Warren County Middle School (WCMS) has been selected as one of just 15 schools statewide to participate in the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, a five-year, $25 million program aimed at boosting academic success and career readiness for North Carolina’s middle schoolers.

WCMS is expected to receive approximately $1.8 million in benefits over the next five years.

Funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation and led by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) in partnership with Marzano Resources, the initiative focuses on improving instruction, especially in math, and helping students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world career opportunities.

“This initiative offers a rare combination of financial support, professional development, and resources that can make a real difference,” said Warren County Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Montague-Davis. “Our students and staff deserve every opportunity to grow and thrive, and this grant gives us another way to support them.”

WCMS is expected to receive approximately $1.8 million in benefits over the next five years./ Crystal Myrick (Warrenist)

As a member of the Transformative Schools Cohort, WCMS will receive focused coaching, new math resources, and career development tools tailored to meet the needs of Warren County’s students and teachers.

“The Golden LEAF Schools Initiative will allow us to strengthen our teaching practices and create more meaningful learning experiences for our students,” said WCMS Principal Michelle Dunbar. “We’re excited to see how this investment helps both our students and staff grow.”

“The Golden LEAF Schools Initiative is a powerful first step toward our goal of ensuring that North Carolina’s public schools are the best in the nation,” said North Carolina State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “By investing in middle school math instruction – especially in our rural and economically challenged communities – we are building a foundation that prepares every student for college, careers and lifelong community engagement.”

The selection process was highly competitive and included a rigorous application and interview process involving district and school leadership.

“Golden LEAF is proud to fund this bold, collaborative effort to improve student outcomes and build a stronger future for our state,” said Scott T. Hamilton, President and CEO of the Golden LEAF Foundation. “By investing in middle schools through research-based strategies and intensive support, we are not only strengthening academic achievement in critical areas like math but laying the groundwork for career readiness and long-term economic vitality in North Carolina’s rural communities.”

For more information about the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative visit the Golden LEAF Schools’ website.

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If you were anywhere else in the world and not inside the Warren County Middle School gym last Friday evening (May 30), you missed out on a historic event in our community.

Under the directorial helm of Nichole Gibbs and Cherita Smith, the WCMS Musical Theatre 8th period class stepped into the spotlight and performed A Little Bit of Magic in front of their families, Warren County Schools staff, and community theatre enthusiasts.

A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC, a stage production written by Gail Golden centers around “Do-Nothing Dale, a little picked-upon wizard, who wants to know what her little bit of magic is. On her journey to find out, she meets people like the laughing Coco the Clown and the singing Marilyn Melody, and she finds that she’s just as special as everyone else in the world.” (Source)

The magical night kicked off with a preshow featuring monologues from students, Lilly Byrd, Zha’niya Clark, and Elijah Pettus.

Nichole Gibbs, WCMS Theatre Arts teacher, prepped the audience for what would turn out to be an engaging and interactive event by breaking down Theatre Production 101 and what it takes to run a show by soliciting responses from the knowledgeable audience. Little did they know that, later in the evening, they, too, would be joining the actors on stage.

Overall, the show was amazing! There was singing. There was dancing. And best of all, we were so honored to witness these young talents at work. And with any good story, there was a lesson in the end: We all have that “something” that makes us special.

Who knows? Today, we’re applauding them in a school gymnasium. Tomorrow, it could be Broadway, and we can say we remember them when they got their start in Warren County.

Tickets for the show were $7, or $10 if one wanted to make a special shout-out.

Proceeds from the event helped cover costs for scripts, royalties, and security. Their future goal is to provide a starter fund for future WCMS Theatre Productions in order to produce shows on a larger scale.

If you’re interested in becoming a community partner or volunteer, contact Nichole Gibbs at ngibbs@warrenk12nc.org.

A Little Bit of Magic was presented by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Denver, Colorado.

