Cabarrus County Schools: Launching Education into the Future

BY KIMBERLY BROUILLETTE

For anyone who has seen the numerous modular buildings located at most Cabarrus County schools, it is obvious that County schools, it is obvious that the student population is busting at the student population is busting at the seams. In fact, Concord is ranked the seams. In fact, Concord is ranked as the 16th fastest growing city in as the 16th fastest growing city in the country, according to a 2019 the country, according to a 2019 article in wallethub.com. Official article in wallethub.com. Official 2020 U.S. Census records won’t be 2020 U.S. Census records won’t be released until next year, but there are released until next year, but there are approximately 220,500 people living approximately 220,500 people living in Cabarrus County at this time, as in Cabarrus County at this time, as per worldpopulationreview.com. per worldpopulationreview.com. This includes an increase of over This includes an increase of over 42,000 residents since the 2010 42,000 residents since the 2010 U.S. Census was performed.U.S. Census was performed.

It’s no surprise that the school numbers for the county reflect a numbers for the county reflect a large student population. The 2017- large student population. The 2017- 2018 school year included 32,582 2018 school year included 32,582 students throughout the 40 schools students throughout the 40 schools existing at that time, according to existing at that time, according to publicschoolreview.com. Fortunately, publicschoolreview.com. Fortunately, Cabarrus County has taken action on Cabarrus County has taken action on this critical area. For the 2020-2021 this critical area. For the 2020-2021 school year, two new schools will school year, two new schools will be opening — West Cabarrus High be opening — West Cabarrus High and Hickory Ridge Elementary. A and Hickory Ridge Elementary. A new middle school will be opening in new middle school will be opening in 2022.

West Cabarrus High School is the West Cabarrus High School is the first three-story school facility in the first three-story school facility in the county. For the 2020-2021 school county. For the 2020-2021 school year, it is projected to have 1250 year, it is projected to have 1250 students in grades 9-11, but will students in grades 9-11, but will eventually allow for an enrollment of eventually allow for an enrollment of 1,600 students as the senior class is 1,600 students as the senior class is

Our program is looking to partner with Concord Padgett Regional Airport for guest speakers, ight time and internships.

—YOLANDA BLAKENEY, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF WEST CABARRUS HIGH

promoted for 2021-2022, according promoted for 2021-2022, according to the Cabarrus County Schools to the Cabarrus County Schools website, cabarrus.k12.nc.us. A staff of website, cabarrus.k12.nc.us. A staff of 111 members have been employed, of 111 members have been employed, of which 74 are teachers. which 74 are teachers.

The new high school will alleviate The new high school will alleviate much-needed classroom space for the much-needed classroom space for the existing schools. It will initially receive existing schools. It will initially receive students from eight feeder schools: students from eight feeder schools: • • 4 Middle Schools 4 Middle Schools — JN Fries, — JN Fries,

Concord Middle, Winkler Middle, Concord Middle, Winkler Middle, and Northwest Cabarrus Middle and Northwest Cabarrus Middle • • 4 High Schools 4 High Schools — Concord — Concord High, Central Cabarrus High, High, Central Cabarrus High, Northwest Cabarrus High, and Northwest Cabarrus High, and JM Robinson High. JM Robinson High.

In future years, students in the West In future years, students in the West Cabarrus District will primarily come Cabarrus District will primarily come from Weddington Hills Elementary from Weddington Hills Elementary and Winkler Middle School, located and Winkler Middle School, located almost directly across the street from almost directly across the street from the high school. the high school.

The state-of-the-art facility, located The state-of-the-art facility, located on Weddington Road in Concord, on Weddington Road in Concord, will house many unique learning will house many unique learning spaces, including (8) floor-to-ceiling spaces, including (8) floor-to-ceiling collaboration rooms for student collaboration rooms for student and teacher use throughout all three and teacher use throughout all three floors. A unique “stairatorium,” a floors. A unique “stairatorium,” a large tiered-seating area on the first large tiered-seating area on the first floor, is outfitted with (2) 80” displays floor, is outfitted with (2) 80” displays for meeting spaces of under 200 for meeting spaces of under 200 individuals. In addition, a 720-seat individuals. In addition, a 720-seat auditorium, a 1,280-seat spectator auditorium, a 1,280-seat spectator gym, and a 150-seat auxiliary gym, gym, and a 150-seat auxiliary gym, along with other typical program along with other typical program spaces, will also be included. Student spaces, will also be included. Student dining will be mostly informal, and dining will be mostly informal, and

CCS wants to bridge the gap between industry and education through opportunities for underserved populations who otherwise would not have access to this type of experience, training, and employment opportunities.

—YOLANDA BLAKENEY, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF WEST CABARRUS HIGH

The new West Cabarrus High School sits ready to welcome new students.

Artist's Rendering

mixed in with large circulation spaces with various distributed serving options and locations available. For the outdoor portion of the campus, a football stadium, track and field events, concessions/restroom building, field house, baseball/softball fields and associated storage/restroom building, six tennis courts and associated restroom building, a band field and four practice fields will be provided.

Todd Smith, the new principal of the school, began his teaching career in 1992 as a social studies teacher at West Charlotte High School. After completing the Principal Fellows program, he joined Cabarrus County Schools as an Assistant Principal at Central Cabarrus High in 1999. He was named principal at JM Robinson High School in 2005. In 2008, he opened Concord Middle High, and remained there for 10 years. Smith also served as interim principal at Mt. Pleasant High for one year before moving into his current role as principal of West Cabarrus.

Smith stated that he is “excited to be able to work with students, staff, parents, and the surrounding community in creating the Wolverine family.” One of his primary goals in his new position is to prepare students for their post-secondary plans while enjoying their high school experience. He added that the school will also provide:

• Engaging, active instruction

• Support systems for both students and staff

• Positive student experiences— extracurricular and athletic opportunities; and

• Embrace diversity in a safe and collaborative learning environment.

The community had the opportunity to help choose the new West Cabarrus High’s mascot, according to Smith. “We utilized a collaborative effort to select our mascot. The community had the opportunity to submit nominations via CCS’ web page for a specific time period. West Cabarrus administrators and Athletic Director (AD) provided the top six nominations to then identified West Cabarrus students for a vote. Based on voting results, Wolverines won and became the official mascot. We also utilized a collaborative process to decide on the appearance of the Wolverine.”

“A Jostens artist provided a rendition which we shared with several student focus groups from feeder middle and high schools for input. Based on the student input submitted to Jostens, we came up with the current rendition of the Wolverine. We have received a lot of positive feedback from the resulting mascot and his image… The school’s colors of red and black were selected before I was named as principal.”

In addition to the beautiful campus, West Cabarrus High has the distinction of being the first Cabarrus County School (CCS) to have the STEM Academy of Aviation and Aerospace program. It will offer three career pathways for students — Aerospace (engineering), Aeronautics (pilot), and Avionics (repair and maintenance). According to Smith, “students apply to the STEM Academy of Aviation through CCS’ Choice Program application. This is the same process utilized by all students applying for any of CCS’ academies or choice options. The selection process is also the same process in place for all CCS Choice programs. Students must be enrolled in CCS but can live outside of the West Cabarrus district to apply and/or participate. The objective is for students to leave the program with industry certifications and prepared for a successful and productive career in the aviation industry.”

According to Yolanda Blakeney, assistant principal of West Cabarrus High, “There are very few programs of this type — Sun Valley High School in Union County, T.W. Andrews in High Point, NC, and the Early College of Forsyth County. Cleveland High

Hickory Ridge Elementary will be the first two-story elementary school in Cabarrus County in decades.

Photos Courtesy: Cabarrus County Schools

School in Johnston County offers the exact same program that West Cabarrus will offer and will partner with us…Our program is looking to partner with Concord Padgett Regional Airport for guest speakers, flight time and internships. We also want to partner with some of their maintenance suppliers for internships.”

“For 2020-2021, the courses we will offer are 9th — Launching into Aviation; 10th — Introduction to

Flight AND Aircraft Systems and Performance; and 11th — Flying Environment AND Flight Planning. Class descriptions can be found at https://youcanfly.aopa.org/high-school/ high-school-curriculum. Avionics and Aerospace pathways will be added in the upcoming years. There are also opportunities to expand the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS - or drones) course in the future into a pathway,” Blakeney adds.

When asked about any special technology or software to be used, Blakeney explained, “Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA) provide access to their program because of the academy. There are also program specific STEM learning activities and scholarships. We also will have partnerships with Concord Padgett’s Civil Air Patrol because of the academy. West Cabarrus will also house flight simulators to support pilot credentials.”

“NC ranks #7 for the best place for economic development for aviation and aerospace. Concord is in the top 20 of the fastest growing economy in the US. — based on a Cabarrus Economic Development report. When partnered with the projected 80% retirement rate of pilots within the next 10 years, there is an employment gap with opportunities for high paying careers. The military and large programs such as Emory Riddle are not able to fill the projected gap alone.” Blakeney continued, “CCS wants to bridge the gap between industry and education through opportunities for underserved populations who otherwise would not have access to this type of experience, training, and employment opportunities.”

The new STEM Academy of Aviation and Aerospace program will prepare students for several higher education programs in NC. Aviation programs can be found at Guilford Tech and Lenoir Community Colleges, as well as Elizabeth City State and NC State. In addition, Emory Riddle University of Alabama also offers a prominent program that students would be able to apply for.

The other new school, Hickory Ridge Elementary, will be open in time for the 2020-2021 school year, and is located on Hickory Ridge Road in Harrisburg. The new facility will house up to approximately 850 students and 44 classroom teachers.

Improved technology will include smartboards (K/1) or TV (grades 2-5) to use for instructional purposes in each classroom. Additionally, the students will all be 1-1 with technology — iPads for K/1 and Chromebooks for grades 2-5. Another improved technological advancement will be that all classrooms will have a document camera that will interact with the teacher iPads to display on their smartboard or TVs.

According to Hickory Ridge’s new principal, Adrian Parry, “Class sizes are within the district/state average. We should have approximately 18 students in K-3 and 27 students in 4th and 5th grade. Our enrollment is increasing weekly and we are excited to welcome everyone into the Hickory Ridge family.”

Parry also elaborated on the process for choosing their new mascot and colors. “We are the Hickory Ridge Cowboys. We wanted to make sure the community and students were involved throughout the process. In the fall of 2019, we opened received nominations through an online poll...Once we had our nominations, we partnered with the two elementary school that our students are coming from (Patriots STEM and Harrisburg) and had the students vote at their current elementary schools.”

Having worked in education for 16 years, Parry is looking forward to her position at the new school. “I graduated with my BS in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. While in the classroom, I taught 2nd, 3rd and 5th grades. I was a North Carolina Principal Fellow and graduated from UNC Charlotte with my Masters in Educational Administration. I believe that social emotional learning practices should be integrated throughout the school day and serves as the foundation for learning.”

“Our students will participate in a sensory integration/mindful class within the special area rotation. Through this class, they will work on goal setting, developing a growth mindset, learn about mindful practices, and experience sensory integration and movement within the classroom. The students will be learning through social emotional practices throughout the building.”

For more information on these or any other schools and programs, visit www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us, or call the individual Cabarrus County school facilities.

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