In North Carolina, nearly three of 10 students do not graduate high school. While the state's graduation rate did increase in 2009, to 71.7% according to the State Board of Education, State Superintendent June Atkinson stated, "I will not rest until North Carolina's graduation rate moves to 100 percent." In the Triangle area of North Carolina, at least, the Superintendent is going to get some help in meeting that goal. In UNC-TV’s original production High Five: Achieving the Dream, premiering Monday, February 1, at 9 PM, see what happens when five business leaders commit $2.5 million over five years to help improve the drop out rate in five North Carolina schools.

n April 2004, five major Triangle business leaders and public school systems (Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Durham Public Schools, Johnston County Schools, Orange County Schools and Wake County Schools) created a unique public/private school reform initiative designed to increase the number of graduates, reduce the dropout rate and better prepare students for successful lives after high school.

Entitled "High Five: Regional Partnership for High School Excellence, the five-year, $2.5 million project represents the first collaborative venture for five major public school systems in central North Carolina. Their lofty ambition seeks to achieve a 100% high school graduation rate by 2013.

Designed to support and enhance public high school performance by developing a regional approach in sharing best practices, the High Five partnership also facilitates collaboration between school districts, colleges and universities as well as identifies new ways to reach at-risk students and broaden community support.

Produced by Beth Wilder, High Five: Achieving the Dream profiles this pioneering professional learning community initiative and examines how the Triangle High Five Regional Partnership works to improve public education in Triangle area schools.

High Five: Achieving the Dream is a production of UNC-TV in association with The Goodnight Educational Foundation. Visit www.unctv.org/highfive for additional information and resources.

UNC-TV, North Carolina's statewide public television network, provides life-changing television services for viewers of all ages. In addition to flagship channel UNC-TV, broadcasting in high-definition, other services include UNC-EX The Explorer Channel, as well as UNC-KD, a channel just for kids, and UNC-MX, a cable-only channel featuring a mix of programming for adults, from public affairs shows to how-to and more. Visit www.unctv.org for more information about programs and services offered by UNC-TV.

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