Preshow Feature Monologues/Scenes
Lilly Byrd, Zha’niya Clark, and Elijah Pettus

Cast of Characters (By Order of Appearance)
Player One – Keymoni Fuller
Player Two – Madison Aycock
Player Three – A’shayla Hawkins
Jonathan Primiano, Jr.
Pianist – Caleb Hargrove
Wonder Wanda – Ameerah Steed
Magnificent Mervin – Elijah Harris
Do-Nothing Dale – Amaris Yancey
Marilyn Melody – Serenity Henderson
Coco the Clown – Kira Cunningham
Depressed Daisy – Veronica Stewart
Flowers – Players and Audience
The Weatherman – Zyier Belcher
Kalabash Turnbull
Princess Patricia – Arely Gandarilla

Ensemble
WCMS Musical Theatre 8th period class and The Audience

Production Staff
Artistic Director – Nichole Gibbs
Musical Director – Cherita Smith
Choreography – Nichole Gibbs, Kayla Smith
Stage Manager, Lights, Ensemble – Jimmy Thorpe, Jr.
Sound – Kira Cunningham, Nichole Gibbs
Costume, Props, and Set – Nichole Gibbs and Cast
Publicity – Pioneer Drama, Jimmy Thorpe, Jr. and Production Stff
Production Assistance – Kayla Smith, Ayaina Blake, Kierra Townes
Box Office – Robin Closs and WCMS Staff

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North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Communications Director Tammy Martin delivered school supplies to Warren County Middle School as part of the Governor Roy Cooper’s School Supply Drive (September 10th).

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The NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) presented state test results for the 2023-24 school year to the State Board of Education on Sept. 4. While NCDPI continues to classify Warren County Schools as a Low Performing District, there are some areas of improvement to celebrate.

How scores are calculated and categorized
As a reminder, 80 percent of the NCDPI school performance grade comes from the percentage of students performing at or above grade level. Only 20 percent of the grade reflects how much students’ test scores improved from the previous year, also known as their growth rate. Schools can show growth, while still not meeting proficiency targets.

Warren County Schools 2023-24 school performance results at a glance:

DISTRICT RESULTS

* For the third consecutive year, the district’s overall student performance score has increased to 29.5 percent in 2023-24.
* Our overall English II proficiency score improved to 54 percent in 2023-24 from 50 percent the year before.
* The district’s overall proficiency score in 5th-grade science jumped to 41.4 percent in 2023-24 from 25.8 percent in 2022-23.
* Our district’s overall math proficiency score improved from 22.7 to 25.8 percent.

The most significant jump was in high school Math III scores, increasing from 23.5 in 2022-23 to 40 percent in 2023-24.

Other math proficiency score improvements

SCHOOL RESULTS

Warren Early College High School (WECHS) earned an A grade and exceeded its expected growth in academic performance for the second straight year in the school’s history.
Warren County High School (WCHS) met its growth targets, improved its overall student performance score, and maintained a D grade.

Seventy-eight percent of WCHS students graduated within four years, and when given five years, the graduation rate jumps to 82 percent.

Vaughan Elementary (VES) maintained a D grade even though NCDPI reports the school did not meet its growth targets. However, VES 5th graders nearly doubled their science proficiency scores from 38.4 percent in 2022-23 to 73.7 percent in 2023-24. That significant improvement is not calculated in the overall student performance scores because the school’s 5th-grade class was smaller than 30 students.

AREAS OF FOCUS NEEDING IMPROVEMENT

* Only 29.5 percent of our students are performing at or above grade level.

* NCDPI identifies five of our six schools as low-performing (all but WECHS).

* Mariam Boyd Elementary (MBES), Northside Elementary (NES), and Warren County Middle (WCMS) schools have an F school performance grade.

* MBES, NES, VES, and WCMS did not meet student improvement (growth) expectations.

* Most reading-level proficiency scores across the district declined.

INITIATIVES IMPROVING OUR PROFICIENCY RATES

* Elementary schools rearranged class schedules in 2023-24 to teach core subjects in the morning when students are typically more alert and engaged. This strategy helped improve elementary science scores.

* We’re providing tutoring throughout the school year and enhanced summer learning opportunities to help students performing below grade level.

* We’ve hired Instructional Coaches and Master Teachers to show classroom teachers proven strategies to help students learn difficult concepts and subjects.

* We’re using data-driven instruction to identify students’ individual strengths and areas where we need to improve that student’s understanding.

* The district is working to foster partnerships with community organizations and volunteers to provide students with additional learning opportunities, experiences, and individualized support (or attention).

* We’re strengthening relationships between school staff and students’ families so we can all work together to meet our children’s physical, mental, and emotional needs.

“For Warren County Schools to truly reflect our students’ capabilities, we need parents, teachers, staff, and the community to work together to ignite children’s passion for learning so each one can meet their true potential,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Carol Montague-Davis.

