Empowering Communities through Education
Join us for workshops and programs that inspire growth and connection.
About TESS of NC
Our Mission
At TESS of North Carolina, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for our community members. We strive to provide accessible educational resources and recreational activities that foster growth and development.
Our Vision
To build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community in and around Princeton, North Carolina.
A stronger community
This speaks to the lasting impact and resilience that TESS hopes to build.
- Educational empowerment: By focusing on youth education, TESS is investing in the next generation of community leaders and ensuring a brighter future for the entire area. TESS programs for adults instill a mindset of continuous learning, which helps the community remain adaptable and innovative in a rapidly changing world.
- Economic resilience: Residents and businesses are empowered to thrive economically, and opportunities for entrepreneurship and career growth are .
- Historic preservation: By operating from the historic Princeton Graded School, TESS preserves a community landmark for future generations, instilling local pride and connecting residents with their heritage.
- Organizational sustainability: TESS a stable, long-term provider of services and opportunities, securing its own future so it can consistently support the community.
A healthier community
This emphasizes the holistic well-being of residents, addressing both physical and mental health.
- Educational growth: Through programs that blend learning and fun, residents of all ages have opportunities for intellectual and personal growth.
- Physical well-being: Residents of all ages have access to recreational programs and fitness opportunities that promote active lifestyles.
- Mental and social health: The community center provides a safe, welcoming space for social interaction, helping to combat isolation and foster a strong sense of belonging, which contributes to overall mental health.
A more connected community
This aspect highlights the social impact and networking that TESS fosters.
- Bridging generations: Programs that bring different generations together, such as senior mentoring youth or family events, build understanding and respect across age groups.
- Diverse social networks: TESS creates a space where new and long-term residents can interact, helping to integrate newcomers into the fabric of the community.
- Collaborative partnerships: By actively engaging with other local nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders, TESS helps to weave a stronger, more supportive network of collaboration throughout the area.
By focusing on a stronger, healthier, and more connected community, TESS sets a clear and motivating long-term goal. The elaboration of each of these concepts will be used in fundraising campaigns, marketing materials, and grant applications to explain the deeper impact of our work.
Our Values
1. Education
- What it means: TESS is committed to fostering lifelong learning in a creative and engaging way.
- In action: Providing affordable or free workshops, tutoring for at-risk students, and hands-on learning experiences that are both educational and fun.
2. Community
- What it means: TESS is more than a building; it is a central hub for residents, where relationships are built and sustained.
- In action: Offering inclusive, multigenerational programs; actively seeking community feedback; hosting free public events; and creating a welcoming space where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
3. Heritage
- What it means: TESS honors the legacy of the historic Princeton Graded School by using it as a foundation for a modern community resource.
- In action: Preserving the building's historical character, integrating local history into programs, and using the unique setting to attract and educate visitors about local heritage.
4. Wellness
- What it means: TESS supports the holistic health of the community, encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being.
- In action: Offering low-impact recreational activities for seniors, providing programs that promote social connection, and fostering a safe environment for residents of all ages and abilities.
5. Integrity
- What it means: TESS operates with transparency, honesty, and accountability to build and maintain the trust of its donors, volunteers, and the community it serves.
In action: Publishing an annual report, maintaining clear financial practices, and consistently adhering to the organization's mission and policies.
Key Roles
Key roles and activities
- Educational support: The organization prepares and supports students for higher education.
- Scholarship provider: We offer scholarships to academically successful at-risk students, demonstrating its commitment to educational equity.
- Community hub: In addition to its work with students, the organization serves as a community hub by providing various learning and leisure activities.
- Fundraiser: TESS of North Carolina solicits donations from both corporations and individuals to fund its programs and scholarships.
Youth Activities
Activities
June 2025 - December 2026
Educational and recreational summer programs
As an educational and recreational provider, TESS of North Carolina will offer a diverse range of programs to the Princeton community. While specific offerings will depend on funding and community needs, the following examples illustrate how TESS will integrate education and entertainment within the historic Princeton Graded School.
June 1 - July 30, 2025
- TESS is hosting an 8-week summer program in 2025.
- Social Emotional Learning: 2-hour
Emotions Academy insight into mental health and behavioral balance
Addresses the five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Incorporates physical movement and games for 30 minutes for each 2-hr class.
- Literacy and tutoring:
One-on-one and group tutoring sessions for students who need extra support, and a summer reading program to prevent learning loss or remediation.
- STEM exploration: 3-hours
PropellerHeads
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math programs use interactive, project-based learning to make complex subjects fun and engaging.
- Creative writing: 2-hour (13-17)
PAGES - Princeton Area Guardians of our Echoes and Stories
Taking advantage of the historic school setting, students will be inspired to write stories, plays, or poems and record oral histories and recollections of local residents and archive them into digital diaries.
- Creative arts: 2-hour (13-17)
Name TBD
Taking advantage of the historic school setting, students will be inspired to draw, sketch, paint, and photograph images of the school building and of local alumni of PGS and turn archive them into digital images.
- Historical scavenger hunts: 2-hour
Name TBD
Students will learn about local history and the school's past through interactive, puzzle-solving activities. Students are in constant movement for 20 minutes for each 1-hr class.
- Martial arts
Name TBD
Educational and recreational after school programs
As an educational and recreational provider, TESS of North Carolina will offer a diverse range of programs to the Princeton community. While specific offerings will depend on funding and community needs, the following examples illustrate how TESS will integrate education and lifestyle benchmarks within the historic Princeton Graded School.
August 1 2026-December 24, 2026
- Youth placement:
- TESS will host after school programs for students ages 9-13 beginning in September 2026.
