Our Learning Programs
Thrive Learning Community offers a comprehensive continuum of adult education services, from foundational literacy instruction through workforce-ready digital certification. Every program is built on evidence-based pedagogical methods, delivered by credentialed instructors, and structured to accommodate the complex schedules of working adults and parents.
GED Preparation Intensive
Our GED Preparation Intensive is a structured, multi-phase program designed to guide adult learners through all four GED subject examinations: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. The program begins with a comprehensive diagnostic assessment using the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) to establish each learner's baseline skill levels and identify targeted areas for improvement. Instructors then develop individualized study plans that progress through foundational skill-building, subject-specific content mastery, test-taking strategies, and timed practice examinations.
Class sessions meet three times per week in small cohorts of eight to twelve learners, maximizing instructor attention and peer collaboration. Evening and Saturday options ensure accessibility for those who work during traditional business hours. Our current GED pass rate stands at 91% for learners who complete the full program cycle, with an average preparation timeline of five to seven months depending on incoming skill levels. All GED preparation materials, practice tests, and diagnostic assessments are provided at no cost. Exam registration fee vouchers are available for qualifying learners through our partnership with the North Carolina GED Testing Service.
Duration: 20–28 weeks (self-paced completion)
Cost: $0 (Federally funded under WIOA Title II)
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL)
Our ESL program serves adults at every proficiency level, from absolute beginners who are learning their first English words to advanced learners preparing for citizenship exams or professional certification tests. The curriculum is organized into six progressive levels aligned with the National Reporting System (NRS) Educational Functioning Levels, ensuring measurable progression and transparent outcomes reporting.
Beginning-level classes focus on survival English: greetings, numbers, telling time, navigating medical appointments, understanding bus routes, and communicating with children's teachers. Intermediate levels introduce reading comprehension, written communication, workplace vocabulary, and civic literacy (understanding leases, utility bills, government forms). Advanced classes prepare learners for the TOEFL, workforce interviews, and college-level English placement. All levels incorporate pronunciation practice, listening comprehension labs, and cultural integration discussions. Morning, evening, and weekend schedules are available across three campus locations and two satellite sites hosted at Wake County public library branches.
Duration: Ongoing enrollment with quarterly level assessments
Cost: $0 (State and federal adult education funding)
Adult Basic Literacy & Numeracy
For adults reading below a sixth-grade level or lacking functional numeracy, our Adult Basic Literacy program provides a supportive, judgment-free learning environment where foundational skills are built through proven, research-backed methods. Instruction covers phonemic awareness, sight word recognition, reading fluency, basic composition, number sense, measurement, and introductory problem-solving. Certified literacy coaches use the Orton-Gillingham approach for reading instruction and the Concrete-Representational-Abstract framework for mathematics, both of which have decades of evidence supporting their effectiveness with adult learners.
Classes are intentionally small, with a maximum student-to-instructor ratio of six to one, ensuring ample individual attention. Each learner works with their instructor to set personally meaningful goals: reading a prescription label independently, calculating grocery budgets, writing a letter to a family member, or understanding a child's report card. Progress is measured through standardized TABE assessments administered at intake, midpoint, and program completion. All instructional materials, workbooks, and assessment tools are provided free of charge.
Duration: 24–36 weeks (individualized progression)
Cost: $0 (Funded by NC Adult Education and Family Literacy Act)
Workforce Digital Skills Certificate
In today's labor market, over 92% of jobs require some level of digital literacy. Our Workforce Digital Skills Certificate is an accelerated, hands-on training program that equips adult learners with the practical technology skills demanded by regional employers. The curriculum covers computer basics (hardware, operating systems, file management), internet navigation and research, email and professional digital communication, word processing (Google Docs and Microsoft Word), spreadsheets (Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel), presentation software, and introductory cloud collaboration tools.
Each module combines instructor-led demonstrations with guided lab practice and real-world scenario exercises. Learners who complete all eight modules and pass a cumulative skills assessment receive the Thrive Digital Competency Certificate, which is recognized by over 40 employer partners in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan area. For learners who lack home computer access, we provide loaner Chromebooks for the duration of the program at no cost through our Digital Equity Initiative, funded by a grant from the North Carolina Department of Information Technology.
Duration: 16 weeks
Cost: $150 (sliding-scale fee waivers available; scholarships for qualifying learners)
Lifelong Learning Elective Workshops
Learning does not stop after a certificate or diploma. Our Lifelong Learning series offers a rotating catalog of enrichment workshops designed for personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and social connection. Past and upcoming topics include: Creative Writing for Beginners, Personal Finance and Budgeting Fundamentals, Health Literacy and Nutrition Basics, Introduction to Conversational Spanish, Community Gardening and Urban Agriculture, Local History of the Triangle Region, Mindfulness and Stress Management, and Introduction to Public Speaking. Workshops run for four to eight sessions and are facilitated by qualified community educators, retired professionals, and university graduate students.
These workshops serve as an important on-ramp for adults who may be hesitant to enroll in a formal program. By offering low-stakes, interest-driven learning experiences, we help individuals rediscover the joy of education and build confidence that often leads to enrollment in our core certificate and credentialing programs. Workshop fees are intentionally kept minimal, and fee waivers are available for any learner who requests one.
Duration: 4–8 sessions per workshop
Cost: $45 per workshop (fee waivers available on request)