Warren County Schools acknowledges our need to significantly improve the levels of teaching and learning in our schools. We also believe the state’s grading and classification system does not accurately reflect our district’s academic performance. Two of our six schools are too small for students’ scores to be included in the state’s formula to calculate student proficiency and academic growth. VES and WECHS have several classes with less than 30 students, so their scores aren’t included in their proficiency or growth scores. Both scores would be higher if VES and WECHS student achievement results were included.

NCDPI notes that the information in the School Report Card, while important, cannot tell you the entire story about a school. Other important factors — the extra hours put in by teachers preparing for class and grading assignments, the school spirit felt by families, the involvement in sports, arts, or other extracurriculars – are crucial aspects of a school community, but are not reflected in these test results and classifications.

*****
Ed. Note: Warren County Schools students, teachers, and staff are to be commended for their efforts and their success in making noticeable strides in reaching their objectives. We know it is not easy. As a community, we are proud of you all, and we look forward to seeing how the new initiatives impact proficiencies.

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The Warren County Board of Education voted Tuesday night (Aug. 13) to move Warren County Middle School to the elementary school calendar for this 2024-25 school year. This allows additional time for continued maintenance and repairs at the middle school following Tropical Storm Debby. The first day of school for students at WCMS will be Monday, August 26, 2024.

WCMS staff will report to work on Monday, August 19, 2024.

Warren County Schools sincerely apologize for this unavoidable situation and the inconvenience it has caused. We appreciate your understanding and your support of Warren County Middle School.

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Whether it’s to improve a course grade, meet grade-level reading requirements, get ahead in a subject, or just because you love learning – we’ve got a great camp just for you!

Camp Warren offers four different Summer Learning opportunities, based on students’ needs, interests, and grade level.

Camps last four days and follow the daily schedule of Monday-Wednesday 8am-2pm and Thursday 8am-1pm.

All summer learning programs are free for Warren County Schools students. Breakfast, lunch, and transportation are provided.

Credit Recovery Camp (Grades 9-12)

JUNE 13-30, 2022
For high school students who need to improve a course grade from the 2021-22 school year in order to successfully pass the class.
Warren County High School

Read to Achieve Camp (Grades 2-3, by invitation only)

JUNE 27-JULY 28, 2022
Required for 3rd grade students who have not met Read to Achieve requirements for promotion to 4th grade.
Highly encouraged for 2nd grade students who have not met Read to Achieve requirements.
Warren County Middle School

Summer Bridge Camp (Grades K-12)

JULY 11-28, 2022
For any student not involved in Read to Achieve Camp. Summer Bridge Acceleration Camp involves reading, science, technology, engineering, math, quilting, career exploration, Let’s Get Fit, and much more.

• Grades K-5 at Mariam Boyd Elementary
• Grades 6-8 at Warren County Middle School
• Grades 9-12 at Warren County High School

Career Empowerment Camp (Rising Grades 6-12)

The Career Empowerment Camp provides all middle and high school students an opportunity to explore and pursue high paying, high demand career options, with a pathway to additional education after high school, military service, or securing a job after graduation.

• Grades 6-8 at Warren County Middle School
• Grades 9-12 at Warren County High School

Activities

• Certifications
• Virtual Job Shadowing
• Coding
• Next Junior Chef
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and NASA-sponsored Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)

JUNE 13-16, 2022

Warren County High School (rising 9-12 graders)

• Youth Entrepreneurship Camp
• The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
• Next Jr Chef
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and NASA-sponsored Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)

Warren County Middle School (rising 6-8 graders)

• Career Exploration
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and NASA-sponsored Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)

JUNE 27-30, 2022

Warren County High School (rising 9-12 graders)

• Youth Entrepreneurship Camp
• Next Jr Chef
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and NASA-sponsored Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)

Warren County Middle School (rising 6-8 graders)

• Career Exploration
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and NASA-sponsored Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)

JULY 25-28, 2022

Warren County High School (rising 9-12 graders)

• Youth Entrepreneurship Camp
• The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
• Next Jr Chef
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and NASA-sponsored Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)

Warren County Middle School (rising 6-8 graders)

• Career Exploration
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and NASA-sponsored Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)

Applications are due May 27, 2022.

For more information about CAMP WARREN, visit the Warren County Schools website here.

: Warren County Schools

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