- Students aged 14-18 can apply for internships to instruct and assist with after school programs and earn community service credit or a stipend.
- Youth workshops:
- Social Emotional Learning: Suspension requirement of Princeton area schools structured to address the five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
- Literacy and tutoring:
One-on-one and group tutoring sessions for students who need extra support, and a summer reading program to prevent learning loss or remediation.
- Creative writing: 2-hour (13-17)
PAGES - Princeton Area Guardians of our Echoes and Stories
Taking advantage of the historic school setting, students will be inspired to write stories, plays, or poems and record oral histories and recollections of local residents and archive them into digital diaries.
- Creative arts: 2-hour (13-17)
PAGES - Princeton Art of Expressions and
Taking advantage of the historic school setting, students will be inspired to draw, sketch, paint, and photograph images of the school building and of local alumni of PGS and turn archive them into digital images.
- STEM exploration: Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math programs use interactive, project-based learning to make complex subjects fun and engaging.
- Martial Arts
Adult Activities
Educational programs
- Adult continuing education: These programs offer skills for career development and/or personal enrichment.
- Digital literacy classes: Workshops on computer basics, social media management, or website creation will help residents improve their professional skills.
- Financial literacy seminars: Classes on budgeting, saving, and financial planning to empower community members.
- Lifelong learning series: Lectures and book club discussions on a variety of topics, fostering a culture of lifelong learning.
- Therapy-based mental resilience classes:
- Mental resilience classes (30-55) Fun and engaging therapist-lead group sessions helping individuals develop the ability to adapt to adversity, navigate stress, and recover from challenges with strength and flexibility, enabling continued personal growth and well-being.
- Mental resilience classes (55+) Reflective and powerful therapist-lead group sessions assisting the elderly find the capacity to manage life's changes, cope with health challenges, and maintain a positive outlook, allowing for a purposeful and fulfilling life in later years.
Recreational programs
- Fitness and wellness: We promote healthy lifestyles through accessible and affordable fitness programs.
- Fitness classes: Offer group classes like Zumba, chair yoga, or low-impact aerobics.
- Lawn games tournament: This tournament features low-impact lawn games such as croquet, horseshoes, and cornhole. These games will be enjoyed outdoors, promote social interaction, and involve minimal strenuous activity.
- Outdoor nature walks: A guided or walking program on local trails to enjoy fresh air and nature while getting light exercise, with options for slower paces and mobility aids.
- Tai Chi or Qigong classes: Classes focusing on Tai Chi or Qigong, which are low-impact, slow-moving exercises that improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength. These practices also offer meditative benefits, helping with stress reduction.
- Chair-based yoga: A specialized form of yoga that uses a chair for support. This improves muscle strength, flexibility, and balance while minimizing stress on joints.
- Creative dancing: Focusing on various styles like Chicago Steppin’, Shaggin’, and line dancing which provide excellent cardiovascular benefits while improving balance and coordination.
- Chair exercises: For seniors with limited mobility, we offer chair-based workouts that focus on strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. These can include seated stretches, leg lifts, and arm raises.
- Outdoor interval walking training: Organize structured walking programs that alternate between brisk and slow walking, offering a cardiovascular workout without the strain of jogging.
- Gardening and outdoor work: Volunteer to participate in the TESS of North Carolina community gardening club where seniors can engage in low-impact physical activity through planting and maintaining the historic grounds of the Princeton Graded School. This also offers social interaction with like-minded individuals. Spring and Fall months only.
- Arts and crafts: We’re tapping into the community's creative spirit with a variety of hands-on arts programs.
- Pottery or painting classes: Offer workshops for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced artists.
- Saturday Crafting: Regular events where residents can gather to work on crafts like knitting, quilting, or jewelry making. Master crafters may also hold workshops for beginner or intermediate crafters.
- Community choir or theater: Organize a choir or theater group that performs for the community, providing a creative outlet for local talent.
Family Activities
Integrated edutainment programs
These programs blend learning and fun, directly fulfilling TESS's unique mission.
- Family movie nights with a historical twist: Host a family movie night, and precede the film with a short, educational presentation about the movie's historical context or theme.
- "Meet the maker" workshops: Partner with local artisans to offer workshops where residents can learn a traditional craft while hearing the story of the artisan and their trade.
- Themed festivals: Organize festivals that celebrate local heritage, agriculture, or seasonal events. These could include live music, demonstrations, and games, all with an educational component.
- Juneteenth (June 16) Freedom Day
- Kwanzaa (December) Prioritizing Time Talent Treasure
- End of Harvest Celebration (September 1)
- Easter Sunrise Service w/ Community Choir (March/April/May)
- Dr. King Remembered (January 16)
About Princeton Graded School
Princeton Graded School is a Rosenwald School in Johnston County, North Carolina. Constructed in 1925, the school served African American grade-school children until it closed in 1965. Although 10 Rosenwald Schools were constructed in Johnston County, Princeton Graded School is just one of two schools that still stands.
Rosenwald Schools emerged in 1912 from a collaboration between Booker T. Washington, founder and head of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and Julius Rosenwald, an Institute trustee and President of Sears, Roebuck and Company. At the time, public schools for African Americans across the South were often either inadequate or nonexistent. In the beginning, architects at Tuskegee Institute designed the schools and Rosenwald funded their construction. Later, the Julius Rosenwald Fund, a program started by Rosenwald, designed the schools and the fund required matching grants from the local African American community and school district. Between 1927 and 1932, approximately 5,000 Rosenwald Schools were constructed across the rural South. The schools served several hundred thousand African American students until many counties closed or repurposed their Rosenwald Schools after the 1954 United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
Princeton Graded School became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.