School News

Dear Granville County Residents,

 

We are all still basking in the glow of our five recent graduation ceremonies, where 463 students proudly crossed the stage, received their diplomas, and turned their tassels! In addition to these milestones, we celebrated dozens of promotion ceremonies and end-of-year events that capped off what has been a very successful school year.

As I’ve shared with you many times before, our four strategic priorities remain: Safety, Academics, Attendance, and Student Behavior. I’m proud to report that we’ve made significant progress in each of these areas.

Safety

I cannot thank our local law enforcement partners enough for their unwavering support of our schools. Sheriff Fountain, Chief Wheless (CPD), and Chief Champion (BPS), along with their teams, have been 100% committed to our students and staff every single day this year. Their presence, vigilance, and responsiveness have been exceptional.  I look forward to Chief Ford (OPD) and her team to officially rejoin our family next year in keeping our students safe!

But even more than enforcement, these officers are building relationships with our students and families—an investment that will yield lasting benefits for our entire community. I also want to thank our parents and students for embracing our motto: "If you see something, say something." Safety is a shared responsibility, and your vigilance matters.

Academics

Last school year, our district made strong gains in both growth and proficiency on state assessments. While this year’s official data is still under embargo by the state, I’m optimistic about what we’ll see. Once the state releases the results later this summer or early fall, I look forward to sharing them—we’ll have much to celebrate on behalf of our students.

Attendance

Attendance continues to improve, though not as quickly as we’d like. A core group of students—particularly in our elementary and middle grades—remains chronically absent. These students often rely on adults to help them get to school, so I’m once again urging families: please make attendance a top priority.  When students miss school, they miss opportunities to learn and grow.

Student Behavior

We’ve seen tremendous improvement in student conduct over the past three years. Just look at the data:

 

Student Code of Conduct Data:	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
Total Number of Disciplinary Referrals	7767	7566	6447
Total Number of Out of School Suspensions	1810	1687	1330

 

While overall infractions are down, the most impressive gains are in the reduction of serious incidents, which receive an out-of-school suspension consequence. We’ve seen a 17% drop in total referrals and a 26.5% decline in out-of-school suspensions over the past two years. This reflects the outstanding work of our principals and teachers in fostering positive behavior, holding students accountable, and reinforcing high expectations. The culture in our schools is changing—and students are responding.

 

Looking Ahead

We have a busy summer ahead! Several summer school programs, internships, camps, and special events are planned across the district. I invite all families to follow our social media channels and visit our school websites for updates.

Of particular note: we’re launching a special program for all rising 9th graders that includes leadership activities, team-building experiences, field trips, food, and fun—all designed to help students transition successfully into high school. If you or someone you know is headed to high school this fall, please contact the school to get registered today!

In closing, I want to thank our incredible educators for their dedication and hard work this year. Your efforts have made a powerful difference in the lives of our students. I wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer—and don’t forget to read, read, and read!

 

Esse quam videri!

 

Dr. Stan Winborne

Superintendent, Granville County Public Schools

Congratulations to our FIRST registered apprentice and ten outstanding pre-apprentices!

We’re proud to celebrate these students who were recognized during the Inaugural Signing Day Celebration, hosted by Granville County Public Schools and ApprenticeshipNC. Each of them is stepping into valuable, real-world experiences through work-based learning opportunities.

Apprentice:

• Dom Reyes – Technology Support Specialist

Pre-Apprentices:

• Mark Abdelmassih – Desktop Support Analyst

• Justin Frazier – Desktop Support Analyst

• Asia Harris – Desktop Support Analyst

• Sienna Armani – Digital Media Production Analyst

• Kamiya Estes – Digital Media Production Analyst

• Maggie Lynch – Digital Media Production Analyst

• Alivia Webb – Digital Media Production Analyst

• MacKenzie Hollowell – Website & Social Media Analyst

• Allison Lavrack – Website & Social Media Analyst

• Samantha Kusan – Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training Resource Developer

Granville County Public Schools Students Shine at International Trade Show in New York City

Granville County, NC —Over the course of four action-packed days filled with innovation, competition, and global collaboration, 32 students from all three Granville County Public High Schools—JF Webb High School, South Granville High School (SGHS), and Granville Central High School (GCHS)—embarked on an unforgettable journey to New York City to take part in the 2025 Virtual Enterprise Youth Business Summit, hosted at the iconic Javits Center.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allowed students to engage in an international trade show and three prestigious competitions: the Global Innovation Challenge, the Personal Finance Literacy Challenge, and the National Marketing Competition. Representing Granville County with professionalism, skill, and creativity, these students were nothing short of impressive.

In the Global Innovation Challenge, GCPS students collaborated with peers from Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Indonesia, Romania, South Korea, and across the United States to solve a real-world sustainability challenge for Ørsted, a global leader in wind energy. Students were randomly grouped into international teams to brainstorm and pitch solutions.

