Academy of Learning in Retirement

Through volunteerism, the Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR), believing in lifelong learning, recognizes and utilizes its members’ wealth of experience and abilities to achieve educational stimulation in the arts, history, literature, languages, and sciences.

  • How ALIR Works

    ALIR's objective is to foster social interaction among its members and provide opportunities for discussing topics of interest with people who have lived long enough to have the maturity and experience to make it worthwhile.

    New and hit courses are offered each semester. Semesters are typically 12 weeks for the Spring and Fall semesters and 9 weeks for the Summer session.

    Included in each semester:

    • three luncheons
    • art show
    • small groups away from ALIR to pursue mutual interests

    Course Selection

    Each semester a curriculum committee puts together the classes that will be offered for the semester. 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.

    Interested in teaching a course? 

    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.

    You're spouse can join in too!

    If you qualify for ALIR, but your spouse or significant other does not, they can still join in.

    Membership & Registration

    A membership fee of $85 payable to the Academy of Learning in Retirement will allow those eligible to take as many courses as they want during a semester.

  • Summer 2025 Courses

    Important Dates for Summer 2025

    • Monday, May 5 Summer catalog released and online fee payment opens
    • Monday, May 12 Online Registration opens
    • Wed, May 28 Instructors’ meeting | Orientation for new students
    • Monday, June 2 First day of classes (9-weeks, 1st 6 weeks, 3 weeks A)
    • Monday, Jun 23 2nd 6 weeks and 3 weeks B: begins)
    • June 30 - July 4 No on-campus classes; NEISD closed
    • Monday, July 21 3rd- 3 weeks C: Classes begin
    • Friday August 8 End of summer term 

    Zoom classes are indicated in the catalog.

    In-person classes are held at 8750 Tesoro Drive, San Antonio, Texas. There’s ample free parking.

    Interested in leading a course for our Summer 2025 semester? Please fill out the following application and submit to Alir@neisd.net or bring/mail your application to 

    NEISD Community Learning CenterAttention:
    ALIR Curriculum
    8750 Tesoro Drive San Antonio, TX 78217

  • About the Academy of Learning in Retirement

    The Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR) began in 1989 as an extension of the University of Texas at San Antonio, with a founding vision of an all-volunteer learning academy offering a variety of intellectually stimulating classes to an over-50 crowd. Growth and space considerations necessitated a move from ALIR’s initial home at the Institute of Texan Cultures; happily, the North East Independent School District (NEISD) welcomed ALIR to its Community Education Department in the spring of 2006. In 2020, as a 501(c)(3) corporation, ALIR had a student body of more than 650 senior San Antonians when the COVID-19 pandemic challenged it to begin offering courses online. Although now fully back to a curriculum of in-person classes, ALIR continues to offer Zoom-based, online classes to those who are limited in mobility as well as those who prefer online learning.

    Our Mission Statement

    Through volunteerism, the Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR), believing in lifelong learning, recognizes and utilizes its members’ wealth of experience and abilities to achieve educational stimulation in the arts, history, literature, languages, and sciences.

     

FAQs

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  • If my spouse or significant other is younger than 50 but I am older, can he or she join ALIR if I do?

  • Can I bring a guest to a class I'm taking?

  • Is there a limit on the number of courses I can sign up for?

  • Do I pay more if I enroll in more classes?

  • How many semesters are there each year?

  • How long is an ALIR semester?

  • Who picks the classes that are offered by ALIR?

  • Are there any exams or grades?

  • Do I pay more if I enroll in more classes?

  • If I want to attend ALIR but can't afford the tuition do I have any way to attend?

  • If I decide to drop out after the semester has begun do I get a refund?

  • What is the cost of the program?

  • How is ALIR related to NEISD?

  • Who runs ALIR?

  • What if I want to teach a class?

  • Is ALIR strictly an educational activity?