Lottery funds help open new schools across Eastern Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. — Students in several Eastern Carolina communities are starting the new school year in brand-new classrooms, thanks in part to North Carolina Education Lottery funding.

In Snow Hill, Greene Central High School has opened to replace a 65-year-old building. The new campus received $50 million in lottery proceeds.

“You may not have won a jackpot — but you did help to build a high school,” Greene County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rodney McNeill said, thanking lottery players for their support.

Other new or expanded lottery-funded school projects across Eastern North Carolina include:

• A combined middle and high school campus in Pamlico County, supported by $50.5 million.
• A $15 million expansion of Bertie High School’s Career and Technical Education Center.
• A new pre-K through eighth-grade Eastman Leadership Academy in Halifax County, funded with $48 million.
• A new Washington Elementary School in Beaufort County, serving pre-K through third grade students with help from a $42 million grant.

Statewide, students are also entering new schools in Perquimans, Robeson, Hoke, Edenton-Chowan and other districts.

Lottery dollars support school construction through funding distributed to every district based on enrollment, annual repair and renovation money for every county, and needs-based grants for smaller rural counties with major building needs.

More than 20 other lottery-funded construction projects are underway statewide.

The North Carolina Education Lottery says it is estimated to have raised more than $1 billion for education during fiscal year 2026 — its fourth straight year topping that mark. Since the lottery began in 2006, its proceeds have helped build or renovate more than 100 schools across the state.

Lottery proceeds also support NC Pre-K, school staff and transportation, as well as college scholarships.