Teachers from New Hanover High School’s RISE program described the program’s growth, outcomes and plans and the board unanimously agreed to seek philanthropic support for expansion.

Taylor Henderson, a RISE teacher and the district’s 2023 teacher of the year, told the board the program — Relationships Inspire Student Empowerment — began as a 2021 pilot serving about 36 students and now serves roughly 60 students in grades 9–12 in a small, personalized setting. Henderson said results include improvements in state‑tested courses and behavior: “Math I proficiency rose from 36 to 87 percent, English from 46 to 75, and suspensions dropped from 153 to 78 days,” Henderson said, summarizing internal program data presented to the board.

Denise Evan Kazen, another RISE teacher, outlined the program’s structure — six core classes, EC labs, hospital/homebound services and daily enrichment — and said the district is planning mentor pairings for juniors and seniors and a student‑run business to provide work experiences and reinvest revenue into the program.

Board members praised the model and asked for clarity on the pilot timeline and outcomes. Jesse Barnhart moved that the board include an endowment request this year to support replication and mentorship for RISE; the motion was seconded and approved 7–0. The board chair said staff and teachers will help scale the approach while recognizing schools will need local adaptation.

Next steps: the endowment ask will be added to the board’s priority list of funding requests and staff will follow up on implementation and mentoring details.