Learning Hubs Will Open To Help Struggling GCS Students

Guilford County Schools will soon open learning hubs to offer face-to-face opportunities for ninth through twelfth graders who are at risk of not graduating. This comes after the district announced that it is delaying the reentry of high school students.

The learning centers were open during weekends in the fall. Now they will be available through the week at 15 high schools. Students will receive individualized support services with flexible scheduling. This includes tutoring, meals, and transportation to the sites.

Whitney Oakley, the district's chief academic officer, says principals will be in contact with families about the program.

“What we know is that students have a lot of unfinished learning that has happened during online instruction and the goal here really is to provide targeted supports to students to make sure that they are on track for graduation,” she says.

Oakley says the district has more students failing classes than it did before the pandemic. At the end of the first quarter, 40 percent failed at least one course — compared to 29 percent at the same time a year ago.

"We have to be innovative, we have to think differently than we did before about how to keep students engaged," she says. 

The district says it's also partnering with local universities to provide graduate assistantships for graduate students who are willing to serve as tutors for kids who may not be able to access the sites.

The learning hubs are scheduled to open on February 8.

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