Basic Skills and Support Programs

Office Location

NOCE Cypress Center, Bldg 18, Room 100
9200 Valley View Street, Cypress, California 90630

Contact Information

Phone: (714) 808-4607
Website: noce.edu/basicskills

The NOCE Basic Skills Program helps students strengthen essential reading, writing, math, and study skills for college, career, and everyday success. Students can prepare to earn a high school diploma through the High School Diploma Program, study for the GED or HiSET exams, or build academic skills through College Prep courses. The program is designed to increase confidence, improve academic readiness, and support students in reaching their educational and employment goals.

Departments

Basic Skills Learning Center/Academic TutoringThe Basic Skills Learning Center provides tuition-free academic tutoring to support student success. Open to NOCE students in all programs, the Learning Center offers individualized assistance with coursework while helping students strengthen essential skills in reading, writing, and math. As an open entry/exit lab with flexible hours, students can attend at their convenience and create a schedule that fits their individual needs.
High School Diploma (HSDP)
The NOCE High School Diploma Program provides adults 18 years of age or older with the opportunity to earn a tuition-free high school diploma. Designed with flexibility in mind, the program features an open entry/exit lab, allowing students to enroll throughout the term, set their own schedules, and progress at a pace that fits their goals. Core high school subjects are offered in person, with select courses available online for added convenience. Registration for in-person labs is ongoing throughout each term, making it easy for students to begin their path toward earning a high school diploma.
High School Equivalency, GED/HiSET
The NOCE GED/HiSET Program provides adults 18 years of age or older with tuition-free instruction to prepare for the GED or HiSET exams. Designed to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for success, the program offers comprehensive instruction in the subjects covered on the exams. Textbooks are provided at no cost for in-class use, ensuring students have access to the resources they need as they prepare to achieve their educational goals.
College Prep, English and Math
The NOCE College Preparation Program offers tuition-free English and Math courses designed to help students build the skills needed for success in college-level credit coursework. Open to all students, these courses strengthen foundational mathematical, reading, writing, critical thinking, and language skills in a supportive learning environment that prepares students for academic achievement. Whether getting ready for college or refreshing essential skills, the College Preparation Program provides a strong foundation for reaching educational and career goals.

Centers

Anaheim High School Lab

1830 W. Romneya Drive, Anaheim, CA 92801
First-Floor, Room 139
Phone: (714) 808-4582
Email: AnaheimHighSchoolLab@noce.edu

Cypress High School Lab

9200 Valley View Street, Cypress, CA 90630
TE2-205 (Near Parking Lot #4)
Phone: (714) 808-4500 ext. 88304
Email: CypressHighSchoolLab@noce.edu

Anaheim Basic Skills Learning Center

1830 W. Romneya Drive, Anaheim, CA 92801
First-Floor, Room 140
Phone: (714) 808-4583
Email: AnaheimLearningCenter@noce.edu

Basic Skills Learning Centers

Basic Skills Learning Centers are open-entry labs where adult students, 18 years of age and older, receive assistance in gaining skills to attain personal and educational goals by working with faculty, staff, and tutors in small groups or one-on-one in a variety of subjects such as math, grammar, and reading. Computers are available for online instruction and assessment. Students may also enroll in the Learning Centers to gain employability skills, receive additional instructional support in High School Diploma subjects as referred by the diploma faculty and staff, obtain tutorial support in vocational/career technical education subject areas, and prepare for college-level assessments and coursework. Open-entry, GED/HiSET Preparation academic support is offered for adult students in the NOCE Basic Skills Learning Centers.

Rooted in a personalized approach, the program features individualized learning plans developed in collaboration with instructors, based on each student’s goals, current skill levels, and preferred learning styles. Students benefit from small-group instruction, computer-assisted learning, audio books, and interactive workbooks, all designed to reinforce key concepts in reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking.

