If you’ve watched your child struggle in a one-size-fits-all classroom, you already know the system wasn’t designed with their unique strengths in mind. You’re not imagining things—and you’re not alone. A new initiative in Salisbury, North Carolina is pushing for something different: a micro-magnet public-private partnership that could change how we think about education for families who need more than the traditional model provides.
Board Approves Exploration of Micro-Magnet Partnership
The Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board of Education has approved continued exploration of the Price-Duncan Scholars Academy, a proposed micro-magnet school that would combine public funding with private community support. The initiative, led by community advocates Christina Rary, Willie Edley, and Dyke Messinger, received the green light to develop a memorandum of understanding with the district.
The proposed school would begin with kindergarten and first grade, creating a small learning environment focused on personalized, competency-based instruction. Unlike traditional schools, this model includes wraparound services for entire families—recognizing that a child’s success is deeply connected to their family’s stability and resources.
A new micro-magnet school in Salisbury proposes personalized learning + wraparound family services. Could this be the innovation struggling families have been waiting for?
Personalized Learning Meets Community Support
The vision behind the Price-Duncan Scholars Academy centers on what organizers call “an ecosystem of support and success.” Rather than expecting children to fit into a predetermined mold, the approach meets students where they are and builds on their individual strengths.
“It is abundantly clear that our children have all kinds of abilities and challenges,” said Willie Edley, community and educational advocate. “Unfortunately, not all of them get the chance to live up to those things because economically there are some issues or other issues at home that they have to deal with.”
The public-private partnership would provide supplemental resources including staff stipends, retention incentives, and additional educational supports—while public per-pupil funding would cover teacher salaries, student meals, and core technology. Organizers estimate they would need approximately $500,000 annually in outside donations for the first three years.
Quote: It is abundantly clear that our children have all kinds of abilities and challenges. Unfortunately, not all of them get the chance to live up to those things because economically there are some issues or other issues at home that they have to deal with. Attribution: Willie Edley, Community and Educational Advocate
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Why This Model Matters for Families
What makes this approach potentially transformative is its recognition that learning differences aren’t weaknesses to accommodate—they’re starting points to build from. Personalized, competency-based learning means children progress based on demonstrated mastery, not age-based grades. This aligns with what neuroscience tells us: every brain is capable of remarkable growth when given the right support.
The model also emphasizes strong relationships between educators, students, and families—a critical factor in student success. Expanded learning time with built-in intervention and enrichment addresses both struggles and strengths simultaneously. And the wraparound services could include healthcare access, career services, and community resources that help whole families thrive.
Superintendent Dr. Kelly Withers sees this as an opportunity to flex the district’s unique renewal status, granted in 2018. “This is a real example of looking at a different model of education,” she said. “If we continue to think of education the way we always have, doing it the way we have always done it, we will find ourselves similar to Blockbuster, asking people to rent movies off the shelf knowing that Netflix is there.”
Key takeaways
- Micro-Magnet School Approved: Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board approved continued exploration of a public-private partnership school starting with K-1.
- Personalized Learning Focus: The model uses competency-based learning with individualized plans, strong educator-family relationships, and wraparound family services.
- Innovation in Education: The district's unique renewal status allows flexibility to try new educational models that could better serve struggling families.
What Comes Next
The vote signals to the exploratory group that they should continue developing their proposal, researching the model, and exploring next steps. Not all stakeholders are entirely on board—Erica Yost, president of the Rowan Salisbury Association of Educators, expressed concerns about blurring lines between public and private education and whether resources might be better directed to existing schools.
What this debate reveals is something larger: families are hungry for options that actually work for their children. Whether this particular model succeeds or not, the conversation itself represents a growing recognition that innovation in education isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for families who’ve been underserved by traditional approaches.
Watch for developments in the coming months as the group refines its proposal and seeks the community partnerships that will make this vision reality.
Quote: This is a real example of looking at a different model of education. If we continue to think of education the way we always have, doing it the way we have always done it, we will find ourselves similar to Blockbuster. Attribution: Dr. Kelly Withers, Rowan-Salisbury Schools Superintendent
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Every child deserves an education that works for them—not a system that expects them to fit a predetermined mold. The Price-Duncan Scholars Academy represents exactly the kind of innovation families have been asking for: personalized learning that recognizes children’s strengths, wraparound support that helps whole families thrive, and the courage to try something different.
The system that labels rather than develops has failed too many children for too long. When communities step up to create solutions that actually work, we should pay attention.
If you’re ready to explore approaches that meet your child where they are and build from there, the Learning Success All Access Program offers a free trial that includes a personalized Action Plan—and you keep that plan even if you decide it’s not the right fit.
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References
- Salisbury Post - RSS green lights micro-magnet school's continued planning
