Co-Creating a Community School at A.C. Reynolds Middle

Co-Creating a Community School at A.C. Reynolds Middle

We’re excited to announce our partnership with A.C. Reynolds Middle School as Buncombe County’s newest Community School. Similar to our work in Asheville, Erwin, Enka, and Owen Middle Schools, our focus is in organizing resources that support the health, education and financial stability of the whole family and neighboring community by co-creating a hub of supportive services that address the needs of the community. Working side by side, students, families and community members, identify gaps and create partnerships to help fill and address critical needs, empowering and uplifting student, parent and community voices in the process.

Meet Corry Hyde, Community School Coordinator at A.C. Reynolds Middle

We’re excited to welcome the newest addition to both the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County and A.C. Reynolds Middle community, Corry Hyde. Corry joins us as a native of Shelby, North Carolina, who has called Asheville home for the past eight years. He served as the Program Director for the ‘Changing Together program’ with SPARC Foundation, is actively involved in the work of the Racial Justice Coalition as well as Children First/Communities In School's Success Equation, and has two children in the Reynolds school district.

“I'm excited about implementing the community school strategy at Reynolds Middle School,” he shares. “This is going to be a very unusual school year for our students, and it's important for them to feel as connected as possible to their teachers, school, and community.” This school year, he will be focused on relationship building within the Reynolds Middle School district alongside community partners, including businesses, families, parents, school staff, faith-based organizations in the community, nonprofits, and more. These supportive relationships will help form the Reynolds Resource Team, a space for the school and community to check in, provide feedback, and help direct the Community School strategy needed to support our young Rockets and their families within the district.

Working Together Through a Challenging School Year

When he isn’t working, Corry is hiking, playing with his kids outside, or grilling (and in any weather he adds). He wants Reynolds Middle students to know that he’s looking forward to meeting them and working together to make this school year the best that it can be despite the challenges. We’ll keep you updated on the Rocket community and ways that you can get involved as the school year continues. For now, join us in welcoming The Rockets to our Community School family! And if you’re not familiar, we invite you to learn more about the nation-wide Community Schools movement here. And if you’re able, please donate to support the work of Community Schools in partnership with Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools.