In Santa Clarita, the school bell does not stop ringing when teenagers and adults walk off campus. From city-run enrichment classes to nonprofit art studios and career-training programs, local residents can find year-round ways to pick up new skills, rekindle old interests, or even launch an entirely new path — no matter their age or stage of life.
Golden Oak Adult School
Residents looking to expand their skills or explore new interests will find a wide range of opportunities at Golden Oak Adult School. The school’s mission is rooted in community empowerment — helping learners gain the academic, career, and technical skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce while staying engaged in civic life.
The Spring 2026 semester runs from January 20 through May 15, and the catalog offers something for just about everyone — from tech newcomers to lifelong learners aiming to sharpen digital know-how.
For those who find technology intimidating, the Basic Computer Skills class ($50) provides a comfortable introduction to the essentials. Students will learn how to log on and off, use a mouse and keyboard, send emails with attachments, and explore Microsoft Office.
The course also covers basic file management, including how to save and store documents. Once that foundation is set, students can advance to Intermediate Computer Skills ($50), which dives deeper into topics such as organizing files, backing up data to the cloud, and using Google tools.
Smartphone users can also get more out of their devices through two three-week workshops — Android Smartphone Tips and Tricks ($45) and iPhone Tips and Tricks ($45) — each designed to build confidence in navigating features, settings, and useful apps. For those who want to take their creativity a step further, iPhone Photography ($45) offers insight into improving photo composition, making the most of built-in camera functions, and using editing tools to enhance images.
Learners interested in developing practical software or career-related skills can look to Google Suite Basics ($45), a three-week course that teaches how to create and organize documents, spreadsheets, and presentations using Google’s free online tools. Those who want a more advanced challenge might consider the Microsoft Excel Basics course ($150), a ten-week class that covers how to enter and format data, perform calculations, create charts, and use filters — all with access to Microsoft Office 360 included in the enrollment fee.
For those thinking about launching a new career in IT, the Google IT Support Certification program ($150) offers a 13-week, 120-hour online learning pathway designed by industry experts. Students gain hands-on experience with troubleshooting, networking, systems administration, and security. Upon completion with at least 80 percent proficiency, graduates earn the Google IT Support Certification and become eligible to take the CompTIA A+ certification exams at a reduced rate.
Golden Oak Adult School is located at 23201 Dalbey Drive in Santa Clarita. For course details or registration, call (661) 253-0583 or visit www.goldenoakadultschool.com.
ARTree
At the heart of Old Town Newhall, the nonprofit arts organization ARTree has spent more than a decade nurturing creativity across Santa Clarita. Founded in 2010 with a mission to make the arts accessible to all ages, ARTree has become a cornerstone for community engagement through classes, open studios, volunteer projects, and public art installations. The center’s inviting approach blends education with hands-on practice, cultivating both individual expression and shared inspiration.
One highlight of ARTree’s upcoming winter and spring lineup is Fiber Arts – Felting, a workshop-style class led by Chrystal Walker. The course meets Mondays from 2-3:30 p.m., January 26 through May 18, and welcomes participants to experiment with wool and create felted artworks that can be framed or even incorporated into clothing. Students will learn both needle and wet felting techniques in an intimate, flexible setting designed to reflect their interests. The cost is $345.
For those drawn to paint rather than fiber, Acrylic Painting Techniques offers a detailed study of style and method for adult learners. Beginning January 27, the class meets Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon through May 19, providing individualized instruction calibrated to each student’s skill level. Participants will work on landscapes, still life compositions, and portraits of animals and people. Class size is intentionally small to ensure personal guidance, with tuition set at $432.
Creative exploration takes on a therapeutic quality through NEST for Teens & Adults, offered the first Wednesday or Sunday of each month from 1-2 p.m. This free, one-hour program is led by licensed art therapist Emily Skelton, who begins each session with a brief guided meditation before introducing that day’s project. The element of surprise — projects are revealed only at class time — encourages curiosity, openness, and emotional reflection. NEST sessions emphasize art as mindfulness practice, helping participants manage stress, regulate emotions, and experience growth through gentle self-expression. No prior art experience is required, only a willingness to show up and create.
ARTree is located at 22508 6th Street in Newhall. For more information or to register for classes, call (661) 383-9266 or visit theartree.org
Recreation and Community Services
Santa Clarita’s Recreation and Community Services division continues to expand its lineup of educational programs designed to inspire young learners and strengthen essential skills. This winter’s enrichment classes — offered January 17 through March 7 — blend creativity, strategy, and discovery, offering students opportunities to learn by doing in supportive, small-group settings.
Among the seasonal offerings is Chess, a class that turns the centuries-old game into a tool for modern learning. Meeting Saturdays from 10:40 to 11:25 a.m. at Valencia Meadows Park’s Community Room, 25671 Fedala Rd., the class engages children in critical thinking and problem solving while encouraging positive sportsmanship. Participants are asked to bring their own chess boards. The cost is $169, with a $25 materials fee for a chess workbook payable at the first class.
Students interested in technology and logic can enroll in Coding, held Saturdays from 1:50-2:35 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Park Community Room, 27285 Seco Canyon Rd. This foundational course introduces the basics of computer science and programming while fostering computational thinking and creative problem solving. Participants must bring a laptop or Chromebook — no tablets or phones — and the class fee is $179.
Hands-on discovery continues with Fun Science, offered Saturdays from 4:30-5:15 p.m. at Valencia Meadows Park, 25671 Fedala Rd. The program encourages curiosity about the natural world through experiments and conceptual exploration. Students will examine motion, planetary science, chemistry, species diversity, and environmental systems to better understand how science shapes everyday life. The cost is $169, plus a $15 materials fee due at the first session.
To register, visit www.seasons.santaclarita.gov/santaclarita/programs and select “Enrichment Classes,” or call (661) 250-3700 for more information.
