Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence began with a generous gift from MR. PAUL DUKE, DEVELOPER OF TECHNOLOGY PARK in Norcross, GA. Since its inception, the Foundation has received donations from hundreds of families, businesses and community supporters to help fund key programs, capital improvements and initiatives.
These are items that teachers request to enhance their teaching by providing unique learning opportunities that reach beyond traditional curriculum. Though not funded by the county, these items make a direct and immediate impact in the classroom at all levels of learning in the school.
Examples include iPads for English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners, science investigative lab equipment, ensemble music, high interest low-level reading books, and math team tournament fees.
After School Matters (ASM) is a teacher-led after school tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk 9th and 10th graders. NHS teachers work with students to develop study and organizational skills, promote consistent relationships, and expose them to extra-curricular activities that will increase engagement. As we enter the ninth year of the program, the actual results are dramatic, measurable, and consistent. For the 2020 – 2021 school year, 68% of students enrolled in ASM were on free or reduced lunch. In the beginning of 2020, 89% of students enrolled in ASM were failing one or more classes. At the end of the school year, 79% of those students were passing ALL classes.
Our short-term goals are to improve grades and raise the graduation rate while the long-term goal is to prepare students to become contributing members of society, through career or college or both. We’ve noticed an increase in student engagement and school attendance.
To encourage teacher innovation and excellence, the Foundation provides funding for Teacher of the Year awards as well as for teachers to attend professional learning as well as development programs.
The board has voted to set aside up to $5,000 per year- approved at the end of each year to build an endowment with an eye toward longer-term investment and projects. While we, like most of you, prefer to see the majority of our giving spent while our children are enrolled at the school, we also wanted to establish a way to accommodate larger gifts from donors who may want to contribute toward the longer-term benefit of Norcross High School. The fund also enables the foundation to support its programs in the event of an economic downturn.
Flex Room
Engineering Room Renovation
Campus Digital Display Screen
Technology
Wall of Fame
The Trophy Case
The Duke House
The Matrix Board
The Pavilion
Excellence Quotes
Blue Devil Plaza
Media Center Renovation
