AT&T Gives $100,000 to The Middle College at UNCG

The Middle College at UNCG, one of the district's seven middle college high schools, was selected as one of 47 recipients nationwide for a contribution from AT&T. The $100,000 AT&T Aspire contribution will be used to provide essential materials and supplies and fund student transportation costs during the school's expansion.

Because of the district's solid record of proven results in keeping at-risk students engaged in school and reaching their full academic potential through middle college programs, The Middle College at UNCG will receive a share of nearly $10 million from AT&T that will be awarded to schools and non-profits across the country.

"AT&T's support is helping grow our ability to reach, support and graduate students who otherwise might not succeed," said Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green. "AT&T understands that its future depends on creating an educated and productive workforce, and their support of The Middle College at UNCG is proof of their commitment to the community."

Guilford County Schools (GCS) teamed with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the fall of 2011 to open The Middle College at UNCG, a non-traditional high school targeting students who have an interest in health, medical or youth development service careers. The school is adding a class of 50 ninth-graders each year to reach a maximum enrollment of 200 students in 2014-15.

In addition to taking honors-level classes, students at The Middle College at UNCG may earn up to two years of college credit and may also take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Students at the school are accountable not only to teachers, but to each other and their mentors, creating a web of social and emotional support that helps students feel a sense of belonging and understand they are valued members of their community. The course of study includes weekly career-focused learning and internship opportunities in partnership with the business community. 

"The Middle College at UNCG has opened up so many opportunities I wouldn't get in a regular high school," said sophomore Merriam Willis. "The education provided is phenomenal. I want to become an ultrasound technician, so since I already know what I want to do, I can go to a school that will prepare me to reach my goal quicker. The teachers are really nice and caring, and we all know each other at the school. It's like a family."

With more than 1 million students impacted since its launch in 2008, the AT&T Aspire program is one of the largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers. AT&T announced an additional quarter-billion-dollar expansion to the program earlier this year, bringing the total commitment to $350 million. 

"Every student has the potential to learn. Some just have bigger hurdles to clear. Guilford County Schools' middle college concept recognizes that," said Cynthia Marshall, AT&T's North Carolina President. "The Middle College at UNCG provides students a positive learning environment and social network needed to succeed, but it also holds them accountable. This is exactly the kind of program AT&T's Aspire contribution was designed to support."

Applicants were evaluated based on their accomplishments in serving students at risk of dropping out of high-school and their ability to use data to demonstrate the effectiveness of their work. After a rigorous and competitive process, The Middle College at UNCG was identified as making a real difference in their community by supporting and motivating traditionally under-served students to stay in school and prepare for the next step in life.

To learn more about all of the organizations that were selected for the AT&T Aspire program, visit http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=2631 .