Students in northeastern North Carolina now have access to an innovative new school working to positively impact the regional economy. The Northeast Academy of Aerospace and Advanced Technologies (NEAAAT) will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Aug. 31, at 9 a.m. on the campus of Elizabeth City State University.
NEAAAT is a STEM-focused school – that is, science, technology, engineering and mathematics – created to inspire and prepare students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to pursue the high demand jobs and careers of the future. The regional public school is the result of public-private partnerships to link education innovation to the changing economy in order to effect real change in this rural region of the state.
“This school grew directly from what’s happening in this region,” Elizabeth City Mayor and school founder Joe Peel said. “Aerospace is big industry and we’ve got higher education focusing in that area, so we needed a good pipeline from K-12 education. There’s a lot of potential here for change in the quantity and quality of education in the region.”
Designed as a statewide model, this regional public STEM school will graduate students with up to a two-year technical degree or two years of transferrable college credit. The school will partner with the Aviation & Science Program at ECSU and the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at College of the Albemarle.
Classes at the school will be based on contextual and project-based learning with an emphasis on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The school will also serve as a research and development resource for high schools in partnering school districts where they can come together to design innovative, career-relevant curricula, instructional approaches and uses of technology.
Partnerships are a key element for the school, according to Peel.
“The creation of this school has led to local districts incorporating STEM programs and has launched a regional conversation about the importance of education,” Peel said. “Our goal is to work with NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning to partner with school districts to enhance the instructional expertise across the region.”
The school opens this fall as part of the NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning network with about 120 students in 8th and 9th grades. Within five years, enrollment will expand to serve more than 400 students in grades 6-12. Any North Carolina student is eligible to attend the school, which targets first-generation college-going students and those with an interest in STEM careers.
“Students here will learn by doing, by solving real problems facing our region and the world today,” NEAAAT CEO Andrew Harris said. “With internships, field experiences, college visits and strong support from staff, our students will graduate ready to succeed in their college and career paths.”
To help launch the school in its first year, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust has provided an initial grant for $250,000.
“Partnerships with leading organizations like the Kenan Charitable Trust and their staff provide fundamental support for the creation of effective and innovative schools and districts,” NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning President Tony Habit said. “With their support, we can continue to empower administrators and teachers to advance transformation in public education across North Carolina.”
In addition to the grant from the Kenan Charitable Trust and partnerships with NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning, College of the Albemarle and Elizabeth City State University, school supporters include: Carnegie Corporation of New York, DRS Technologies, Elizabeth City Foundation, NC Department of Public Instruction, Sentara Healthcare, U.S. Coast Guard and numerous local businesses and individuals.
The Northeast Academy of Aerospace and Advanced Technologies is an innovative STEM-focused school that will inspire and prepare students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to pursue the high demand jobs and careers of the future. This public charter school is designed as a statewide model that will graduate students who have earned up to two years of college credit along with their high school diploma.
For more information visit northeastacademy.org and follow us on Twitter @NEAerospace.
NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning is a professional services agency focused on developing high-performing schools and school districts by providing innovative approaches to teacher and administrator professional learning. Since 2003, NC New Schools/ Breakthrough Learning has partnered with districts, higher education, businesses and communities in every region of the state to ensure that all students graduate ready for college careers and life. For more information, visit ncnewschools.org and follow us on social media @ncnewschools.
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