Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our three core programs (GED Preparation, ESL, and Adult Basic Literacy) are entirely free of charge. They are funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title II, administered in North Carolina by the NC Community College System, supplemented by state adult education appropriations and private foundation grants. There are no hidden fees for enrollment, assessment, instructional materials, or graduation. Our Workforce Digital Skills Certificate program carries a modest $150 fee, but sliding-scale fee waivers and full scholarships are available for any learner who demonstrates financial need. Our Lifelong Learning elective workshops are $45 per session, with fee waivers also available. Our policy is that no qualified adult learner will ever be turned away from any Thrive program due to inability to pay.

Absolutely not. There is no upper age limit for enrollment at Thrive Learning Community. Our learners range in age from 18 to 82, and we serve many adults who have been out of a formal educational setting for decades. Our instructors are specifically trained in andragogy (the science of adult learning), and our curricula are designed to build on the life experience and practical knowledge that adult learners bring to the classroom, rather than treating them as deficient. Many of our most celebrated graduates began their journey in their fifties and sixties. Learning is not a race, and there is no expiration date on the desire to grow.

Yes. Immigration status is never a barrier to enrollment at Thrive Learning Community. Our programs are open to all adults residing in North Carolina, regardless of citizenship or documentation status. We do not ask for a Social Security number or immigration documents during intake, and no information collected during the enrollment process is ever shared with immigration authorities, law enforcement, or any government agency outside of our educational reporting obligations to the NC Community College System. All learner records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Our ESL program serves a large immigrant and refugee population, and many of our staff members are multilingual. You are welcome here.

The GED (General Educational Development) credential is a nationally recognized high school equivalency diploma issued by the GED Testing Service, a program of the American Council on Education. It certifies that the holder has demonstrated academic knowledge and skills equivalent to those of a high school graduate. The GED exam consists of four subject-area tests: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Each test is computer-based and typically takes between 70 and 150 minutes. A passing score on all four tests earns a GED diploma issued by the state of North Carolina. Over 98% of U.S. colleges and employers accept the GED credential identically to a traditional high school diploma. Many of our GED graduates have gone on to earn associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and professional certifications.

Yes. We recognize that lack of affordable childcare is one of the most significant barriers preventing parents from pursuing adult education. Thrive Learning Community provides free on-site childcare for children ages 2 through 10 during all scheduled class sessions at our main Ridgewood Boulevard campus. Our childcare room is supervised by two trained childcare aides and operates during both daytime and evening class hours. Children are provided with age-appropriate activities, healthy snacks, and a safe, supervised environment. This service is funded through a partnership with the Wake County Smart Start initiative and private donations. For learners attending our satellite classroom sites at public libraries, we maintain a referral list of subsidized childcare providers located within walking distance of each site.

All new learners complete a diagnostic intake assessment during their first or second visit. The assessment typically takes about 90 minutes and is administered in a relaxed, supportive environment by a trained assessment proctor. For GED and literacy programs, we use the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education), which measures reading, mathematics, and language skills. For ESL programs, we use the CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems) Life and Work series for reading and listening, plus the BEST Plus oral proficiency assessment. For the Workforce Digital Skills program, we use a custom digital skills rubric developed by our instructional team. These assessments are not tests you can pass or fail. They are diagnostic tools designed to help us understand your current strengths and areas for growth so we can place you in the class that is the best match for your skill level. There is no study or preparation required, and results are confidential.

Yes. Recognizing that most adult learners are working adults or primary caregivers, we offer classes across a variety of schedules. Our GED preparation program offers both evening (6:00–8:30 PM, three nights per week) and Saturday morning (9:00 AM–12:30 PM) cohorts. ESL classes are available in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. Adult Literacy classes run in both morning and evening time slots. The Workforce Digital Skills program meets on Monday and Wednesday evenings. We also offer self-paced online study modules for GED and ESL learners who need additional flexibility, though we strongly recommend combining online study with in-person instruction for the best outcomes. If your work schedule changes, our program coordinators will work with you to adjust your class schedule rather than withdrawing your enrollment.

While Thrive Learning Community is primarily an educational organization and not a staffing agency, we provide meaningful workforce navigation support to program completers. Our staff includes a dedicated Career Pathways Navigator who offers individual career counseling, resume writing workshops, mock interview practice, and job search strategy sessions. We maintain an active employer partner network of over 40 local and regional businesses who preferentially interview Thrive certificate holders and GED graduates. Additionally, we have formal referral partnerships with NCWorks Career Centers, Goodwill Industries of Eastern NC, and Wake Technical Community College's continuing education division. For ESL graduates, we offer specialized workshops on workplace communication, understanding pay stubs and benefits, and navigating employment rights.

For most of our programs, we maintain rolling or quarterly open enrollment, meaning you can begin the intake process at any time and typically start attending classes within one to two weeks. However, certain popular class sections may have limited seats, particularly our Saturday GED cohort and our Beginning ESL morning sessions, which sometimes reach capacity early in the enrollment cycle. When a specific section is full, we place learners on a priority waiting list and contact them as soon as a seat becomes available, which is typically within four to six weeks. In the meantime, we offer bridge activities such as online study modules, conversation circles, and open lab hours so that no learner's momentum is lost. Our Lifelong Learning workshops also have limited seating and fill on a first-come, first-served basis each quarter.

Yes. Thrive Learning Community is committed to serving all adult learners, including those with identified or suspected learning disabilities, cognitive differences, ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, and other conditions that affect learning. Our instructional approach already incorporates many best practices for differentiated instruction: small group sizes, multisensory teaching methods, individualized pacing, and multiple modes of content presentation. For learners who self-identify as having a learning disability, our Learner Services Coordinator can arrange additional accommodations including extended assessment time, preferential seating, audio-assisted materials, large-print worksheets, and one-on-one tutoring sessions. We also maintain referral relationships with the NC Vocational Rehabilitation Division and the Learning Disabilities Association of NC for learners who need formal diagnostic evaluation or additional support services. A formal diagnosis is not required to receive accommodations at Thrive.