Exploring NEISD Community Education Courses: Lifelong Learning Opportunities

North East Independent School District (NEISD) is deeply rooted in a strong tradition of partnership with families, businesses, and neighbors across San Antonio. NEISD believes that education is a shared responsibility, and when schools and communities work together, students thrive. Since the establishment of the Community Education Department in 1984, Northside Independent School District has fostered the concept of lifelong learning for all members of our society. Each Fall, Spring, and Summer, NEISD features hundreds of exciting classes for both adults and children.

A Wide Range of Courses

NEISD Community Education offers a diverse array of courses, catering to a wide range of interests and age groups. These courses are designed to provide opportunities for personal enrichment, skill development, and community engagement. Classes are taught on Northside ISD school campuses and at various sites in the community. They are conducted for the benefit and enjoyment of our patrons and are offered for non-credit unless otherwise designated. The courses are categorized into four major areas:

Profit & IT: This category includes courses related to computers and technology, business solutions, money management, and certificate programs.
The Arts: This area features classes in dance, music, languages, fine arts, and other creative pursuits.
Mind & Body: This category focuses on personal growth, professional continuing education, study skills, and body-mind-health-related information.
Fun & Play: This area offers classes in home and garden, sewing and needlecraft, culinary arts, pets, crafts, and sports and fitness.

Ours is a tuition-based, self-supporting program. More than 10,000 students enroll in 500+ classes offered each semester.

Youth Programs

NEISD Community Education provides a variety of engaging programs for young learners. Please be advised that students may only be enrolled in after-school courses that are offered at their current campus.

Sports and Activities

Cheerleading and Dance: Tx Youth Sports offers a class designed to teach the essential skills needed to become a top-tier cheerleader or dancer. Participants will learn to jump, tumble, chant, improve flexibility, and stunt like a pro. The class includes thrilling arm motions, mastering tumbling and chants. Participants will also learn how to perform stunts with Pom Poms, hula-hoops, batons, and ribbons. They'll learn the proper way to do a bridge, walkover, backbend, handstand, cartwheel, and many more moves. Participants will practice a routine to music with friends, learning how bases, spotters, and flyers work together to build pyramids.
Built on the Court Basketball-Based SEL & Behavior Support Program: Built on the Court is a school-based afterschool program that uses structured basketball, mentorship, and leadership development to support students who need additional help with focus, accountability, self-control, and positive behavior. Through intentional coaching, clear expectations, and consistent routines, students learn how to manage emotions, respond to correction, work as a team, and apply those skills both on the court and in the classroom. Basketball serves as the engagement tool, while social-emotional learning and character development are the outcomes. The program is designed for elementary and middle school students and is especially effective for students who benefit from movement-based learning and structured support. Built on the Court emphasizes high expectations, respect, and growth-helping students build skills that last far beyond the game.
- Program Coaches: Coach Kyle brings professional and semi-professional playing experience, including time competing overseas, and uses the discipline, structure, and accountability demanded at that level to mentor and develop student-athletes. Coach Ke’Aunna has played at the professional and overseas level, bringing a global perspective on teamwork, resilience, and mental toughness while intentionally supporting students’ confidence and emotional regulation through the game.

Educational Enrichment

Mad Science: Young scientists will encounter outer space in a fun, hands-on environment that incorporates the Texas educational standards. NASA: Academy of Future Space Explorers will include the following topics: Planets & Moons, Atmosphere & Beyond, Sun & Stars, Space Travel, Space Technology, Living in Space and more. Young Scientists will experiment with gravity, witness a rocket launch, train to be an astronaut and more! Exploration will continue at home with a take home project each class.

Adult Classes

In order to take an Adult Class students must be at least 16 years of age. Students under 16 will be permitted to register only with prior consent of the Instructor and Coordinator and may require an adult to register with the student. You do not have to be a resident of Northside School District to take our classes. Children may not accompany adults to class; child care is not provided.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

NEISD Adult Education offers FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for students 19 years and older, as well as high school equivalency (HSE) (aka GED) preparation classes in English and in Spanish for students 16 years and older. We also partner with NEISD Community Education to offer Career Training classes that lead to workforce certifications. By joining our program, you are making a commitment, a promise, to attend class on a regular basis and take required assessments.

