ECS Episcopal Community Services Philadelpha, PA - ECS Urban Bridges Adult Literacy Program

Enrolling at ECS Urban Bridges

ECS Urban Bridges Adult Literacy Program

ECS Urban Bridges can help you meet your educational goals, regardless of your current level of education.

Registration is conducted during the summer for fall admission. Applicants will be placed in classes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants will then be contacted and registered for a placement exam. They will also receive an Adult Intake registration form in the mail. The form is to be completed at home and turned in when the applicant arrives to take the placement exam.
Following the placement exam, the applicant will be mailed a letter with his/her test scores, class schedule, and start date. Those who apply too late to obtain a seat in a class will receive their test scores and will be placed on a waiting list. They will be contacted as soon as a space in a class becomes available.
On a date following the placement exam, applicants will attend a mandatory orientation session, during which they will purchase their textbooks for a minimal fee. The books will be theirs to keep.

For more information, please contact Amanda Ream or call 215-329-6122 ext. 125.

Meet Edgar, ECS Urban Bridges Learner

ECS Urban Bridges Adult Literacy Program

edgarb If there is one notion that Edgar would like to ingrain in the minds of his children, it is the importance of a good education.

Edgar is an adult literacy student at ECS. He attended his Adult Basic Education class every Tuesday and Thursday for six months. As a result of nearly perfect attendance and hard work, Edgar is ready to take the GED. His goals are straightforward: to change his career and to motivate his four children, ages six through 17, to complete their education.

“I want to show my kids how important an education is,” he says. “There are some teachers who don’t want to teach, and that makes it hard for the kids. I know that’s one of the reasons I wasn’t devoted to education. But my kids – if they’re struggling, I want to know about it. I’d get them all the help they need.”

Although he had completed eleventh grade in high school and had planned to enter college, a romantic relationship, among other issues, derailed him from his plans, forcing him to leave high school before graduating. He married and started a family at 17, working hard to support his family without a high school diploma. Edgar has been in his present job for 20 years, working as an office manager.

Edgar’s improvement has been extraordinary. He increased in Reading, Writing, Math, Vocabulary and Spelling by at least three grade levels each.

“Everyone in the class was great,” he says. “The teacher asked me to help tutor some of the other students who were not able to keep up with the lessons. I did help, and so did others, so were all able to stay together. It’s important to move ahead, but you don’t want to leave anyone behind, either.”

Edgar’s goal is to earn his GED and become a Philadelphia police officer protecting his community and better providing for his family. He says that the time that he spent at ECS Urban Bridges has started him on the road to achieving his goals.

“I worked pretty hard this year, and my kids challenge me. They always ask me if I’ve done my homework,” he says. “I want to show them that you can get an education at any age.”