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.
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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.
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Fall 2025 Courses
Important Dates for Fall 2025
- Monday, August 11 – Fall catalog released
- Monday, August 18 – Fall registration begins
- Wednesday, September 3 – Instructor/New ALIRian meeting
- Monday, September 8 – Fall classes begin
- Tuesday, October 7 – 1st luncheon
- Wednesday, October 8 – Spring instructor apps go out
- Tuesday, November 4 – 2nd luncheon
- Friday, November 7 – Spring instructor apps due
- Monday – Friday, November 24 -28- Thanksgiving break
- Tuesday, December 2 – 3rd luncheon
- Wednesday, December 3 – Art Show/Performance set up
- Thursday, December 4 – Art Show/Performance
- Friday, December 5 – Fall classes end
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 Fall 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
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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?
Yes, they can join.
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Can I bring a guest to a class I'm taking?
Yes, but this should not be used to allow someone to take a course without becoming a member. Attendance at one or two classes is fine.
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Is there a limit on the number of courses I can sign up for?
No, you can sign up for a class in every period of every day we are in session. This would come to 6 or 12 classes, depending on the session. However, because class sizes are limited and we have a lot of members, we ask that you don't sign up for a class that you don't really intend to attend. We want to have the maximum availability for people who really want to be in each class.
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Do I pay more if I enroll in more classes?
No. The fee for being in ALIR is fixed and not related to the number of classes you take.
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How many semesters are there each year?
Two full sessions plus an abbreviated three to nine-week summer session.
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How long is an ALIR semester?
Typically 12 weeks for the Spring and Fall semesters and 9 weeks for the Summer session.
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Who picks the classes that are offered by ALIR?
There is a curriculum committee that makes the final decisions. 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.
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Are there any exams or grades?
No. The objective of the program is to enjoy discussing topics of interest with people who have lived long enough to have the maturity and experience to make it worthwhile.
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Do I pay more if I enroll in more classes?
No. The fee for being in ALIR is fixed and not related to the number of classes you take.
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If I want to attend ALIR but can't afford the tuition do I have any way to attend?
There is a fund maintained that can cover this situation. The decision would be made by the governing council.
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If I decide to drop out after the semester has begun do I get a refund?
Usually not. If dropping out is based on circumstances beyond your control an exception may be made at the discretion of the governing council.
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What is the cost of the program?
At present, it is a total of $85.00 per Spring or Fall semester. Of this, $75.00 goes to NEISD and $10.00 directly to ALIR. There is a $45 NEISD fee for the Summer session.
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How is ALIR related to NEISD?
ALIR is an autonomous organization that operates on the property of and under the physical aegis of NEISD. We are part of their community education program but the responsibility for the day to day operation of our program resides with the governing council.
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Who runs ALIR?
ALIR is run by a governing council of 11 members elected by the whole membership. Anyone who has been a member for at least a year is eligible to run.
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What if I want to teach a class?
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.
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Is ALIR strictly an educational activity?
No. One of the main objectives of ALIR is to foster social interaction among its members. We have three luncheons each semester and an art show that allow for socializing, and we encourage members to get together in small groups away from ALIR to pursue mutual interests.
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CONTACT US
North East Community Learning Center
8750 Tesoro Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78217