Granville students selected for this elite competition included:

• JF Webb: Jayda Kufahl and Madison Ragland
   
• SGHS: Alton Graham and Jayden Ewing
   
• GCHS: Eleni Servin Rendon, Aijia Holloway, and Michelle Romero
   

All three GCPS high schools had students whose teams ranked in the Top 7 out of 35, advancing to the second round of the competition—a massive accomplishment on the international stage. Jayden Ewing of SGHS went even further, placing 3rd overall in the final round, marking a proud moment for both his school and district.

In the Personal Finance Literacy Challenge, GCPS students displayed strong understanding and critical thinking skills. Representing JF Webb were Claudio Cheluca, Stephany Percastre, Tyler Holley, and Jennifer Arenas Carlos, who, although not advancing, demonstrated professionalism and GCPS pride. SGHS students Nick Dietrich and Andrew Easow also represented the district with confidence and effort in the national Marketing Competition.

At the International Trade Show, GCPS firms interacted with student businesses from around the globe, showcasing their products, marketing strategies, and sales skills. The energy was electric as booths buzzed with business deals and cultural exchanges.

Highlighting this experience, Azavion Royster of GCHS earned Bronze in the Sales Pitch Competition, standing out among over 200 competitors from around the world—a testament to his poise, clarity, and business acumen.

But the trip wasn’t all business—students also soaked in the sights and sounds of New York City! From visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty to walking the High Line and experiencing the dazzling lights of Times Square, students got a taste of the Big Apple while bonding with their peers.

“This experience was not just about business; it was about connection, culture, and confidence,” said VE Lead Coordinator. “Our students rose to the occasion on a global stage and made Granville County proud.”

The Virtual Enterprise program continues to be a game-changer for GCPS, offering students real-world experiences, leadership development, and college-and-career readiness through hands-on learning.

Granville County Public Schools remains committed to preparing students for a global future—and this unforgettable trip to New York City proves that our students are ready to lead. 

​JF Webb High School thanks the Granville Education Foundation for helping make the 2025 Virtual Enterprise Youth Business Summit possible for our students.

#GCPSProud | #FutureCEOs | #VEtakesNYC

 

 

Granville County Public Schools proudly announces that Jamar Perry was among 39 distinguished school and district leaders across the state to graduate from the ninth cohort of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) Aspiring Superintendents Program.

"The program is designed to support the growth, expansion, and enhancement of school and district leaders in their current roles while providing high-quality professional development to strengthen their knowledge of the skills and dispositions required for future superintendents," said Jack Hoke, Executive Director of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association.

The North Carolina Aspiring Superintendents Program is a highly specialized leadership development initiative tailored for select district leaders who have demonstrated exceptional success in their administrative roles and aspire to the superintendency. Offered through the NCSSA and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development, the program equips future superintendents with technical expertise, leadership strategies for navigating the complexities of the role, and contemporary skills essential for 21st-century educational leadership. Participants engage in multiple face-to-face leadership development sessions and benefit from an embedded Executive Coaching component with proven leaders in the field. To date, 52 alumni from the program’s first eight cohorts have been appointed to superintendencies across North Carolina.

Reflecting on Perry’s participation, Hoke remarked, “Mr. Perry cultivated a strong network of district leaders and actively contributed to discussions on emerging challenges, innovative practices, and strategic solutions impacting Granville County Public Schools.”

Mr. Perry shared his appreciation for the Aspiring Superintendents Program, stating, “I was honored to participate in the Aspiring Superintendents Program. The experience supported my growth as a leader and allowed me to collaborate with passionate educators from across the state. I gained valuable insights to help advance student success and strengthen our organization.”

Superintendent Winborne offered these comments, “Mr. Perry is a strong visionary leader who cares deeply about students. I am very proud of his work and commitment to GCPS. He has a bright future ahead of him serving public education.”

Last week, J.F. Webb High School hosted the FFA Kerr Federation Event! We are incredibly proud of the Granville Central, J.F. Webb, and South Granville FFA chapters for their outstanding performances!

J.F. Webb FFA Chapter:

- Tool Identification: 1st Place – Team members: Sydney Gates, Will Brame, and Kolik Holmes (Kolik tied with a student from Person High for the highest overall score).

- Extemporaneous Public Speaking: 4th Place – Lola Dunlap (Advancing to the Regional Competition on March 19th).

Granville Central FFA Chapter:

- Employability Skills: 1st Place – Noel Olinger.

- Prepared Public Speaking: 1st Place – Samah Aldiri.

- Extemporaneous Public Speaking: 3rd Place – Brayden Julian.

South Granville FFA Chapter:

- Creed: 2nd Place – Kirson Lavrack.

- Extemporaneous Public Speaking: 2nd Place – Madison Thomorson.

- Tool Identification: 3rd Place (will move on to states) – Team members: Brandon Preddy, Benjamin Carroll, and Kirson Lavrack.

Congratulations to all participants!