Fifteen North Carolina Schools Launch $25M Improvement Initiative

Fifteen North Carolina middle schools have been selected to participate in the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, a five-year, $25 million program aimed at improving school performance with a focus on mathematics and career development. Funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation and supported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Marzano Resources, the initiative targets rural and economically disadvantaged communities. The schools are divided into two cohorts: the Transformative Schools Cohort, which will implement the Marzano High Reliability Schools Framework and the Open Up Resources Problem-Based Math Curriculum, and the Personalized, Competency-Based Education Cohort, which will shift schools toward Competency-Based Education emphasizing personalized learning paths. Selection involved a rigorous application and evaluation process including interviews with district and school leadership. The program provides intensive coaching, instructional resources, and funding for staff development to foster long-term educational improvements and workforce readiness. State Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green highlighted the initiative as a foundational step in preparing students for college, careers, and lifelong community engagement.