Both of Norton City’s schools — Norton Elementary and J.I. Burton High School — reached 100 percent progress on their social-emotional learning goals in the first quarter, the result of a Community Schools investment in calming spaces, expanded counseling, and access to community-based mental health providers at both buildings. Seventy-nine students receive targeted support, 47
Student Support Branch: Emotional & Mental Health
Many students experience challenges that impact their emotional well-being and readiness to learn. Community Schools provide mental and behavioral health supports through school-based staff and embedded providers, alongside partnerships with community organizations. Supports may include individual counseling, small group interventions, and schoolwide efforts to build awareness and strengthen staff capacity. Together, these approaches create a supportive environment that fosters trust, connection, and student well-being.
Dickenson County
In Dickenson County, the challenge that shapes every part of the Community Schools work is distance to mental health providers and community services, and the division’s three Ridgeview schools operate as a unified system to close it. The Health Wagon mobile clinic brings preventive healthcare directly to school sites. Social-emotional learning programming starts in kindergarten
Carroll County
Carroll County brought twenty years of experience partnering with its local community to the Community Schools work. Through the Community Schools grant, the division formalized that work, adding a dedicated coordinator hired from the local community and expanding existing partnerships. A community advisory board with parent voice guides the work across eight schools, which centers