What sets this program apart is its focus on both academic skills and learning strategies. Students receive course-specific tutoring and academic coaching, making this program ideal for those seeking targeted support for credit or noncredit classes. Whether the goal is personal enrichment, job advancement, or preparation for college and career training, the Foundational Skills Development Program offers a nurturing space for growth, progress, and achievement.

With open-entry/open-exit enrollment, students can begin at any time and progress at their own pace—making education truly accessible, empowering, and centered on the learner. This program is open to all NOCE students.

For a list of courses, see course descriptions: Adult Basic Education (ABE and ABED).

High School Diploma Program

The North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) High School Diploma Program (HSDP) is a dynamic and supportive educational pathway designed for adult learners who did not complete a traditional K-12 program. Serving the North Orange County community, this program offers a second chance to earn a fully accredited high school diploma to adult students aged 18 years of age and older. The HSDP labs provide flexible learning opportunities, allowing students to complete coursework as their schedules permit, thus supporting our diverse student population. In order to meet this goal, the High School Diploma Program offers individualized instruction and one-on-one support to help students develop skills that will help them succeed in a Career Technical Education (CTE) program, trade schools, and higher education institutions. Select high school subjects are offered online.

The HSDP provides a comprehensive curriculum that builds essential skills in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Through personalized instruction and academic support, students gain the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

More than just a diploma, the program opens doors to a wide range of future opportunities—whether students are seeking to enter the workforce, attend a trade school, enroll in college, or simply accomplish a long-held personal goal. Graduates of the HSDP leave equipped with the academic foundation, critical thinking skills, and motivation to thrive in their next chapter.

For a list of courses, see course descriptions: Individual High School Subjects (IHSS).
For program overview and requirement: visit High School Diploma (HSDP)

GED/HiSET Preparation

The GED/HiSET Preparation Program at North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) offers a transformative educational experience for adult learners seeking to earn their high school equivalency credential and unlock new opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth.

This comprehensive, noncredit preparation program is thoughtfully designed to build student proficiency in the five core subject areas of the GED and HiSET exams: Mathematics, Reading, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts/Writing. Our GED Prep program aims at removing barriers to education and goes beyond traditional instruction by offering wrap-around academic services to support each student’s unique journey. GED/HiSET students gain access to the Basic Skills Learning Center—both in-person and online—where they can receive free tutoring, learning resources, and personalized academic guidance designed to meet their individual goals.

Earning a high school equivalency credential is an alternative option for adults to demonstrate their high school competency skills. The GED/HiSET Preparation Program is offered virtually. Open-entry Basic Skills Learning Centers offer in-person academic support for students who choose to prepare for GED/HiSET exams at their own pace. Lab faculty and staff assist students with preparation in the subject areas of math, science, social studies, reading, and language arts. Practice tests are administered to assess readiness for the ofﬁcial exams. Assistance in ﬁnding and signing up for the ofﬁcial tests is also part of the program. Adults are given the opportunity to prepare and demonstrate their high school level proﬁciency as well as their readiness for higher education or the workplace. CASAS assessment is given to measure progress in the program.

This program provides the tools and support needed to reach your destination. Upon successful completion, students are well-prepared to pass the official GED or HiSET exam and earn a recognized high school equivalency certificate—opening doors to higher education, better job prospects, and a brighter future.

For a list of courses, see course descriptions: Adult Basic Education (ABED)
For program overview and requirement: visit High School Equivalency, GED/HiSET

College Preparation Program

NOCE offers College Preparation courses in accordance with AB 705. This noncredit certificate program is designed to strengthen students' foundational math skills and prepare them for success in credit-bearing math courses. The program offers a structured pathway with three core courses: College Prep Basic Math, College Prep Pre-Algebra, and College Prep Elementary Algebra. These courses cover essential arithmetic, algebraic expressions, polynomials, ratios, fractions, rational and radical expressions, and factoring. All courses in the program reinforce essential learning objectives and are designed to build the confidence and competence needed for students to successfully transition into credit-level math coursework.

For a list of courses, see course descriptions: Adult Basic Education (ABED).
For program overview and requirement: visit College Prep, English and Math