Rebuilding Trust and Culture Across a Charter School Network Through Leadership, Literacy, and $1.2M in Support
Project Overview
Bonnie Cone Schools, a charter school network in North Carolina, was grappling with complex internal issues: reputational damage stemming from lawsuits and negative media coverage, leadership instability, low student and family retention, and high disciplinary rates. These challenges created a fractured culture and eroded trust across the community.
Our Approach
The Culture Lab adopted a multi-year, systems-aligned strategy to rebuild the network’s culture, leadership, and reputation. We launched a district-wide service learning initiative that resulted in more than 5,000 student volunteer hours. Our team provided consistent leadership coaching and teacher training grounded in our Contagious Culture model, and we introduced mentorship cohorts for teachers and administrators to build internal leadership capacity. We facilitated strategic board development sessions to improve governance and alignment. At the same time, we cultivated community partnerships and raised over $1.2 million from corporate and foundation donors. To support literacy and student wellness, we led the design and development of three new school libraries, coordinated the donation of more than 18,000 books, and supported scholarship programming.
Results
Bonnie Cone Schools experienced a significant cultural transformation. More than 400 students participated in meaningful service learning. Disciplinary referrals dropped significantly, and parental engagement increased across all campuses. Academic achievement rose, staff morale improved, and retention stabilized. The network also strengthened its donor pipeline and diversified its funding streams. Most importantly, trust was restored with the broader community, positioning Bonnie Cone Schools for long-term success and sustainability.
