RISE and Shine: How a Southeast Raleigh Charter School is Leading with Purpose
At RISE Charter School, excellence isn’t just a goal, it’s a standard. Located in Southeast Raleigh, this dynamic K–8 public charter school is making headlines for all the right reasons, recently securing its place among the top-performing schools in North Carolina for academic growth. Some of the school’s accolades include:
#2 out of 207 charter schools statewide
#2 out of 48 Johnston County public schools
#10 out of 196 Wake County public schools
#36 out of 2,593 public schools across the state
In Wake County, around 56 percent of middle schoolers read at grade level and 53 percent reach proficiency in math, which highlights the urgency of RISE’s growth model. Their recent top‑10 Wake County ranking isn’t just impressive, it’s essential. But behind these record-breaking results is something deeper: a story of vision, intentionality, and bold investment in leadership.
Founded in 2015 with a mission to elevate academic outcomes for scholars in Southeast Raleigh, RISE became an independent nonprofit charter school in 2020 and hasn’t looked back. From the start, the school has combined rigorous academics with character development and self-discovery, creating an environment where every scholar is known, valued, and empowered to lead.
In 2024, RISE applied to Great Schools North Carolina (GSNC) for targeted support through their School Quality Cohort grant, specifically to strengthen its leadership infrastructure. GSNC, a statewide organization dedicated to removing barriers for public charter schools, was excited to help. The partnership quickly delivered results.
With a strategic grant from GSNC, RISE welcomed a new Assistant Principal who has already begun participating in a specialized leadership training series focused on role readiness and teacher development. The school’s Executive Director, Principal, and Director of Operations are also receiving ongoing coaching and leadership support.
RISE used their support from GSNC to invest in their leadership team which will be instrumental in the coming school year as leaders continue to benefit from both individual coaching and cohort-based professional development designed to ensure sustainability and impact.
“We’ve always believed that great schools are built by strong leaders,” says Dawn Arthur, Executive Director of RISE Charter School. “Thanks to the partnership with GSNC, we’ve been able to invest deeply in our leadership team, creating the conditions for great teaching and, most importantly, great learning.”
The school’s results speak volumes, but numbers only tell part of the story. What sets RISE apart is its unwavering belief in each child’s potential and its holistic approach to growth. Scholars receive personalized academic support, enrichment through arts and athletics, and real-world leadership experiences designed to prepare them not just for the next grade level, but for life.
As the demand for high-quality public education options continues to grow across North Carolina, schools like RISE are proving what’s possible. With an empowered team, clear vision, and strong community partnerships, they’re not just preparing students to succeed; they’re preparing them to lead.
And at RISE, that’s exactly what scholars do. They rise.