in-person only.
Location to register for the ESL placement test:
Cubberley Campus, 4000 Middlefield Road, I-Building 2nd floor.
No phone or online registration.
There is NO ESL placement test registration at Palo Alto High School.
When your placement test and registration are completed, you can sign up for one of the classes.

*IN-PERSON* MORNING CLASSES
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Cubberley: Literacy — Advanced Low Levels (Mon–Thu)

*IN-PERSON* AFTERNOON CLASSES
1–2:30 p.m.
Cubberley: Pre-Literacy (Tue & Thu)

*ONLINE* MORNING CLASSES
9–11 a.m.
3 times per week: Tue, Wed, & Thu
3 levels: Intermediate-Low; Intermediate-High; Advanced
*Students need to download and learn Zoom at https://zoom.com.

*IN-PERSON* EVENING CLASSES
6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto High School: Literacy — Advanced Low Levels (Mon & Wed)

*IN-PERSON & ONLINE* ADDITIONAL SKILL-SPECIFIC CLASSES:
See English Enrichment classes.

Register to Take the ESL (English) Placement Test

Students must take the in-person ESL placement test to join a class.
Fall 2025 placement testing registration is full.
Our next placement test registration for Winter 2026 opens at
9 a.m. Sat., Dec. 13, 2025 at the Cubberley Campus.
When you register, you will choose a test date.
Register for testing early – spaces limited.
You must register in-person (no phone or online registration).
There is no childcare for the test.

Enrollment Policies

Students must be able to attend the full 8 weeks.
There is no childcare.

Need Help?

Visit the ESL News site here
Call the ESL office at (650) 494-2326
ESL Email: esl@pausd.org

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