FCPS adult education department expands online courses

Fairfax County Public Schools has expanded its Adult and Community Education (ACE) program, offering more than 500 online courses that students can take at any time.  

ACE courses are designed for people who want to get certified for a job in the trades, advance in their careers, explore a new hobby, or learn skills for life.

ACE’s Online Anytime program offers flexible class schedules with self-paced options designed for busy people who don’t have time for in-person courses.

Students can register online without having to submit an application, essay, or transcript or take a test. Payment programs and scholarship opportunities are available. Seniors can qualify for a 25 percent discount.

Among the topics covered in ACE online courses: coding, accounting, photography, cooking, mindfulness, Spanish, career exploration, writing, electrician training, medical billing, how to operate a home-based business, and much more.

“We launched Online Anytime to make education through FCPS ACE more accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, even post-pandemic, we have seen increased interest and have received positive feedback from students, which has resulted in the expansion of our Online Anytime program,” said ACE Administrator Paul Steiner.

ACE offers more than 3,000 courses, including in-person classes held at various locations throughout the county.