When adults consider returning to school, their socioeconomic status may play a role in their decision making. Influential factors include availability, childcare, and their ability to get to school.
Transportation is a key barrier to adult education across the United States. From owning a car, to riding public transit, a learner’s school attendance is dependent on their accessibility to transportation. Luckily, in the District of Columbia, and at Academy of Hope (AoH), both offer a variety of services to ensure learners make it to the classroom.
Adult Learner Transit Subsidy Program
In partnership with the District Department of Transportation (DDT), learners over the age of 18 living in D.C. are able to register for the Adult Learner Transit Subsidy Program with AoH. Those eligible earn $70 a month on their SmarTrip card to ride the MetroRail and MetroBus anywhere in the city. Users must already have a physical or mobile SmarTrip card prior to receiving the stipend.
Adult learners 18-21 get registered for Kids Ride Free (KRF). Aligned with the same program offered to K-12 schools, adult learners under the age of 21 living in D.C. can earn a special KRF SmarTrip card to ride the MetroBus and MetroRail for free.
Each AoH site is just a minute’s walk away from the nearest bus stop, making it easily accessible. Learners who take the MetroRail can click HERE for directions to each school from various MetroRail stations, or take the AoH shuttle to campus.
AoH Shuttle
The AoH shuttle transports learners to and from designated MetroRail stations (Ward 5 at Rhode Island Avenue Station; Ward 8 at Congress Heights Station) for easier commuting. Shuttles are available during the daytime and evening hours, and make recurring trips. Review the schedule below:
- Daytime Pick-Up (Station to AoH): 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
- Daytime Drop-Off (AoH to Station): 12:30 p.m. – 3p.m.
- Evening Pick-Up (Station to AoH): 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Evening Drop-Off (AoH to Station): 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Pick-up and drop-off times may extend if necessary.
Online Courses
Those who would like to complete their classes online can. All high school diploma programs (GED and National External Diploma Program (NEDP)) can be taken online per principal’s approval. Taking courses online may allow for more flexibility or comfortability that a learner needs to succeed, and avoids transportation.
Information Technology CompTIA programs follow a hybrid model, while healthcare workforce programs must be completed in-person.
Learn More
To get help registering for the Adult Learner Transit Subsidy Program, or to ask questions about any of the transportation services offered at AoH, contact your designated Student Support Specialist for assistance:
- Ward 5, Daytime: Shatyra Henry, shatyra@aohdc.org
- Ward 8, Daytime: Porsha James, porsha@aohdc.org
- Ward 5, Evening: Coretta Edwards, coretta@aohdc.org
- Ward 8, Evening: Nathaniel Swinson, nathaniel@aohdc.org
Consistent attendance is key for a learner’s success. Without consistent attendance, a learner’s performance can decline due to knowledge gaps, decreasing the chances of economic mobility. In consequence, AoH understands that our mission is reliant on accessible transportation, influencing our continued advocacy efforts and partnered services for such.