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Palo Alto is a good place to keep learning as an adult. Within a few miles there is a public adult school that has been running since 1921, a community college known across the region and a university continuing education program open to anyone with a high school diploma. Libraries, the city and senior centers add many more classes.
This page focuses on three main providers: the Palo Alto Adult School, Foothill College and Stanford Continuing Studies. All rules and fees come from each school's website in October 2026. Check them before you register, since catalogs change every term.
The options at a glance
| Provider | Who can enroll | What it offers | Cost basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Adult School | Anyone 18 or older | ESL, citizenship, general interest, career and parenting classes | ESL and citizenship free; other classes by fee |
| Foothill College | Adults who apply; open public college | Credit courses, certificates and degrees on a quarter system | Per unit enrollment fee plus small fees |
| Stanford Continuing Studies | Adults with a high school diploma or equivalent | Noncredit courses online, on campus and hybrid | Tuition per course plus quarterly registration fee |
Palo Alto Adult School
The Palo Alto Adult School was established by the Palo Alto Unified School District in 1921. It describes its goal as meeting the lifelong learning needs of the community with affordable classes for English learners, parents, job seekers, travelers and hobbyists. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, whose current accreditation runs through June 30, 2030.
Who can enroll and what it costs
- Age: students must be at least 18.
- Residence: there are no restrictions based on where you live or your citizenship. Fees are the same for Palo Alto residents and nonresidents.
- Free classes: state-supported classes, which are ESL and citizenship, are free.
- Other classes: funded entirely by enrollment and lab fees. The school explains that holding classes in district buildings keeps its fees lower.
What it teaches
The class categories on the school's site include arts and crafts, business and finance, birding and nature, career training, citizenship, college and career readiness, computer skills, cooking, creative writing, health and fitness, home and environment, music, photography, woodworking and world languages. There are live online classes on Zoom and self-paced online courses through ed2go. The Preschool Family program offers parent education classes for families with young children. The school publishes a catalog each term on its website.
English as a second language
ESL is the largest part of the school's free offering. New students register and take a placement test. The tester then advises which level fits. The school says students are put on a waiting list if no seats are open. Other ESL options include English for advanced learners, medical English and a Writing Academy that adds a day of writing instruction. The school also recruits volunteer ESL tutors.
Where classes meet
The main office is in Room 33 of the Tower Building at Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Road. Class locations listed by the school:
- Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Road
- Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road
- Greendell School, 4120 Middlefield Road
- JLS Middle School, 480 E. Meadow Drive
- Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Avenue, Los Altos
Parking at Paly is open after the school day ends. To park in a visitor space between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., get a visitor permit from the Adult School office.
Registration and refunds
Enrollments are processed in the order received and payment is due at enrollment. Classes that do not reach their minimum enrollment are cancelled with a full refund. Students can get a refund if they ask at least 72 hours before the first meeting, with a $15 cancellation fee. Deposits and tuition for parent education classes are not refundable. For fall 2026, the office lists hours of Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Paly and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Greendell and Cubberley. Fall holidays with no classes are September 7, November 11 and November 23 to 27, 2026. Call (650) 329-3752 or email [email protected].
Part of a regional network
The Adult School belongs to the North Santa Clara County Student Transition Consortium with Foothill and De Anza colleges and the adult schools of the Mountain View Los Altos and Fremont Union high school districts. The school says it has had a transition advisor since January 2016 to help students move toward college and career training.
Foothill College
Foothill College is a public community college at 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills, founded in 1957. It runs on a quarter system and offers associate degrees, certificates and two bachelor's degrees. Adults who want one course can apply and enroll.
The college's fees page lists an enrollment fee of $31 per unit for California residents. It also lists a $22 health services fee from summer 2026, a $20 campus center fee and two optional student fees that can be waived. Nonresident tuition rose from $249 to $253 per unit from summer 2026. Visitors and students may need a daily digital parking permit on campus. PAUSD's Palo Alto Middle College also meets on the Foothill campus.
Stanford Continuing Studies
Stanford Continuing Studies is the easiest way for an adult to take a class taught on or by Stanford without applying. The only requirement is a high school diploma or the equivalent. Courses run online, on campus and in hybrid formats across the liberal arts, creative writing, wellness and professional development.
Each course lists its own tuition. There is a $35 registration fee once per quarter, waived when a quarter's total is under $100. Published discounts include 20 percent for students over 65. Auditing is not allowed. Winter 2027 registration opens November 30, 2026. Our full Stanford Continuing Studies guide covers formats, refunds and discounts.
Other places to learn
- City classes: the Enjoy! catalog includes adult classes. The Palo Alto Art Center runs adult studio classes.
- Older adults: Avenidas runs classes and programs for older adults. See our resources for older adults.
- Libraries: the city library offers technology help, digital skills programs and a Vintage Media Lab. See our libraries guide.
- Private classes: music, language and art studios listed in our classes and learning directory.
Choosing where to study
- Learning English or preparing for citizenship? Start with the Adult School, where these classes are free.
- Want college credit or a certificate? Foothill is the place, since its courses carry transferable units.
- Want a short course for interest? Compare the Adult School catalog with Stanford Continuing Studies by topic, schedule and total cost.
- Short on time? All three offer online options.
Good to know
- Adult School refunds require 72 hours' notice before the first class.
- Foothill fees are per unit, so check how many units a course carries.
- Stanford's registration fee is charged once per quarter, not per course.
- For kids and teens, see our tutoring and enrichment guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who can take classes at the Palo Alto Adult School?
Anyone 18 or older. The Adult School says there are no enrollment restrictions based on where you live or your citizenship. Class fees are the same for residents and nonresidents of Palo Alto.
Are English classes free in Palo Alto?
Yes. The Palo Alto Adult School says its state-supported classes, which are English as a second language and citizenship, are free. New ESL students register and take a placement test that sets their level.
Where is the Palo Alto Adult School?
The main office is in Room 33 of the Tower Building at Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Road, at El Camino Real. Classes also meet at Cubberley Community Center, Greendell School, JLS Middle School, a church in Los Altos and online.
How much does Foothill College cost for adults?
Foothill's fees page lists an enrollment fee of $31 per unit for California residents, plus a few small fees such as a health services fee and a campus center fee. Nonresident tuition rose to $253 per unit starting in summer 2026.
Can anyone take a Stanford class?
Stanford Continuing Studies is open to adults with a high school diploma or equivalent, with no application. Each course lists its own tuition and there is a $35 registration fee once per quarter. Winter 2027 registration opens November 30, 2026.