Greensboro, N.C. – Guilford County Schools (GCS) will expand its nationally recognized high school learning hubs program into district middle schools, thanks to $2.2 million in grant funding secured by Rep. Kathy Manning (NC-06) for the GCS Middle School Learning Hubs Expansion Project.  

GCS launched learning hubs at all 15 comprehensive high schools in the winter of 2021. The hubs create small environments where students can extend learning beyond the traditional day and receive other support. GCS has seen early success on the impact learning hubs have had on students. For example, in high school, students who attended learning hubs during the 2021-2022 school year had a six-percentage point higher graduation rate than those who did not.   

“This funding will provide younger students more opportunities to accelerate learning and will help prioritize academic recovery following two years of interrupted instruction,” said Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley. “In conjunction with high-dosage tutoring, these strategies are making a difference for our students, and we are grateful to Representative Manning for being a champion for public education and her ongoing support for our students.” 

The $2.2 million grant will fund comprehensive services, including access to academic recovery programs, mental health supports, transportation, materials and meals. The funding will also support meetings for students and families to learn about college planning, test-taking strategies, high school success, college-ready course selection and opportunities to participate in choice and Career and Technical Education (CTE) specialized learning pathways. 

Manning was instrumental in advocating on behalf of the district and other community organizations to secure funds in the $1.7 billion bipartisan omnibus bill signed into law on Dec. 29, 2022. In March 2022, Manning secured $2 million in federal funds to support the district’s high-dosage tutoring efforts. During the 2022-2023 school year, GCS has already provided over 100,000 high-dosage tutoring sessions. 

About Guilford County Schools? 

Guilford County Schools, the third largest school district in North Carolina and among the largest of more than 14,000 in the United States, serves nearly 70,000 PK-12 students at 126 schools. With approximately 9,800 employees, GCS works in partnership with parents, businesses, colleges and the community to deliver an education that connects student interests and skills with the careers and economy of our future here and around the world. We provide educational choices to meet individual student needs in a culturally diverse citizenship and new opportunities to help our students grow. For more information, visit the district’s website at www.gcsnc.com.