The Contra Costa County Office of Education offers educational programs to incarcerated adults through the Contra Costa Adult School.
The Contra Costa Adult School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The educational program is a partnership between the Contra Costa County Office of Education and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department. More than 4,000 students participate in educational opportunities each year at one of the three jail facilities:
Marsh Creek Detention Facility - Clayton
West County Detention Facility - Richmond
Martinez Detention Facility - Martinez
Students demonstrate success by obtaining a high school diploma, passing the GED, increasing basic skills, completing a 90-day substance abuse education program, completing competency-based certificates in computer applications, completing steps to getting a job, landscaping facility grounds, and building toys for needy children.
The Contra Costa Adult School is a General Education Development (GED) Test Center. The GED exam is offered six times per year at each detention facility. In the 2000-2001 school year, five students received a national GED award for their high test scores.
Upon completion of the High School Diploma Program, students are awarded their diploma from the Contra Costa County Board of Education. A transition specialist is on staff of the Contra Costa Adult School to assist inmate students in their successful transition upon release from custody. Strong partnerships exist between the Contra Costa Adult School and community, adult schools, community colleges and local One-Stop Centers.