Families don’t all choose the same educational path. And, they shouldn’t have to. For some families, homeschooling or virtual learning offers the flexibility they are looking for. But flexibility doesn’t always mean a family wants their child learning alone at home.
They may still want structure. Support. Friendships. Community. A place to belong.
That is where Beaufort Learning Collective (BLC) comes in.
Located in downtown Beaufort, BLC opened this fall as a grades 5–12 learning community combining an accredited online curriculum powered by Cyber Academy with in-person academic support, community engagement, hands-on learning experiences, and opportunities to build confidence, independence, and relationships.
Learn • Grow • Connect • Thrive
That is the heart of Beaufort Learning Collective. “Every student has potential, but not every student thrives in the same environment,” said Mike Grieco, co-founder of Beaufort Learning Collective. “At BLC, we have the opportunity to really know our students, understand how they learn best, and give them the support they need to grow. We want our students to leave us not only with strong academic skills, but with confidence in who they are and what they are capable of. That is what meaningful education should look like.”
For BLC, flexible learning is not about doing less. It is about creating an environment where students can learn in a way that works for them while continuing to be challenged, 
supported, and encouraged to discover what they are capable of. “We know families are looking for options, but they are also looking for connection,” said Alana Jenkins, co-founder of Beaufort Learning Collective. “We wanted to create a place where students can have the flexibility of an online education without feeling like they are doing it alone. Being able to know our students, build relationships with them, and create opportunities for them to learn alongside others is a really important part of what we are building at BLC.”
And that belief in possibility doesn’t end when a student graduates.
Learning Doesn’t Stop at Graduation
This fall, Fiddler & Tide Life Skills Center, a program of Beaufort Learning Collective, will launch its post-secondary transition program for young adults ages 18–26.
Located in downtown Beaufort, Fiddler & Tide is an intentionally small, structured day program for young adults who are ready to take an active role in their own growth and benefit from focused coaching and support as they navigate the transition to adulthood.
The program focuses on executive functioning, life skills, job readiness, community participation, and building confidence through hands-on experiences, individualized coaching, and small-group learning.
Fiddler & Tide is designed with young adults with mild intellectual, developmental, cognitive, learning, and/or neurodivergent differences in mind. Because every young adult is different, the program considers each individual’s strengths, goals, and support needs when determining whether Fiddler & Tide is the right fit.
Fiddler & Tide is about building a bridge from where a young adult is today to where they want to go next — empowering them with the tools, skills, and confidence to forge their own path and build greater independence.
That happens through real-world experiences — practicing everyday skills, developing self-advocacy, exploring workplaces, preparing for a meaningful job, navigating the community, managing schedules, making decisions, building relationships, and learning by doing.
Because independence isn’t built by simply talking about it. It is built by doing. “I understand the challenges that can come with transitioning from high school to adulthood because I experienced them firsthand as a mother,” said Amy Painton, co-founder of Beaufort Learning Collective and founder of Fiddler & Tide Life Skills Center. “That experience was a real wake-up call and gave me a glimpse into the gaps our community faces in supporting young adults as they take those next steps. Fiddler & Tide was created to help bridge some of those gaps and give young adults the tools, experiences, and support to move forward independently with confidence.”
For one young adult, that next step may be college. For another, it may be finding and maintaining meaningful employment. For someone else, it may be building greater independence, stronger relationships, or simply feeling more confident navigating everyday life.
Their path may not look like anyone else’s. And that’s okay.
Building a Stronger Community Together
BLC is also proud to partner with Thumbs Up of Beaufort, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been serving students in our community since 1995. Thumbs Up serves students in grades K–5, with a focus on literacy, strong academic foundations, and helping students build confidence both academically and socially.
Its after-school program provides additional academic support, enrichment, and opportunities for students to grow.
“We are excited to partner with BLC because we believe education can open doors and give young people the confidence to see what is possible for their future. Thumbs Up, BLC, and Fiddler & Tide each serve young people in different ways, but at the heart of what we do is the same goal — helping young people learn, grow, and have the opportunity to build a life they are proud of,” said Joseph Rutter, Board Chair, Thumbs Up of Beaufort.
Thumbs Up serves students in grades K–5, BLC serves grades 5–12, and Fiddler & Tide serves young adults ages 18–26. While each organization has its own focus, together they create a continuum of educational opportunities and support as young people grow, learn, and prepare for what comes next.
And when we help young people build better lives, we build a stronger community – for all of us.
Learn More
BLC is proud to partner with Thumbs Up of Beaufort, a separate, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are pleased to support their after-school program as a community resource for local families.
To learn more about BLC, Fiddler & Tide, or the Thumbs Up after-school program, please visit www.bftlearningcollective.org
