Education

Youth Education

Alianza Escolar

Alianza Escolar (Scholastic Alliance) is a tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk teenagers that takes place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm in the Hispanic of Committee of Virginia's offices.  Hispanic middle and high school students are matched with dedicated adult volunteer mentors who meet with their assigned youth once a week to tutor them, review their schoolwork or share other activities that promote verbal, math, communication and critical thinking skills. Mentors help the students stay focused in an overall effort to reduce dropout rates and help students prepare for and gain access to college.  In addition, youth and mentors are invited to participate in community service activities.

Arroz con Leche

Arroz con Leche (Rice with Milk, a traditional Hispanic dessert) is an after school reading program for third graders that targets the educational and developmental needs of young children to help them develop reading and language skills. The program targets children of non-English speaking immigrant families, who are referred by their teachers as at-risk of or falling behind in the areas of reading and writing, since they do not have anyone at home able to read with them in English.  The program meets weekly as an after-school enrichment activity in select elementary schools, and each month features stories related to a different Hispanic cultural theme. The children participate in hands-on learning activities (such as traditional songs, drama, games, and activities) that are based on that theme, which teach the children about their own rich cultural heritage while improving  their reading and writing skills in English.  Parents are invited to attend the sessions to help facilitate the activities and are encouraged to read with their children at home.

Summer Camp

Alianza Summer Camp provides an actively nurturing and supportive learning environment to 25 economically disadvantaged Hispanic youth between the ages of 9 and 12 when school is not in session.  This day-camp, offered free of charge during the month of July, provides a supportive and enriching environment where campers can build self-confidence, self-esteem and social skills while learning about their environment, culture, and community, and improve their reading and writing skills.  During the four-week summer camp, campers are engaged in hands-on educational activities and field trips aimed at broadening their cultural and social perspectives while sparking their interest in different science themes (such as the environment and recycling) and exciting them about possibilities for their futures.

For more details about Education Department, please contact
Education Coordinator at
educationcoord@hcva.org or 703-671-5666 ext. 20.

Adult Education

ESL Classes

The Hispanic Committee of Virginia offers evening and weekend English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at its Bailey’s Crossroads headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.  Classes focus on skills needed in everyday life and at the workplace—such as reading a bus schedule, writing a check, or filling out an official form.  Additionally, ESL students learn how to navigate and access Northern Virginia’s complex network of public and private services and resources; for example, gain access to “better jobs” and/or enroll their children in special programs to help them make it through the school system.  Classed are offered at three levels—Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced)—and students are tested at the beginning of each cycle to determine appropriate placement.

ESL classes are held in 15-week cycles (4 hours/week) three times per year. Enrollment is $60 (includes book and all course materials).

Citizenship/Civic Education Classes

The Hispanic Committee of Virginia offers Citizenship/Civic Education classes at its Bailey’s Crossroads headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. Classes provide a comprehensive, up-to-date curriculum that includes detailed steps to becoming a naturalized citizen, topics necessary to pass the U.S. Citizenship Exam, current events, rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, and integrate students’ own experiences into discussions and themes. 

Citizenship/Civic Education classes are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on a rolling admissions basis throughout the year, except holidays.  Students attend the classes for as long as they need to prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test.  Enrollment is $65 (includes book and all course materials).

Hispanic Committee of Virginia Adult Education Class Schedule

Class Level	Days	Times
Beginning and Intermediate ESL	Monday/Wednesday	7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Beginning and Intermediate ESL	Tuesday/Thursday	7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Beginning and Intermediate ESL	Saturday	9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Advanced ESL	Monday/Wednesday	7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Advanced ESL	Saturday	9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Citizenship/Civics Education	Monday/Wednesday	6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

For more information or to enroll, call 703.671.5666 or visit the Hispanic Committee of Virginia’s main office at 5827 Columbia Pike, Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22041.