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. Our next ESL placement test registration (for our Winter 2027 quarter) will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 4 at our Greendell Campus, 4120 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Registration is IN-PERSON (no phone calls or emails to register, and no online registration available).

For more information, please contact the ESL office at (650) 494-2326, or send us an email at esl@pausd.org.

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

ESL FALL QUARTER 2026 DATES:
Session #1, 8 Weeks: August 17-October 9
Session #2, 8 Weeks: October 12-December 11

** There is a NO FEE POLICY (no cost for registration or books) for all

state-supported ESL classes. **

Class Schedule

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

ONLINE* MORNING CLASSES
9–11 a.m.
3 times per week: Tue, Wed, & Thu
3 levels: Intermediate-Low; Intermediate-High; Advanced

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.

*Students must download and learn Zoom at https://zoom.com.

Register to Take the ESL (English) Placement Test

Our next ESL placement test registration (for our Winter 2027 quarter) will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 4 at our Greendell Campus, 4120 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
Test registration is IN-PERSON only—no phone calls, no emails, no online registration available.
There is NO ESL Placement Test registration at Palo Alto High School.
After you take the placement test, you can choose your English class: in-person or online, morning, or evening.
For more information, please contact the ESL office at 650 494-2326, or send us an email at esl@pausd.org.

Enrollment Policies

Students must be able to attend the full 8 weeks.
There is no childcare.
Students may repeat a class level one time with teacher and ESL Manager approval.
Students must be 18+ years old to register.
Required: Student must have their own valid email address and contact phone number.

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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