A major federal grant will fuel the growth of NC’s charter schools

A major federal grant will fuel the growth of NC’s charter schools

Opinion | Raleigh News & Observer

By Rhonda Dillingham | April 8, 2026

North Carolina is marking 30 years of public charter schools with a milestone that could shape the next 30. The N.C. Association for Public Charter Schools was recently awarded a $52.9 million federal grant, the largest investment of federal funds in charter schools in state history.

It arrives at a pivotal moment, as families seek more options, employers demand new skills, and educators work to prepare students for a rapidly changing economy. 

But the real story is not the size of the grant. It is what it makes possible for students. 

At its core, the NC GROW grant program will ensure that more North Carolina students, regardless of zip code or personal circumstances, have access to education that meets them where they are and helps them succeed. 

NC GROW will expand access to high-quality public charter schools, strengthen existing schools, and support innovative programs that prepare students for the future. 

This investment, the first of its kind awarded to a nonprofit in North Carolina, builds on the N.C. Association for Public Charter Schools’ work to expand access to high-quality charter schools and strengthen the sector through advocacy, support, and technical assistance. 

Over the next five years, NC GROW will award 42 subgrants to open new schools, expand high-performing ones, and replicate successful models. These schools will prioritize programs in career and technical education, STEM, and artificial intelligence, fields already shaping North Carolina’s workforce and economy.

Andrew Harris, CEO of the Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies in Elizabeth City, said the grant “signals that North Carolina is serious about building the workforce pipeline where it’s needed most” and highlights how charter schools can connect students directly to in-demand industries. 

Durham Charter School Superintendent Alex Quigley said the grant reflects growing confidence in North Carolina’s charter sector. Quigley, who served eight years on the North Carolina Charter School Advisory Board, added it “provides much-needed capital for schools to reach thousands more students while reinforcing the original purpose of charter schools to drive genuine innovation in education.” 

The need is clear. North Carolina continues to rank among the top states for business, yet employers face growing challenges in finding workers with the right skills. At the same time, students and families are seeking pathways that connect learning to real opportunities. 

This investment helps close that gap while strengthening the foundation of charter schools. Through governance, financial support and technical assistance, NC GROW is designed to ensure that schools are built to last. 

For charter school leaders, this is a call to action. Every charter school in North Carolina is eligible to apply through a transparent, competitive process. This is a rare opportunity to grow and better serve students. 

For parents, it reinforces the value of charter schools in our public education system. For 30 years, charter schools have provided families with high-quality options and innovative approaches tailored to student needs. This investment builds on that legacy and expands access for the next generation.

For policymakers, it underscores something equally important. Federal investments like this help accelerate progress, but they cannot replace sustained state support. 

North Carolina’s commitment to public education has supported the growth of high-performing charter schools from the mountains to the coast. Continued investment in school support systems, programming, and workforce development remains essential to meeting demand and maintaining quality. 

This federal grant provides momentum. State leadership must ensure that momentum continues. 

At its heart, this moment is about students. Students who need schools that prepare them not only for graduation, but for careers, and who benefit from hands-on learning, real-world skills, flexible environments and strong academic foundations. 

The opportunity in front of us is clear. 

Thirty years ago, North Carolina made a bold decision to expand educational opportunity through charter schools. Today, we have an opportunity to build on that vision and ensure the next generation of North Carolina students is prepared to lead, innovate, and succeed.

Rhonda Dillingham is Executive Director of the NC Association for Public Charter Schools, the largest charter school membership organization in the state that supports, advocates and educates on behalf of the charter school community.