More than a decade ago, school districts began partnering with NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning to improve secondary education by creating and supporting early colleges. The belief was, that with appropriate supports, high school students could successfully complete college coursework prior to graduation.

As it turns out, they were right. Many students, including under-represented populations and first generation college-goers, have been able to take free college courses and some have even earned associate degrees while still in high school.

The story could have ended here, but this was just the beginning.

Early college was just one option, but rural districts across the state wanted to explore bringing those same strategies to more students. For the past three years, NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning’s Rural Innovative Schools initiative helped bring these strategies to 11 districts across the state, including to the students at Jones Senior High School.

The results speak for themselves. Over the past two years:
• graduation rates have risen to 91%;
• ACT scores are up 15%; and
• Jones Senior High School earned the grade of “B”.

“It’s the people and the relationships that make this work,” said Jones Senior High School principal Michael White. “Our NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning partners take time to build relationships. We have conversations, listen and ask questions. Teachers are able to get out of their classrooms and out of the building; they are seeing other schools and classrooms. As a result, students and teachers are learning and growing.”

Through leadership and instructional coaching from NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning, educators have aligned their approach according to six Design Principles: ready for college, powerful teaching and learning, personalization, professionalism, leadership, and purposeful design.

“The piece of the partnership I really like is the work with the Design Principles,” said Jones County school district superintendent Dr. Michael Bracy. “They are best practices with solid research behind them and they work. Personalization is the key — getting students prepared for life after high school, no matter what that path may be.”

Jones Senior High School students, faculty and leaders have risen to the challenge and embraced the change. Today, Jones County Senior High School is among the highest performing schools in NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning Rural Innovative Schools network. Increasing numbers of students have signed up for college courses and passed these courses at a very high rate, collectively earning hundreds of college credits.

“When I graduate I will have a huge advantage because I have been taking college courses,” said Danielle Peel, a student at Jones Senior High School. “I’m so lucky to be part of this.”