Bridge Academy - College and Career Readiness

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Welcome to the Bridge Academy - College and Career Readiness / Adult Basic Education (ABE) Program at TCCC.

Due to COVID-19, Bridge Academy is currently holding face-to-face GED classes only on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:00am until 3:00pm.Our distance learning platform, Google Classroom, is still available for those students who wish to continue their education in an online format. We are currently accepting new students. If you are interested in attending classes please contact us at (828) 835-4322.

The health and safety of our students, employees, and visitors still remains our top priority. We ask that anyone who is attending classes on campus to please wear a mask and if you are suffering from a fever or any other COVID-19 type symptoms or if you have been exposed, please refrain from attending on campus classes.  

For more information please ask to join our private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tcccbridgeacademy/

We are excited that you have chosen us to help you with your goals and your future. This is why we offer a variety of classes, learning labs, and instructional options. All of which are designed to help you improve your academic and employment skills. The Tri-County Community College, College and Career Readiness Program provides educational opportunities for those students in the service area of Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties who did not complete their high school education or have not received their High School Equivalency Diploma or who need to improve their reading, languages or math skills. College and Career Readiness also focuses on providing employability skills, job-specific occupational and technical skills, and developmental education instruction. The College and Career Readiness Program is based on the philosophy that every student, regardless of educational level, is capable of self-improvement, and should have the opportunity to participate in furthering their education and employment goals. Any adult 18 years of age or older who did not graduate from high school is eligible to participate in the program as is any high school graduate who wishes to increase their skills. If you are under the age of 18, please read the information under Minor Student Information.

Please call (828) 835-4208 or (828) 835-4228 for more information.
FaceBook Page : TCCC College and Career Readiness

The Bridge Academy’s Adult High School Program is designed for students who did not complete high school and would like to fulfill the remaining credits at TCCC in order to obtain their high school diploma. The adult high school diploma is issued by Tri-County Community College in conjunction with the local county public schools in Clay and Cherokee counties.

To earn an AHS diploma, a student must:

  • Submit official transcripts from high schools they attended
  • Attend an orientation session
  • Place at or above a 9th grade level on a reading and math test
  • Complete a minimum of 22 core and elective credits
  • Complete a minimum of 2 credits at TCCC

Each student will work individually on the credits needed and will progress at their own pace until all requirements are met.

There is no fee for registration or for instructional materials.

Minor students (ages 16 or 17) MUST submit a release from the public school and parental permission is required for enrollment.

Minor Release Form

For more information please contact our Transition Specialist, Erika Gillis at 828-835-4228.

How to Request Your Adult High School Transcript

If you received an Adult High School Diploma from TCCC and would like to request a transcript for work or college, please submit a request signed by the student. There is no fee for a copy of your transcript.

Transcript Request Form

To Submit a Request in Person:
Deliver a transcript request form to Erika Gillis in office 110 in the Crisp Building. Please give our Transition Specialist 24-48 hours in order to prepare your request. Please be prepared to show identification if you are picking up your request in person. If you would like someone other than yourself to pick up your transcript, please note this on your transcript request form with their full name and a written statement of you giving them permission to do so on your behalf.

To Request by Mail:

Please send a copy of the transcript request form to:
Bridge Academy
Attn: Erika Gillis
21 Campus Circle
Murphy, NC 28906

For more information regarding our Adult High School program, please contact Erika Gillis at 828-835-4228 or our College and Career Readiness Department at 828-835-4322

  • Improving reading, writing, or math skills
  • Improving computer and technology skills
  • Earning a high school equivalency credential
  • Improving employability skills
  • Improving job-specific skills
  • Improve life skills
  • Learn to speak English
  • Prepare for becoming a US Citizen
  • Preparing for college and/or workforce entry

New Student Orientation is offered Monday-Thursday and there is at least one ABE / ABE-Advanced class in each county to ensure students have access to the resources available.   Classes meet during the day, evening, and at a distance and are offered on campus or at different locations in Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties. All orientation and instructional classes are:

  • offered FREE and materials are provided
  • designed to allow for individual differences and learning styles
  • Structured while allowing for individual learning styles and differences - your motivation, ability, time available, work habits, and class commitment is what drives your goal achievement.

