Adult Education

Steptoe Valley High School's Adult Education program, part of the White Pine County School District Adult Diploma Program, offers the Adult High School Diploma and High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation programs at no cost.

Who Is Eligible

Any person aged eighteen or older who is not enrolled at another high school and who has not graduated from high school or earned a high school equivalency certificate is eligible to earn an adult diploma or a high school equivalency certificate through this program.

High School Equivalency (HiSET) Preparation

In the absence of a diploma, the HiSET test measures basic competencies in English language arts (reading and writing), social studies, science, and mathematics. White Pine County School District uses the HiSET exam for the high school equivalency exam.

To take the HiSET in Nevada, a student must:

Be eighteen years of age or older, or meet the conditions for ages sixteen to seventeen listed below;
Not be enrolled, nor required to be enrolled, in high school, and be without a high school diploma or equivalency certificate;
Be a Nevada resident (no minimum residency requirement; proof of residency is required prior to testing);
Complete a practice test to demonstrate readiness prior to actual testing;
Present valid photo identification on test day (valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or another form of government-issued identification showing name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph; expired identification will not be accepted).

Preparation is available through SVHS classes and through HiSET Academy, an online HiSET preparation program with lessons and practice tests. HiSET Academy is accessed through the Essential Education platform, and SVHS provides login information to anyone in the Adult Education program. Free practice tests are also available at www.4tests.com and hiset.org.

HiSET Testing Fees

The first administration of the HiSET test is free. If a student needs to retest, the cost is $53.75 for the full battery or $10.75 for each individual subtest.

Ages Sixteen to Seventeen

Students aged sixteen to seventeen may prepare and test under certain conditions. They must present official written permission of withdrawal from compulsory attendance from the board of trustees of the district (or designee), along with signed parental permission, to the local test center. Contact Steptoe Valley High School to verify that all requirements are met before registering or scheduling.

Registration

Students may register at any time during the school district's academic year. To register or for registration information, contact Steptoe Valley High School at (775) 289-2999 or contact the Adult Education Coordinator.

Adult High School Diploma Credit Requirements

An adult high school diploma requires 20.5 credits:

4.0 English
3.0 Math
2.0 Science
1.0 U.S. History
1.0 U.S. Government
1.0 World History / Geography
0.5 Health
0.5 Computer
7.5 Electives

Adult students can earn needed credits using the district's web-based learning program, either at SVHS, on a home computer with high-speed internet, or at the County Library. All classes are competency-based, with no minimum or maximum time to complete a course. Students are also eligible to earn elective credit through work experience.

Credits may be waived through the HiSET exam when a student achieves a set score in each subject area and an overall passing score. Higher scores waive more credits, and waived credits apply only toward the corresponding subject requirement. A student must still complete American History and American Government regardless of Social Studies exam score. When a student enrolls, SVHS staff meet with them to review high school transcripts, discuss long-term goals, and develop an educational plan specific to the student's needs, including career exploration and electives geared toward career goals.

The program also serves adults who already hold a diploma but want to brush up on English, Math, or other academic skills, and can assist adults considering college enrollment with remedial classes in Math and English prior to college enrollment.

HiSET Testing Location and Scheduling

HiSET testing takes place at Steptoe Valley High School, 700 Aultman Street, Ely, NV 89301. All tests begin at 8:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted by the Adult Education Coordinator or Adult Education Test Administrator. Students must contact Steptoe Valley High School at (775) 289-2999 to schedule a HiSET test. The district uses a computer-based assessment.

Hours and Contact

Steptoe Valley High School
700 Aultman Street, Ely, NV 89301
Phone: (775) 289-2999
Fax: (775) 289-1592

Office hours are 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Adult education hours are held on Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. School is closed Friday through Sunday and follows the White Pine County School District school year schedule, including holidays and summer break.

Curtis Nielson, SVHS Principal
Russell Pantello Jr., Adult Education Coordinator / Teacher
Chad Brown, HiSET Test Administrator
Judith Grover, SVHS Administrative Assistant