Our Community Impact

Program Year 2025–2026 Outcomes at a Glance

Detailed Outcome Metrics

GED Preparation Program

During the 2025–2026 program year, 487 adult learners enrolled in our GED Preparation Intensive. Of those, 452 completed the program (92.8% completion rate), and 412 passed all four GED subject area examinations (91.2% pass rate among completers). The average time from program entry to GED credential attainment was 6.3 months. Among GED graduates surveyed six months after credentialing, 68% reported enrolling in postsecondary education (community college or vocational training), and 74% reported obtaining new employment or receiving a promotion at their current workplace. The median wage increase reported by GED graduates who gained new employment was $4.20 per hour, representing an estimated annual household income gain of approximately $8,736 for full-time workers.

English Language Acquisition (ESL)

Our ESL program served 1,284 learners across six proficiency levels during the program year. Learner retention (defined as completing at least 60% of enrolled instructional hours) stood at 84%. Of learners who completed a full level, 91% demonstrated measurable Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gains on standardized CASAS assessments. Notably, 342 ESL learners advanced two or more proficiency levels within a single program year, and 89 intermediate and advanced ESL learners successfully transitioned into our GED preparation or Workforce Digital Skills programs. Post-program surveys indicated that 82% of ESL learners reported increased confidence in workplace communication, 77% reported improved ability to assist their children with schoolwork, and 69% reported greater comfort navigating healthcare and government services independently.

Adult Basic Literacy & Numeracy

The Adult Basic Literacy program enrolled 623 learners, the majority of whom entered reading below a fourth-grade equivalency. After an average of 28 weeks of instruction, 87% of participants demonstrated at least one full grade-level increase in reading proficiency as measured by TABE post-testing, and 72% gained two or more grade levels. In numeracy, 81% of learners showed at least one grade-level gain in mathematical reasoning. Qualitative outcomes were equally significant: in exit interviews, learners most frequently cited being able to read to their children, understanding medication labels, and independently filling out employment applications as the achievements that mattered most to them.

Workforce Digital Skills Certificate

The Workforce Digital Skills Certificate program enrolled 384 learners during the program year. The completion rate was 91%, and 349 learners earned the Thrive Digital Competency Certificate. Among certificate holders surveyed three months after completion, 76% reported gaining new employment, receiving a promotion, or experiencing improved job performance as a direct result of their newly acquired digital skills. The most commonly cited skills applied in the workplace were email communication (94%), word processing (87%), internet research (83%), and spreadsheet management (71%). Our employer partner network reported high satisfaction with certificate holders, with 89% of hiring managers indicating they would preferentially interview candidates holding the Thrive Digital Competency Certificate.

Lifelong Learning Workshops

Our Lifelong Learning elective series hosted 469 participants across 32 distinct workshop offerings during the program year. The most popular workshops were Personal Finance and Budgeting Fundamentals (58 enrollees), Health Literacy and Nutrition Basics (52 enrollees), Creative Writing for Beginners (47 enrollees), and Introduction to Conversational Spanish (44 enrollees). Importantly, 34% of Lifelong Learning participants subsequently enrolled in one of our core credentialing programs, validating the series' role as an accessible on-ramp to more structured educational engagement.

Regional Economic Impact

Adult education generates substantial economic returns for individuals, families, and the broader community. Based on economic modeling conducted in partnership with the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University, Thrive Learning Community's programs contributed an estimated $14.8 million in increased lifetime earnings for the 2025–2026 graduating cohort. GED attainment alone is associated with a $9,600 average annual earnings premium over individuals without a high school credential, and adults with basic digital literacy earn approximately $6,200 more annually than those without these skills. By investing approximately $740 per learner in program delivery costs, Thrive generates an estimated return of $18.40 in economic value for every dollar spent, when accounting for increased tax revenue, reduced public assistance utilization, and improved health outcomes associated with higher educational attainment.

Looking Ahead: Goals for 2026–2027

• Expand total learner enrollment capacity to 3,800 through the opening of a fourth dedicated learning center in east Raleigh
• Launch a new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) bridge program in partnership with Wake Technical Community College
• Pilot a mobile classroom initiative to serve adult learners in rural Johnston and Harnett counties
• Achieve a 92% GED pass rate among program completers
• Increase employer partner network from 40 to 55 organizations
• Implement an alumni mentorship program pairing recent graduates with new enrollees