Union Middle School (UMS) 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 value of this program for UMS is just over $1.8 million.
UMS will join a cohort of 15 schools across the state that will receive intensive support to implement innovative instructional strategies, with a strong emphasis on mathematics teaching and learning and career development for middle school students by implementing the State’s Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) Durable Skills.
The selection process was highly competitive and included a rigorous application and interview process that involved key school and district leaders.
“This opportunity will not only motivate our staff and students to be the best but also reinforces our commitment to ensuring every teacher is fully equipped with the High Reliability Schools framework,” said Dr. Robbin Cooper, principal of Union Middle School. “Through this partnership, we are dedicated to helping our students excel in mathematics and prepare them for a wide range of future career opportunities.”
As part of the Transformative Schools (TS) Cohort, teachers and staff at UMS will benefit from focused coaching and support. This includes implementation of the Marzano High Reliability Schools (HRS) Framework, math curriculum resources, instructional coaching, and career development resources tailored to meet the unique needs of the school’s students and staff. As an incentive, teacher stipends and principal bonuses will be given based on professional development and EVASS performance data.
“We’re honored to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Dr. Jamie King, SCS superintendent. “This initiative will help us strengthen instruction, support our staff, and give Sampson County students the skills they need for life after high school.”
The HRS model represents a comprehensive, research-proven approach to school management and pedagogy, focusing on five pillars:
Fostering an environment of safety and positivity for students and staff alike;
Streamlining operational protocols and resource allocation for enhanced effectiveness;
Ensuring effective teaching and prioritizing high-quality instruction aligned with comprehensive learning goals;
Monitoring student learning, emphasizing continuous assessments to tailor education to individual student needs; and,
Nurturing a culture of perpetual growth, collaboration, and innovation among educators and learners.
“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.”
“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.”
For more information about the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, visit the Golden LEAF Schools' website.
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.