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Perspective | A message to students, families, and educators at the start of the school year

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Superintendent Mo Green welcoming a student back to school at Washington Magnet Elementary in 2025. Courtesy of DPI

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year!

As your State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I am thrilled to welcome each of you back to what promises to be an extraordinary year of learning, growth, and achievement in North Carolina’s public schools.

To our students: This is YOUR year. Whether you’re starting kindergarten, entering middle school, or preparing for your senior year and graduation, incredible opportunities await you. Your future is bright.

Dream big, work hard, and know that your educators and I believe in you.

— Superintendent Mo Green

To our families: Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious gift — your children. You are our most important partners, and together, we will ensure every child receives the world-class education they deserve.

To our educators: Thanks for all you have done and will do for our students, families, communities, state and beyond. Please know that you are part of a noble profession and I revere you.

Courtesy of NC Public Schools

This year marks a historic moment for North Carolina public education. Earlier this month, the State Board of Education and I launched “Achieving Educational Excellence,” our bold strategic plan with a clear mission: By 2030, North Carolina will have the best public school system in America.

This plan was built WITH you, through listening sessions in every corner of our state. North Carolinians told us their hopes and dreams for our schools, and we listened. For North Carolina’s public schools to be the best, it will take commitment and hard work by public school champions across North Carolina. The good news is that there are many wonderful things already happening in our schools and there will be much more to come over the next five years.

Here is some of what’s new this year:

  • Direct college admission: Through NC College Connect, students with a 2.8 GPA or above already have guaranteed admission to many public and private colleges universities across North Carolina. The question isn’t “if” but “where.”
  • Stronger start in math: Through an amazing five year, $25 million grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation, we will be transforming mathematics instruction in several rural middle schools with proven methods and unprecedented support.
  • Focused learning environments: Students should have minimal distractions from cellphones and social media during instructional time, creating spaces where learning comes first.
  • New student information system: Public schools across North Carolina will be using a new student information system called Infinite Campus. This new system provides parents, students, and teachers with real-time access to student data, including grades, attendance, schedules and is accessible from your phone and computer. Infinite Campus uses two-factor authentication for educators and security measures for parents to ensure data protection.

North Carolina’s 1.5 million public school students are capable of amazing things. Our dedicated school employees are ready to guide them. Our communities are stepping up as champions for education. Together, we are unstoppable.

As we collectively pack backpacks, sharpen pencils, and prepare for the first day, know this:

North Carolina’s public schools are on the rise.
We’re not just preparing students for tests — we’re preparing them for life.
We’re not just teaching subjects — we’re developing character.
We’re not just opening school doors — we’re opening doors to opportunity.

Superintendent Mo Green

The journey to becoming the best in the nation starts with this school year. It starts with you. It starts now.

Here’s to an incredible 2025-26 school year. Let’s make it one for the history books!

With excitement and determination,

Maurice “Mo” Green
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction

P.S. Visit go.ncdpi.gov/bestinnation to read our full strategic plan and learn how you can support your local schools. Together, we’ll achieve educational excellence!