Harnett County School Chosen For Golden LEAF Education Program

RALEIGH, N.C. — Overhills Middle School in Harnett County has been selected to join a statewide school improvement initiative backed by a $25 million investment aimed at transforming education in rural North Carolina schools.

The school is one of four additional middle schools selected to participate in the Personalized, Competency-Based Education (PCBE) Cohort of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, according to an announcement from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

The initiative is funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation and supported in partnership with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and Marzano Resources.

Overhills Middle joins schools from Davie, Rockingham, and McDowell counties as the newest additions to the program, bringing the total number of participating schools statewide to 19.

The PCBE Cohort focuses on personalized and competency-based learning, an approach designed to help students master subjects at their own pace while preparing them for future education and workforce opportunities.

Participating schools receive coaching, instructional support, curriculum resources, and funding for travel, stipends, and bonuses. The initiative also includes math and career readiness resources.

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice ‘Mo’ Green said schools already participating in the initiative are showing positive signs of improvement.

“The energy and commitment I have seen across the first 15 Golden LEAF schools is inspiring, and these four new schools will only add to the momentum,” Green said in a statement. “When I visited the schools in the initiative during the last few months, I saw positive school cultures and students actively engaged during classes.”

Golden LEAF President and CEO Scott T. Hamilton said the program is designed to strengthen educational opportunities in rural and economically distressed communities.

“This strategic investment in rural North Carolina is already beginning to make a meaningful difference for our students and the future workforce,” Hamilton said.

The schools selected for the PCBE Cohort went through an application and interview process involving district leaders, principals, and curriculum officials.

The Golden LEAF Schools Initiative is based on the Marzano High Reliability Schools framework, which focuses on school safety, instructional quality, student achievement, and continuous improvement.

State officials said the newly selected schools demonstrated a strong readiness to implement new learning models and instructional strategies.

Overhills Middle School will join the initiative as it enters its second year.