Yancey County Schools was recently approved for a grant which will allow them to continue one summer education program and enhance a second one. The Dogwood Health Trust has awarded YCS $495,000 in funding to operate its Learners and Leaders series through the summer of 2026. The grant will also provide funding to expand the orientation initiative for rising 6th grade and 9th grade students. Both programs were previously funded through federal Covid-related grants which ended in Spring 2024. With the knowledge that the federal funds would be ending, YCS sought other resources to sustain these beneficial courses for their students.
“Yancey County Schools greatly appreciates the Dogwood Health Trust’s willingness to enable us to maintain these valuable resources for our students,” shared Director of Elementary Education Andrea Allen. “This funding will allow us to consistently promote opportunities for our students to succeed throughout their academic career.”
Learners and Leaders is a Kindergarten through 4th grade program created to help participating students become more successful through four weeks of learning activities during the summer session. The course uses The Leader in Me curriculum to build leadership, cultural and academic skills. The orientation initiative for rising 6th and 9th grade students is designed to support the successful transition from elementary school to middle school and from middle school to high school. This time provides opportunities for students to meet and socialize with their peers from other schools as well as build relationships with each other and their future teachers.
Yancey County Schools diligently works to explore every available resource in order to provide students and families with the greatest potential for success. Partners such as Dogwood Health Trust help tremendously to see that potential become a reality.