Whether you have been out of the public school system or workforce for six months or over thirty years, you have a place in the College and Career Readiness Program.

If you would like more information on any of our programs we encourage you to, contact:

Lee Beal
Director of Adult Basic Education and HRD
lbeal@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4208  

Erika Gillis
College & Career Readiness Instructor & Transition Specialist
egillis@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4228 

You may also stop by either of our campus locations; we will be glad to help you. 

Any adult ages 16 or 17 not currently enrolled in public school may participate by obtaining permission from the school superintendent and the principal of the school district where they live.  You must complete a Minor Permission Form before being allowed to enroll in any class.  Minor Permission Forms can either be picked up in person at the College and Career Readiness Department or call (828) 835-4256 to have the form mailed.  You may also print a form by selecting the following link, Download the GED Minor Applicant Form Instructions for completing the form are included on it, but if you have any questions, please call: 

Lee Beal
Director of Adult Basic Education and HRD
lbeal@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4208  Erika Gillis
College & Career Readiness Instructor & Transition Specialist
egillis@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4228 

Adult Basic Education (ABE) coursework is designed for adults who need to improve their reading, writing, speaking, problem-solving, or mathematic skills necessary to function effectively in society, on a job, or in the family. The program stresses literacy development from beginning reading, writing, and math, to high school equivalency  study, to college and career entry. Adult Basic Education (ABE) coursework also includes components to improve the employability of the state’s workforce through instruction in mathematics, reading, language, and workforce readiness skills. It is designed to provide adults with sufficient basic education to enable them to benefit from job training and retraining programs and obtain and retain productive employment so that they might have a fuller enjoy of the benefits and responsibilities of being citizens. Basic literacy instruction emphasizes a general competency in basic word identification, reading comprehension, and vocabulary skills and basic knowledge in the social studies and science area. ABE provides functional literacy instruction while simultaneously providing instruction in math, English, social studies, and science areas. Our instructional methods and materials are selected and designed to be appropriate for adults and promote meaningful learning experiences. The Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Basic Education – intermediate (ABE-I) and Adult Basic Education-Advanced (ABE-A) programs provide a student with a foundation to enter high school equivalency classes and/or to take the High School Equivalency Diploma Exam (2014 GED® exam). Following completion of New Student Orientation and the Student Study Plan; students are given class attendance options, based on their assessment scores. Classes meet during the day and are offered on campus or at different locations in Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties.  There are also specialized classes that meet at various locations in the service area. ABE also includes Adult Basic Education – Beginning (ABE-B), formerly Compensatory Education (CED).  ABE-B is an academic program designed to compensate adults with intellectual disabilities.  The focus of the ABE-B program is on helping individuals become as independent as possible primarily by improving academic, social, survival, vocational, and independent-living skills.  If you would like more information on the ABE-B program we encourage you to contact Erika Gillis at 835-4228.  In the ABE program you will find:

  • there is no fee for registration
  • there is no fee for instructional materials
  • varied class locations and times
  • class coursework is designed to improve your educational, technological, and employability skills
  • the program is designed to provide adults with basic beginning, intermediate and high level education instruction prior to high school equivalency credential testing, college enrollment and/or employment
  • program components designed to assist with college entry requirements
  • instructors who want to help you succeed
  • computer based programs to assist with learning

You will begin class immediately. You do not need to wait for the beginning of a new semester at TCCC.

Learning Lab Hours:

Main Campus Learning Lab – Crisp Building Room 109

Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 

Graham County Center Learning Lab – Shope Building Room 4

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

 

Community Class Schedule:

Snowbird Library –

Monday and Thursday – 5:30pm – 8:30p.m.

Contact us for more information:

Lee Beal
Director of Adult Basic Education and HRD
lbeal@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4208  

Erika Gillis
College & Career Readiness Instructor & Transition Specialist
egillis@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4228 

Tri-County Community College also offers distance learning to help individuals who need to receive their high school education or English Language Acquisition through online learning.

