Perspective | Scaling success: How the Sandhills is transforming education through community schools
The hallways at Lakewood High School have always been filled with potential, but this school year, there is a new kind of energy in the air. As students settled into their desks this year, they weren’t just greeted by their teachers — they were welcomed by a community uniquely aligned to support them.
At the heart of this shift is Wilson Simpson, the school’s community school coordinator. Already a familiar face in Salemburg, Wilson has recently spent his time transforming the school into a true neighborhood hub, connecting families to resources and ensuring every child feels seen before they even open a textbook.
“The difference is palpable,” says Principal Nathan Chabot. “Implementation of the NC Community School Framework at Lakewood High School has had an immediate impact, strengthening attendance, deepening family engagement, and creating a true system of support where students and families know they are seen, supported, and never navigating challenges alone.”
A regional movement, not an isolated pilot
The transformation at Lakewood High School is part of a much larger story. It is one of 11 schools launching the NC Community Schools Framework across the Sandhills. These new schools join four established NC Community Schools in Sampson County, expanding the footprint of community schools to 15 schools across 12 districts in the region and 42 schools across 23 districts statewide.
This is no longer a small-scale pilot project. This growing regional strategy serves approximately 8,000 students. Across the Sandhills, the “Community School” designation is becoming a standard for excellence, proving that when schools, districts, and community resources are aligned, the impacts are exponential.
This expansion isn’t happening in a vacuum; it is rooted in the unique assets of the Sandhills. Our region has a deep history of resilience, community leadership, and collaboration. We are not starting from scratch. Instead, the NC Community Schools Coalition is building upon decades of local effort, trusted relationships, and a shared vision for our children’s future. In the Sandhills, we have always known that we are stronger together; now we have a formal framework to turn that philosophy into action.
While there is much pride in the Sandhills, the reality of the challenges facing our students is significant. Leaders across the region are navigating a 27% poverty rate. Under North Carolina’s current accountability system, the Sandhills region has the highest percentage of low performing schools and districts among the eight state board regions. Additionally, the Sandhills includes many rural, isolated communities where economic and geographic challenges place students at heightened risk, often limiting their ability to learn and experience long-term success.
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Why community schools?
The NC Community Schools Framework is the right strategy for this moment because it isn’t a “program” that can be completed — it is a long-term strategy. It moves schools and districts away from fragmented services and toward a model where the entire community is aligned with the school and district around student success.
By focusing on four key pillars — integrated student support, expanded learning time, active family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership — the framework ensures that schools are equipped to handle the “whole child” needs that exist outside the classroom.
The success of this scaling effort is strengthened by the strong regional infrastructure already in place. Organizations such as the Sandhills Regional Education Consortium (SREC) and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) Regional Support Team provide added support through job-alike groups, professional learning opportunities, and networking. Through these entities, we foster coaching and professional learning by equipping coordinators and staff with essential tools, strengthen data use to identify needs and measure impact, and promote sustainability to ensure long-term support and funding.
A vision for the future
Our ambition for the Sandhills is high. We envision a region where every student feels a profound sense of belonging and readiness for the world. Superintendents and district leadership across the Sandhills play a critical role in strengthening this work through their clear vision, commitment, and regional collaboration.
By aligning district priorities with the NC Community Schools Framework, leaders ensure that this effort is not siloed within individual schools but embedded into broader district strategies for student success. Their collective leadership creates consistency, elevates best practices, and allows districts to learn from one another rather than working in isolation. This shared alignment accelerates impact through streamlining resources, reinforcing accountability, and sustaining momentum.
This signals to schools and communities that community schools are not a temporary initiative, but a core approach to how the Sandhills supports students and families. We see our schools becoming true hubs of community pride, where districts can take the lessons learned in one building and translate them across the entire system to impact every student.
The Sandhills is hoping to become a statewide and national model for how rural and regional collaboration can redefine public education. We invite you to join us in this movement. Whether you are a business leader, a parent, or a concerned neighbor, there is a seat for you at the table.