Swain County Middle School has been selected to participate in the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, a five-year, $25 million school improvement program focused on enhancing academic outcomes and career readiness for middle school students across North Carolina. The initiative is led by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation and in partnership with Marzano Resources.
The school will join a cohort of 15 schools across the state receiving intensive support to implement innovative instructional strategies, with a strong emphasis on mathematics and career development.
"We are honored and excited to be selected as a recipient of the Golden LEAF Personalized Competency-Based Education (PCBE) grant. This opportunity represents a major step forward for Swain County Schools as we continue our mission to provide high-quality, student-centered learning experiences.” said Mark Sale, Superintendent of Swain County Schools. “The Golden LEAF Schools Initiative will allow us to strengthen our instructional practices, build staff capacity, and provide our students with high-quality learning experiences that prepare them for success in high school, college, and future careers.”
Ryan McMahan, principal of Swain Middle School states, “I’m incredibly proud of our school, our students, and our staff. At Swain County Middle School, we’re on a mission to be the best—for our staff, our students, and our community. With the support of the Golden LEAF grant, we’re well on our way. This opportunity will help us strengthen our instructional practices, build staff capacity, and provide our students with meaningful, high-quality learning experiences that prepare them for whatever path they choose.”
As part of the Personalized, Competency-Based Education (PCBE) Cohort, Swain County Middle School will benefit from focused coaching and support. This includes implementation of the Competency-Based Education Model and career development resources tailored to meet the unique needs of students and staff.
“The Golden LEAF Schools Initiative is a powerful first step toward our goal of ensuring that North Carolina’s public schools are the best in the nation,” said North Carolina State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “By investing in middle school math instruction – especially in our rural and economically challenged communities – we are building a foundation that prepares every student for college, careers and lifelong community engagement.”
The selection process was highly competitive and included a rigorous application and interview process that involved key school and district leaders.
“Golden LEAF is proud to fund this bold, collaborative effort to improve student outcomes and build a stronger future for our state,” said Scott T. Hamilton, President and CEO of the Golden LEAF Foundation. “By investing in middle schools through research-based strategies and intensive support, we are not only strengthening academic achievement in critical areas like math but laying the groundwork for career readiness and long-term economic vitality in North Carolina’s rural communities.”
About the Golden LEAF Foundation
The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities. Since 1999, the foundation has supported projects that promote long-term economic advancement through grantmaking and strategic partnerships.