Surry County continues to expand its college-going focus beyond the early college environment. The demand for college readiness support in Surry County is high, and district leadership is committed to providing this support to all high school students.

“It is this level of dedication that makes Surry County special,” says Dennis Davis, a program director focused on rural innovative schools with NC New Schools.

Surry County is the home of one of the largest early colleges in North Carolina, but demand from interested students continues to exceed available seats. By incorporating early college elements into every high school, the district is working to meet this demand and provide equitable services for all students.

This focus on equity of service helps make Surry County a model district, according to NC New Schools’ Vice President of Talent Development Jodi Anderson.

“The vision is that all students will have relevant learning experiences in a rigorous environment where they can receive college credit in high school,” Anderson said.

Surry County Schools Assistant Superintendent Jill Reinhardt explains that NC News Schools’ services bring value above and beyond allowing the district to offer free college credit to students.

“Providing tuition-free college credit to students who never would have had that opportunity otherwise – that is making a difference in students’ lives,” Reinhardt said. “But NC New Schools also helped us think differently about how we offer personalized, flexible learning for our students.”

Surry’s superintendent, in partnership with the local community college, wants to maintain a comprehensive approach for secondary education, but the district isn’t stopping at the high school level. Over the next five years, the college-going focus and STEM curriculum will be expanded to every middle school in Surry County as well.