Breaking Barriers in Rural Education: The Sledge Institute’s Journey from Vision to Reality

It all started with one question: “Wouldn’t it be cool if…?”

For Dr. Chandra Sledge Mathias, that question wasn’t just a passing thought. It was the spark that ignited a bold, years-long journey to reimagine what school could be. That journey has led to the creation of The Sledge Institute, a K–12 public charter school opening in Vance County, North Carolina, in August 2025. This innovative school will serve the rural Kerr-Tar region with a learning experience as ambitious as it is rooted in community.

This year, Great Schools North Carolina awarded The Sledge Institute a $250,000 Startup Grant to support its launch. Beyond just funding, this grant is a partnership that provides two years of coaching, technical assistance, and access to a network of education leaders across the state. This support has been instrumental in making the Fall 2025 opening possible, helping the school secure the resources, staffing, and readiness needed to welcome its first students.

Dr. Sledge Mathias says, "I am extremely grateful for my partnership with GSNC. Working with them strengthened my confidence as a leader and prepared me for my school’s launch. I am excited to continue that growth during the second year of my Startup Grant while my staff and I welcome Vance County families to the Sledge Institute!"

The idea for The Sledge Institute began in 2009, when, in her second year as a principal, Dr. Chandra Sledge Mathias was asked if she had ever thought about starting a charter school. At the time, she laughed at the idea, but the question stayed with her. Over a career that took her across the country and around the world, she saw schools doing extraordinary things and began imagining how to bring the best of those practices home. When the pandemic created a pause, she turned ideas into action by bringing together educators, families, community leaders, and students to design a school built on four core values: Excellence, Community, Heart, and Opportunity.

Opening a new school is no small feat, especially in rural communities where resources can be limited. But the Sledge Institute is proof of what is possible when vision meets persistence and when leaders are given the resources and support to turn bold ideas into thriving schools.

For the Kerr-Tar region, August 2025 will mark more than the start of a new school year. It will be the beginning of a movement to break barriers, empower minds, and create new futures for students.

Great Schools North Carolina is proud to support The Sledge Institute’s launch and looks forward to seeing its students lead, create, and inspire for years to come.