Sledge Institute

What’s better than a sunny spring day? Spending it learning from passionate educators who get it. Today, Chandra Sledge Mathias, Ed.D & Keesha Landis, Ed.D took a road trip to Charlotte to visit our amazing colleagues at Pioneer Springs Community School—a connection made through Great Schools North Carolina! From the moment we met the Pioneer Springs team, we knew we had to keep the conversation going. Big thanks to Great Schools NC for bringing lifelong learners together. This visit reminded us: collaboration isn’t just a value, it’s a superpower. #SledgeInstitute?? #PioneerSpringsCommunitySchool #GreatSchoolsNC #LifelongLearners #RadicalCollaboration #CharterSchoolLove #NCCharterSchools #EducatorsInAction

Tonight, our Founder & CEO, Chandra Sledge Mathias, Ed.D had the honor of speaking at the Henderson Rotary Club meeting to share the mission, vision, and bold future of Sledge Institute. We’re grateful for the warm welcome and the opportunity to connect with such dedicated community leaders. Thank you, Henderson Rotary Club, for your commitment to service and support of education in our region! #SledgeInstitute #RootedInCommunity #EducationMatters #HendersonNC

Welcome to the Sledge Institute family, Jared Mack! We’re thrilled to have Mr. Mack join us as our Executive and Operational Support Associate! From day one, Sledge Institute has been about creating a school where kids feel seen, heard, and valued—not just for their academic success, but for who they are as people. Mr. Mack gets that on a deep level. Reflecting on his own time as a student, he shared: “As a kid, I wanted a school that allowed me to be expressive. I was a dreamer who believed in friendship, and I just wanted a school where I belonged. That’s what I hope for Sledge Institute. I hope it gives children a place to not only gain a great education but a place where they can express themselves freely. I want Sledge Institute to be a place where children feel like they can be themselves and they can contribute to building a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging!” Mr. Mack, we’re here for exactly that—to build something different, something better. A school where every student finds their people, their purpose, and their power. We’re so glad you’re part of this work. Let’s goooo! #SledgeInstitute?? #OurPeople #WhereYouBelong

?? We're Hiring! ?? Sledge Institute is looking for bold, innovative, and passionate educators to join our founding team! ?? If you believe in hands-on, real-world learning, thrive in a collaborative, start-up environment, and are ready to redefine education in Vance and surrounding counties in the Kerr-Tar region, we want to hear from you! ?? Positions Available: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, & 6th Grade Teachers??? Start Date: July 1, 2025 (with planning & development sessions this spring) ?? Our Six Key Elements:?? Project-Based Learning?? Place-Based Education?? Global Education?? Competency-Based Learning?? Postsecondary Readiness?? All-Inclusive Wellness At Sledge Institute, learning is student-driven, engaging, and connected to the world. Our teachers are designers, mentors, and changemakers—are you ready to build something extraordinary? ?? Apply now: https://lnkd.in/dUT8z384 Questions? Contact us at [email protected] Tag an amazing educator who should be part of our team! ?? #Hiring #EducationJobs #FoundingTeachers #ProjectBasedLearning #CompetencyBasedEducation #SledgeInstitute??

We are excited to announce that Sledge Institute was recently awarded a grant from Great Schools North Carolina! This funding will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our mission to empower students in rural Vance County and the Kerr-Tar region through innovative, student-centered learning. With this generous support, we will be able to strengthen our commitment to project-based learning, place-based education, global education, competency-based instruction, postsecondary readiness, and all-inclusive wellness, ensuring that our students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world, and ultimately transforming outcomes for our students and families. A heartfelt thank-you to Great Schools NC for their commitment to empowering charter schools across North Carolina. We are honored to partner with an organization that shares our dedication to expanding access to high-quality public education. We can’t wait to see the positive impact this grant will have on our students, staff, and community. Stay tuned for updates as we put these funds to work! Congrats to the other grantees! We’re excited to learn alongside these schools.

Thank you WIZS: Your Community Voice for having our CEO, Chandra Sledge Mathias, Ed.D and Board President, Wykia Macon, Ph.D. on this morning to talk about Sledge Institute. Great way to wrap up the year! https://lnkd.in/eHHtBw5F

Join our team!

"A Resurgence in Rural Innovation With more students leaving urban centers, there’s a renewed focus on ensuring rural communities have great schools and access to economic opportunities. We’re seeing creative approaches in rural education that address the unique challenges and incredible potential of these communities. Schools like?Namahana School?in Hawaii and?Sledge Institute?in North Carolina are designing models rooted in competency-based learning and career-focused programs aligned with local industries like agriculture and advanced manufacturing to prepare students for high-demand jobs. Beyond academics, rural schools are becoming hubs for critical services like mental health support, food security, and healthcare. These partnerships aren’t an afterthought — they’re being built into the design of schools from the very beginning. In some cases, nonprofit organizations are leading the way by pooling resources and talent across districts and creating shared models that bring robust career and technical education (CTE) pathways to life. These efforts show how constraints can spark innovation." We're committed to doing the work to enhance rural school options and opportunities for youth. Read more about how NewSchools is supporting schools and organizations dedicated to responding to young people's calls for changes in their educational experiences. https://lnkd.in/dRsx5fiE

?? Meet Ashley Dundas, a dynamic school principal, lifelong educator, and proud Sledge Institute board member! From childhood, Ashley’s passion for teaching and learning has been clear. As an avid reader, she loved playing school and teaching her cousins to read (even if she enjoyed it way more than they did!). It’s no surprise she always knew she’d become an educator, and now she’s bringing that same energy and vision to Sledge Institute. ??? Ashley’s heart is with our youngest learners, and as a true champion for kindergarten, she’s already brainstorming exciting, hands-on experiences to inspire curiosity, creativity, and joy. She believes that kindergarten is where it all begins—a place to spark a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. ???? Her hope for Sledge Institute students? That they embrace their inner strengths and use them to amplify the unique gifts they’re meant to share with the world. With Ashley’s leadership and vision, our kindergarten program will be a launchpad for students to explore, grow, and shine as their best selves. ?? ?? Applications are open for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 6th grades! Scan the QR code to access the application. ??? Enroll today and give your child the foundation to discover their strengths, embrace their gifts, and begin a lifelong journey of learning and leadership!

?? FAQ: Does Sledge Institute provide transportation? Yes! Sledge Institute will offer bus transportation for students in the Kerr-Tar region, ensuring access to our innovative education for families across our community. We’re committed to removing barriers so students can focus on learning and thriving! ???? #SledgeInstitute #Transportation #EducationAccess #KerrTarRegion