Rural Schools Archives - The GRAD Partnership

Fulfilling Institutional Aspirations at a Service-focused University

East Carolina University (ECU) aspires to be a national model for student success, public service, and regional transformation. In the ECU College of Education, the Rural Education Institute (REI) pursues that goal with a specific focus on rural schools and communities. As one of the flagship programs in the REI, the GRAD Partnership provides a model and mechanism for meeting our goals and fulfilling our aspirations to the benefit of students, families, and communities in rural eastern North Carolina. Notably, we’re talking here about more than simple alignment (i.e., the idea that the structure and content of the GRAD Partnership matches up with the purpose and mission of REI). Our experience suggests that the partnership has elevated our work’s relevance and impact.

Student Success Systems Highlighted at National Summit on Improvement in Education

This year’s Summit featured a presentation highlighting the work of two GRAD Partnership intermediary organizations implementing student success systems in rural contexts.

Making History at Globe High School

At Globe High School in Arizona, a new GRAD Partnership school, history is still alive and being created every day. Cross-posted from Rural Schools Collaborative April 17, 2025 Located about two hours east of Phoenix lies the scenic town of…

Missouri State helps represent rural schools in national initiative

Ten schools in the Ozarks received a grant for GRAD Partnership from the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) to implement student-success systems and participate in the rural portion of a national project.

GRAD Partnership School Earns First ‘A’ Rating

A big round of congratulations are in order for the GRAD Partnership’s first spotlight school – Southeast Lauderdale High School – who have recently seen their efforts to support student success systems pay off in a big way.

Spotlights Share Their Stories: Johnson Central High School

The GRAD Partnership recently checked in with Noel Crum to learn about what led to his school’s decision to work with BARR, and what impact that the work has had on its students.

Building School Connectedness for Student Success at Tulelake Basin High

Recently, the Rural Schools Collaborative Team, along with GRAD Partnership Intermediary North State Together (NST) had the opportunity to meet members of the leadership team working to improve student success and connectedness at Tulelake Basin High School in Tulelake, CA. Their efforts were led by Tara Wright-Baley, the school counselor and a former graduate of Tulelake herself.

TRIO at Anderson and West Valley High Schools

This spring, the Rural Schools Collaborative Team, along with GRAD Partnership Intermediary North State Together (NST), had the opportunity to meet members of the TRIO leadership team working to build student success and connectedness at Anderson Union School District.

Spotlight School: Demopolis High School

Demopolis High School was chosen as the GRAD Partnership’s fifth spotlight school for its success in fostering student-centered mindsets as part of their implementation of a student success system.

The GRAD Partnership Welcomes Two New Intermediary Partners

Missouri State University’s Center for Rural Education and the Arizona Rural School Association (ARSA) join The University of West Alabama and California’s North State Together as part of the GRAD Partnership’s rural cohort Intermediaries, an initiative led in conjunction with the Rural Schools Collaborative.