Dear North Carolina Students, Families and Educators,
Welcome back to school! I hope you had a restful summer and are ready for a great 2026-27 school year.
Last school year, the North Carolina public school system announced four historic milestones, each the highest ever recorded in our state's history. Our graduation rate reached 87.7%, the highest in state history. Students earned qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams at a rate of 72.1%, above the national average and the highest in state history. Career and Technical Education students earned 382,964 industry-recognized credentials, the highest in state history. And 54% of our graduates passed a college-level course while still in high school, the highest percentage ever recorded.
Those numbers matter because they confirm that we are on our way to having the best public education system in the nation, but they are not the whole story. They are proof of what happens when students, educators, families and communities pull in the same direction. This year, let us build on that momentum.
This school year, we want every student to find their stories. Whether that is in a favorite book, a new subject, a friendship or an activity they have never tried, this is the year to discover them. Speaking of stories, get ready: in January, North Carolina is launching the 10 Million Book Challenge, a statewide effort inviting our students to read 10 million books collectively in 2027. I hope every student in this state finds stories this year that stay with them.
We also want every student to find their fit and build their future. Whether that path leads to a four-year college or university, a community college, an apprenticeship or straight into the workforce, North Carolina is building more ways than ever for students to discover what fits them and to take their next step with confidence.
As we begin this year, let us celebrate the power of public education and do so with gratitude.
Families, thank you for your partnership. Your engagement makes a lasting difference.
Educators and school staff, I revere you. Thank you for the skill, compassion and heart you bring to this work every single day.
Students, you are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in you. Here’s to a year of finding your stories, finding your fit and building a future worthy of pride.
Welcome back. Let us make this a great year.
With gratitude,
Maurice "Mo" Green
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction