GREENSBORO -- New Guilford County Schools superintendent Mo Green held the first of what he says will be weekly briefings with reporters Wednesday. At this week’s meeting, Green and two key staff members focused on efforts to improve the district's high school graduation rate.

Green says the briefings are aimed at improving public awareness of school programs and challenges facing the district. He hopes to encourage a “deeper, richer understanding between the district and all of its stakeholders."

One of the district's biggest challenges he says is improving on last year's graduation rate of just less than 80 percent.

"Children who drop out of school are more likely to be unemployed, underemployed, have unstable family lives or end up in the penal system," Green said.

Richard Tuck, the district’s director of social work, says the recovery program is working to convince this year's 900 dropouts to return to the classroom.

"These options include face-to-face contact with teachers,” he said. “We know that's valuable."

Guilford County Schools points to three success stories, Weaver Academy, Greensboro College Middle College and the early college program at Guilford College. Much smaller than traditional high schools, they're among only eight schools statewide with a 100 percent graduation rate.

"The major key to success there is the size of the school itself,” said GCS administrator Barbara Zwadyk. “We have 100 to 125 students there so that it is personalized and our traditional schools are making lots of effort there through academies that we have in place."

Green says the district has made great progress in recent years in raising its graduation rate but he won't be satisfied until every student dons a cap and gown.

"I firmly believe that all of our children have the capacity to be excellent,” he said. “I believe that all of our children can learn. I believe that all our children can graduate."

Green also said Wednesday that he's making progress at filling the position of chief academic officer. The first round of interviews of some 75 applicants will get under way in about 10 days.