Lee Beal
Director of Adult Basic Education and HRD
lbeal@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4208  

Erika Gillis
College & Career Readiness Instructor & Transition Specialist
egillis@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4228 

The High School Equivalency Diploma / 2014 GED program is designed to prepare adult students to take the 2014 GED® tests and, with passing scores, the student earns a High School Equivalency Diploma which is awarded by the North Carolina Community College System. This certificate is generally accepted on an equal basis with a traditional diploma for employment, promotion, or further education. Classes meet during the day and evening and are offered on campus or at different locations in Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties. Instruction is offered in the four subject areas in preparation for taking the high school equivalency diploma exam (2014 GED® test). Tri-County Community College is an Official GED Testing site for Computer Based 2014 GED® testing.  The General Educational Development (2014 GED®) tests covers four content areas:

  • Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) (150 minutes) – Section 1 (35 minutes*) – Section 2 (45 minutes) – Student Break (10 minutes) – Section 3 (60 minutes*) *The time allotted for sections 1 and 3 may vary slightly, but the total test time will always be 150 minutes.
  • Mathematical Reasoning (90 minutes) – Part 1- calculators not allowed – Part 2 – calculators allowed
  • Science (90 minutes)
  • Social Studies (75 minutes)

Is available in English and SpanishStudents have 3 opportunities to test per year, per content areaThe test includes seven different item types: Delivered on computer (not online) 

  • Extended response
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Drop-down
  • Fill-in-the-blank
  • Hot spot
  • Multiple choice
  • Short answer

Paper testing is only available as an accommodation  To be eligible for 2014 GED® testing, a student must:

  • be at least 18 years old (16- and 17-year-olds may test with special permission / Minor Applicant Form on file)
  • provide a current government issued picture ID

To pass the 2014 GED® Test one must earn a minimum standard score of 580 on all 4 tests and a minimum standard score of 145 on each content area test. Please attend New and Returning Student Orientation and let us assist you with the process.

Lee Beal
Director of Adult Basic Education and HRD
lbeal@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4208  

Erika Gillis
College & Career Readiness Instructor & Transition Specialist
egillis@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4228 

TBA

 Please Check Back for Dates and Times

NC-DAP Math and Language Preparation classes (Pre-DMA and Pre-DRE) are designed to increase scores for entry into the DMA and DRE sequence and beyond. This 8 day session includes an intensive review of material via lecture and computer based instruction that is related to the test subject matter.  Following the completion of this session students should be better prepared to take their initial placement or re-take their test with a higher score. Students assigned to NC-DAP Basic Math Preparation and Basic Language Preparation classes by their Academic Advisor or the Accuplacer Testing Center Staff do not have to attended the College and Career Readiness / ABE New Student Orientation.

For more information please contact:

Lee Beal
Director of Adult Basic Education and HRD
lbeal@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4208  

Erika Gillis
College & Career Readiness Instructor & Transition Specialist
egillis@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4228 

English Language Acquisition (ELA) Class

for

English Language Learners (ELL)

You must attend class orientation prior to beginning classes. During EACH Class Orientation you will complete a registration form and listen to a brief overview of the orientation process, classes offered and additional services available. You will then take an assessment test to determine your current skills level. After you complete the assessment, you will receive your results and what courses are available to you based on your scores.  You will also create a personalized plan for success and to meet your personal goals English Language Acquisition (ELA) is a program of instruction designed for adults who are limited English proficient and whose primary language is not English. The ESL program is for students who need to improve their speaking, reading, writing, and understanding of the English language to enable them to further their education or obtain employment. Classes are designed for adults who are not native English speakers. Because individual needs vary considerably, instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening is tailored to meet individual needs.

Schedule of Classes

ELA Class Sessions:                      

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - Crisp Building, Room 109                       

Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Crisp Building, Room 109                        

Wednesday and Thursday  5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Andrews High School 

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EL Civics/Citizenship Sessions: Classes are offered in Hayesville, Robbinsville, and Andrews call for class days and times.

If you have questions or would like to attend class please contact:

Lee Beal
Director of Adult Basic Education and HRD
lbeal@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4208  

Erika Gillis
College & Career Readiness Instructor & Transition Specialist
egillis@tricountycc.edu
(828)835-4228 

Download the GED Minor Applicant Form Do you need a copy of your North Carolina GED transcript? Please click here:  GED Official Transcript Request

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