Early college earns Peer Group Connection certification

Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School has been recognized by the Center for Supportive Schools as a certified Peer Group Connection Program school.

This prestigious designation signifies that the school has demonstrated exemplary performance in implementing the PGC program with the highest quality and fidelity, according to a Nash County Public Schools news release.

The certification process includes accreditation for the school, program advisers and student peer leaders.

“This is a tremendous honor and reflects highly on our exceptional staff facilitators (Mrs. Diane Renck, Mrs. Jasmine Wilson and Mrs. Tabitha Edwards) and scholars,” said Thomas McGeachy, the early college high school principal. “A site visit was conducted by the regional program manager of the Center for Supported Schools, and we were one of three schools in the Southern Region to receive a gold certification. The PGC program has proven successful in providing mentoring for our freshmen while also developing leadership skills in our upperclassmen.”

Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School is one of three schools in the Southern Region to receive gold-level certification this year. Peer Group Connection – High School is a peer leadership program that’s been in place at Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School since the 2023-24 school year.

“NCPS is incredibly proud of our students and staff for achieving this milestone. This certification demonstrates their dedication and the positive impact they have on our school community,” said Heather Louise Finch, NCPS spokesperson.

The program supports students’ transitions from middle to high school by leveraging high school juniors’ and seniors’ leadership. These students, enrolled in the PGC-HS daily for-credit course, develop leadership skills and conduct weekly outreach sessions with their peers and parents.

In addition to the school’s certification, Diane Renck, Jasmine Wilson and Tabitha Edwards have received the certified faculty adviser designation. The school also nominated students who met all training requirements, earned no less than a “B” in the Peer Group Connection class and adhered to the Peer Group Connection Code of Ethics to become certified Peer Group Connection peer leaders.

This year, the following students received this designation:

• Demone Frazier Jr.

• Zamya Garner

• Abbi Greene

• Alyssa Hasan

• Allie Hawley

• Malaak Hizam

• Jamion Johnson

• Janiya Moore

• Destiny Parker

• Sebastian Perez Hernandez

• Mackenzie Pitt

• Sarah Ponzini

• Carsyn Roughton

• A’sasha Silver

• Destiny Smith

• Kailynn Whitehead

Peer Group Connection – High School is an evidence-based program designed to support and ease students’ successful transition from middle to high school. Once per week, pairs of junior and senior peer leaders meet with groups of 10-14 ninth graders in outreach sessions designed to strengthen relationships among students across grades. These peer leaders are simultaneously enrolled in a daily, for-credit leadership course taught by school faculty during regular school hours.

PGC has been implemented in more than 175 high schools since 1979. More information about CSS and Peer Group Connection can be found at www.supportiveschools.org .

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