Rockingham County’s new CTE Innovative High School has officially opened its doors, marking a significant milestone in educational options for students in North Carolina. This institution is the state’s first Career and Technical Education (CTE) Innovation High School, developed through a collaboration between Rockingham Community College and Rockingham County Schools.
The school offers three distinct pathways for student choice: Advanced Manufacturing, Health Science, and Construction. Each pathway is designed to equip students with essential credentials and workforce certifications, preparing them for immediate entry into the job market upon graduation. Principal Laura Carter, who also oversees Rockingham Early College High, emphasized the importance of aligning educational offerings with local labor market needs. “The labor market data demonstrated a need in the pathways offered, allowing our students to be ‘choice ready’ upon graduation,” Carter stated.
Empowering Students Through Hands-On Education
The CTE Innovative High School is committed to empowering students to excel in high-demand careers through innovative, hands-on educational experiences. Students enrolled in any of the three pathways will have opportunities to earn post-secondary certifications, industry credentials, or even an associate degree, which requires an additional fifth year of study. The school also aims to provide valuable internships and apprenticeships with leading companies, along with career placement assistance.
Carter elaborated on the school’s mission, saying, “Through rigorous academics, state-of-the-art training, and industry partnerships, we prepare students to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s workforce with confidence, competence, and purpose.”
Classes are held on the campus of Rockingham Community College, allowing students to be dually enrolled in both high school and college courses. Currently, the school has an enrollment of 38 ninth-grade students, but there are plans for expansion. “We are contemplating a transfer option in the future,” Carter mentioned, adding that typically, the cooperative and innovative high school programs accept around 80 students per year. The school can accommodate up to 100 students per grade level, with a maximum capacity of 500 students across grades 9 to 13.
Future Aspirations and Staffing
Carter expressed optimism about the school’s potential to attract more students as interest in CTE continues to grow. “In the future, we hope the interest in CTE will allow us to maximize our capacity,” she said. The teaching staff comprises experienced educators from both the local district and Rockingham Community College, ensuring a blend of expertise in delivering the curriculum.
Carter, who has previously served as principal at Rockingham County High School and Leaksville Spray Elementary School, is enthusiastic about the opportunities the new CTE Innovative High School presents. Last year, she was recognized as the Rockingham County Schools Principal of the Year, a testament to her commitment to student success. “I felt this was a wonderful opportunity to prepare students in multiple facets of being choice ready through the Early College and CTE Innovative High School experiences,” she concluded.
As the school embarks on this new chapter, it aims to not only serve the educational needs of Rockingham County but also to shape the future workforce by providing students with the skills and certifications necessary for thriving in their chosen careers.
