Rockingham County launches CTE Innovative High School on RCC campus; 74 applications for 40 seats
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Summary
District leaders described a new Career and Technical Education Innovative High School to launch on Rockingham Community College’s campus with three pathways — health science, construction and advanced manufacturing — credential stacking, dual enrollment and work-based learning; the program received 74 applications for 40 first-year seats.
Rockingham County Schools staff on March 17 presented details of a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Innovative High School that will operate on Rockingham Community College (RCC) property and focus on three career pathways: health science, construction and advanced manufacturing.
Laura Carter (principal), Christy Hensley (career development coordinator), John Butler (STEM/advanced manufacturing lead) and Jessica Belcher (health science lead) described an experiential curriculum that combines block-scheduled core classes with pathway coursework on the RCC campus, industry-recognized credentials, dual-enrollment credit and required work-based learning.
Christy Hensley said students will begin stacking credentials from ninth grade and complete 120 contact hours of work-based learning by graduation. "Work-based learning will be critical, and it will be required for our students," Hensley said. Morgan McKinney, workforce development manager for Rockingham County, said industry partners have expressed support for internships, pre-apprenticeships and placement of credentialed graduates into local jobs.
Staff reported 74 applications for the initial cohort and are selecting 40 students for the first year, with a plan to expand to 80 students in the second year. Carter said the selection aims to place students who are the best fit for the program and that the district encouraged applicants to apply for both the CTE high school and the early college, noting many students choose the CTE pathway when accepted to both.
The district did not receive the anticipated startup state grant this year and will launch the program using existing CTE funds and local resources; staff said they remain hopeful for a $275,000 state allocation for innovative high schools in the next funding cycle. Carter said the program uses RCC’s workforce development center for advanced manufacturing and the Owens Building simulated hospital for health sciences coursework.
Board members asked about equity of admissions across middle schools and how pathway balance will be maintained; staff said they are interviewing applicants, reviewing career-planning data and working to balance pathway enrollment where possible.
Staff also described a new mascot (Pegasus), industry credentials such as OSHA 10, NCCER, AWS welding and dual-enrollment opportunities; they stressed partnerships with UNC Health Rockingham and other local employers for clinical and internship placements.
No formal board vote was recorded on the presentation. Staff said the program will continue outreach to parents and students and expects to scale enrollment in year two.