STEM Schools: Instilling Quality, Preparing for Tomorrow
North Carolina New Schools launched its focus on STEM education in 2007, four years after its founding as a public-private partnership with a mission to transform schools into places that successfully prepare students for career, college and life. That year, North Carolina New Schools assisted school districts in the creation of nine inaugural STEM-themed high schools, including some in the state's lowest-wealth communities.
Now, North Carolina New Schools -- working with government and private partners -- is taking that approach to the next level by developing innovative networks of STEM schools, with deep connections to the private sector and higher education. Support for the development of these networks of schools comes from the state, from federal Race to the Top funds, and from forward-thinking companies and foundations such as GlaxoSmithKline, AT&T, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Duke Medicine, Progress Energy, Duke Energy and many others.
