While five high school finalist teams competed in the annual North Carolina Jr. Chef cook-off this month to create unique school lunch entrée recipes, the “Gold Standard” team from CHASE High School (Rutherford County Schools) won first place in the 2026 NC Jr. Chef Competition. Their “Egg Roll in a Bowl” recipe won top honors in the competition and a silver medal.
Press Releases
Nine public school leaders from across the state have been recognized as regional Principals of the Year.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has been awarded more than $11 million in federal funding to strengthen school-based mental health services, following a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Education. The two grants received will support school psychology training, recruitment and retention efforts, with a focus on high-need and rural school districts.
More than 23,000 public high school seniors have accepted direct admission offers from North Carolina colleges and universities through the NC College Connect program.
North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) students earned a record 382,964 industry-recognized credentials during the 2024-2025 academic year, the highest total in state history, according to a report released today by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
Demonstrating strong levels of safety, North Carolina public school units (PSUs) reported that nearly 80% of schools had five or fewer acts of reportable criminal offenses (reportable offenses), with 44% of schools having zero such acts, in the 2024-25 academic year.
With 229 magnet programs, 138 early college high schools, 211 charter schools and more than 500 career and technical education courses in 14 career pathways, North Carolina's public school system offers families an unprecedented range of educational choices.
Since 2013, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has been proud to partner with the Burroughs Wellcome Fund to honor North Carolina teachers. The state has recognized outstanding teachers through its Teacher of the Year program since 1970.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is seeking schools and fiscally responsible community organizations to serve as sponsors for NC Summer Nutrition Programs in 2026 to help ensure children who have limited access to food at home get the educational enrichment and nutritious meals they need for optimal growth, development and overall well-being.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) today announced $197,929 in grants to 10 public school districts to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in homebuilding and residential construction.
The North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) and North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green today announced the upcoming retirement of Allison Schafer, general counsel to both the Board and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is gaining national recognition for its advanced learning efforts, both as a partner in the new National Research Center on Advanced Education and through a national award honoring one of its leaders
Under the guise of a schoolwide assembly at Pittsboro Elementary School, fourth grade teacher Shane Henderson was surprised with being named as the newest Milken Educator Award recipient on Wednesday morning.
Ten North Carolina school districts from Transylvania to Tyrrell will share more than $392 million in state lottery-funded grant awards for school construction and renovation projects.
For the fourth year in a row, North Carolina students increased their scores and participation in Advanced Placement exams, outpacing the national average and setting a new record for the state.
Four North Carolina public schools were announced today as inaugural statewide Blue Ribbon Schools award winners, a program created by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to continue the tradition of recognizing and highlighting schools that are excelling in academic success.
For the 2025-26 school year, 212 schools across North Carolina have been selected and approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). Every North Carolina school that applied was selected and approved to participate.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Action for Healthy Kids recently announced recipients of the Healthy Meal Incentive (HMI) Awards. Fourteen North Carolina school districts received recognition with either Trailblazer or Innovation HMI Awards.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is partnering with the national AI Innovation Index, an initiative of AI for Equity, to measure and accelerate artificial intelligence literacy among PreK-12 students and staff.
With the official launch of North Carolina’s Skills for the Future project this month, four North Carolina school districts are at the forefront of a national effort to measure and incorporate durable skills into classrooms.