Public Schools in Surry County, NC, Lead the State in Career Readiness

Courtesy of Surry County Schools

In Surry County, the three public school systems – Surry County Schools, Mount Airy City Schools and Elkin City Schools – help shape young adults ready to meet the demands of an increasingly technical and global economy. By investing in innovative career and technical education (CTE) programs and collaborating with the local business community, higher education institutions and one another, these districts ensure that public schools in Surry County, NC, graduate students with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in a competitive job market.

Courtesy of Surry County Schools

Top of Their Class: Innovative Districts and Academic Honors

Surry County Schools boasts an expansive menu of CTE offerings. Students have access to hands-on learning opportunities in high-growth fields such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare and information technology, preparing them for high-demand regional careers.

Meanwhile, students in Mount Airy City Schools have access to SparkNC, a cutting-edge program that introduces them to high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. The district is consistently recognized as one of the top 10 public school districts in the state, and Mount Airy High School was named a 2025 AP School Honor Roll Gold recipient for its exceptional student performance on advanced placement exams.

With its smaller size, Elkin City Schools is uniquely positioned to deliver a highly personalized educational experience that connects students directly to local workforce opportunities. Dual enrollment through the North Carolina Career & College Promise (CCP) program allows high school students to earn free college credits and certifications simultaneously, giving them a head start on their future careers.

All three school districts partner with Surry-Yadkin Works, a groundbreaking program that actively engages students in career development through exploration programs, job shadowing, pre-apprenticeships and formal apprenticeships with local employers.

Courtesy of Surry County Schools

A Powerful Partnership for Local Workforce Development

“What makes this partnership especially unique is the level of shared leadership. All three superintendents serve on the executive board of Surry-Yadkin Works, giving them direct input into program design, guidance and structure,” says Crystal Folger-Hawks, executive director of Surry-Yadkin Works.

That alignment allows education, business and community partners to stay closely connected and focused on a shared goal – preparing students for success beyond high school.

The program brings together public schools, regional businesses and Surry Community College to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled talent for growing local industries. Since its inception, the program has served 1,000 high school and adult students who earn both classroom credit and professional credentials, as well as a steady paycheck for their training.

Surry-Yadkin Works

“We’ve seen students discover career paths they hadn’t previously considered and transition directly into employment or registered apprenticeships after graduation. Across all industries, we consistently see students earning credentials, gaining clarity about their future and building a strong foundation for long-term success,” Folger-Hawks says.

One example she cites is of a student who started the program as a certified nursing assistant pre-apprentice in high school, then continued as an apprentice while attending Surry Community College to become a registered nurse.

“By the time they graduated, they had four years of real-world experience and were promoted to charge nurse within six months,” Folger-Hawks says. “That kind of trajectory shows the true power of these experiences. Students aren’t just prepared; they’re confident and ready to contribute on day one of full-time employment.”

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

Driving Long-Term Career Readiness

Surry-Yadkin Works partners with more than 200 businesses across Surry and Yadkin counties, representing a wide range of industries, from manufacturing, education and construction to public safety and skilled trades.

“We couldn’t do it without our business and industry partners,” says David Shockley, president of Surry Community College. “Their collaboration creates an enriching learning environment for our students by bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. In academia, we often teach in labs, simulating real-world scenarios as best we can, but there’s nothing like experiencing it firsthand.”

Through pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and internships, students gain not only technical expertise but also critical soft skills. Troubleshooting real-life problems on a job site, interacting with equipment and learning to navigate client relationships are all skills students will need to succeed, Shockley says.

Folger-Hawks says hands-on training is at the heart of the program’s success.

“Our primary role is to ensure students don’t just learn about careers, but they actively engage in them, gaining the skills, habits and confidence needed to succeed in the workforce,” she says. “At the same time, this creates a mutual benefit for our local economy, allowing businesses in a rural community to build a strong, sustainable talent pipeline by investing in and developing their future workforce early.”