Additional Information

Registration

For most classes, it's never too late to register as long as there is room in a class. Registration for some specialty classes may close two business days before class time to allow instructors to purchase enough supplies for class. If space is available, registrations are taken until the first day of the class. You will need your Visa or Mastercard information for payment. If the class that you are registering for is full, you will be placed on a "Waiting List." If an opening occurs or an additional class is opened, you will be notified and given an opportunity to register for the class.

Transfers/Credits/Refunds

If Community Education cancels a class you will receive a full refund, or you may request a credit which will be applied toward the cost of any future course. The credit voucher is valid for up to ONE calendar year from the date issued. Once a class has begun, tuition will not be refunded. If you must cancel a class, or transfer to another, you must call two (2) working days before the class begins. All class cancelations or changes initiated by the student are subject to a processing fee of $6 per course.

Refunds will be given if requested at least two working days before the day of the first class meeting. After that time, no refunds can be given. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED IF YOU FAIL TO ATTEND CLASS. Refunds for payments made by credit card will be processed to same card used and will take 24 to 48 hours for processing. Refunds for cash and check payments will be made by check and will take 4 to 6 weeks for processing.

Withdrawals/Refunds: “If you are unable to attend the course session, we are happy to refund tuition, less a 5% processing fee, when you cancel your course session a week before the course starts. The deadline to request a refund is 5:00 pm on the Tuesday prior to the course week. “ -Community Education Handbook. To request a refund, please fill out the withdrawal form below.

Discounts

NISD employees are eligible for a 15% discount on adult class registrations. Discounts are provided by registering in person or over the phone. You will be asked to provide your e-number and campus. Please note: only one discount may be applied per person. Discounts may only be applied to classes registered through Northside Community Education.

Gold card holders are entitled to a 15% discount on adult class registrations. The Northside Gold card is available for the following:

Senior citizens with the over-65 homestead tax exemption who live in NISD
NISD residents with disability exemptions
Senior citizens (over-65) living in rental property in NISD
Retired District employees

In order for the Northside Gold Card to be valid, the cardholder must print his/her name on the back of the card.

Youth Waiver & Parent Handbook

All youth camps and classes require completion of a Youth Waiver/Information Form to participate in programs. The form must be signed and submitted to registration office prior to class attendance. You may obtain a copy of the Youth Waiver/Information Form by visiting our office or downloading below.

Teaching Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in teaching for the NISD Community Education Department. Our mission is to foster and promote lifelong learning for all community members. We are constantly working to develop new and relevant courses to offer. Course proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis. If you have an idea for a class, please submit detailed proposal information for review. You will be notified that your proposal has been successfully received and will be placed on file with NISD Community Education. If your course is accepted, a Program Coordinator will contact you to organize the details of the course and gather any additional information.

ALIR (Academy of Lifelong Learning and Retirement)

How is ALIR related to NEISD? ALIR is an autonomous organization that operates on the property of and under the physical aegis of NEISD. We are part of their community education program but the responsibility for the day to day operation of our program resides with the governing council.
Who runs ALIR? ALIR is run by a governing council of 11 members elected by the whole membership. Anyone who has been a member for at least a year is eligible to run.
What if I want to teach a class? The curriculum committee is always looking for new teachers. If you are willing to teach a class you can contact any council member and he or she will see that your name reaches the right person.
Is ALIR strictly an educational activity? No. One of the main objectives of ALIR is to foster social interaction among its members.
How long is an ALIR semester? Typically 12 weeks for the Spring and Fall semesters and 9 weeks for the Summer session.
Who picks the classes that are offered by ALIR? There is a curriculum committee that makes the final decisions. During the school year all members are invited to suggest classes that are not presently being given but they feel would be of interest to the membership.
Are there any exams or grades? No. The objective of the program is to enjoy discussing topics of interest with people who have lived long enough to have the maturity and experience to make it worthwhile.
Do I pay more if I enroll in more classes? No. The fee for being in ALIR is fixed and not related to the number of classes you take.
If I want to attend ALIR but can't afford the tuition do I have any way to attend? There is a fund maintained that can cover this situation. The decision would be made by the governing council.
If I decide to drop out after the semester has begun do I get a refund? Usually not. If dropping out is based on circumstances beyond your control an exception may be made at the discretion of the governing council.
What is the cost of the program? At present, it is a total of $85.00 per Spring or Fall semester. Of this, $75.00 goes to NEISD and $10.00 directly to ALIR. There is a $45 NEISD fee for the Summer session.

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