Once known as the Old Junior High, the newly named Student Success Center (SSC) was the most recent construction project to take place in Mount Airy City Schools (MACS). Thanks to the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund grant, submitted by previous Superintendent Dr. Kim Morrison, students in Mount Airy have more space to accommodate the expanded Career and Technical Education offerings.
A local graduation requirement in the district requires all students to be a CTE or arts concentrator, in which they choose a workforce development pathway. These pathways align with the job market needs in the region, as well as cater to students' interests in specific careers. As MAHS has expanded its workforce development offerings, enrollment and interest have increased, making the first floor of the building the ideal site for new programs such as Esports, Robotics, Project Lead the Way Aerospace Engineering, Agriculture, and more.
“The Student Success Center represents both our history and our future- it’s where a 1959 building meets 2025 opportunities,” said Superintendent Phillip Brown. “This space connects high school, college, and community, creating new pathways for students to grow and achieve.” Brown added, “Together, we’re creating successful learners, one partnership and one student at a time.”
While the grant covered first-floor renovations, the building’s second floor has received a facelift and infrastructure boost thanks to Surry Community College (SCC). The college will now have classrooms on MAHS’s campus to serve local high school students taking Career and College Promise courses during the day and evening courses for SCC students.
President Dr. David Shockley shared, “Surry Community College is proud to partner with Mount Airy City Schools in this transformative initiative. The Student Success Center is more than a renovated space- it’s a launchpad for opportunity. By bringing college-level instruction directly to high school students, we’re helping them take meaningful steps toward their academic and career goals while strengthening the region’s workforce. This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to student success and community advancement.”
Superintendent Dr. Phillip Brown, MAHS Principal Jason Dorsett, former Mount Airy Junior High Principal David Long, and Chief Operations Officer Emily Hardy spoke before the crowd, sharing a glimpse into the building's history and a peek into its future. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a tour led by students and staff took place while the Blue Bear Cafe was on site to provide refreshments.
The building will be open for MAHS and SCC classes starting in January 2026, coinciding with the beginning of the spring semester. The refinished gym is open now for basketball and wrestling teams as the winter sports season begins practices.