Johnston County board reviews Innovation Academy admissions, enrollment and costs in informational work session

The Johnston County Public Schools Board of Education on Thursday held an informational work session on Innovation Academy, reviewing the program’s history, admission rubric, student demographics, schedule and transportation costs. Board Chair Dr. Bracey opened the meeting by noting, “This is a work session; there are no votes being taken tonight,” and said the intent was to give the full board the chance to receive information in public.

The presentation, led by Anna Kuykendahl (district staff/presenter) and principal Miss Patton (Principal, Innovation Academy), walked the board through the school’s original charter intent, current student makeup, recruitment timeline and operational details. The discussion centered on how the school’s stated purpose — serving underserved students in the I‑95 corridor — has translated into admissions practice and current enrollment.

Why it matters: Innovation Academy is a countywide choice middle school with a cap of 100 students per incoming grade; its admissions rubric and transportation patterns affect which students countywide can attend and the district’s transportation spending. Board members pressed staff for clearer documentation of the rubric, evidence of the school meeting its original goals, and details about how admissions priorities are applied in practice.

The board heard that Innovation Academy was initially conceived as a lab-style feeder to district choice programs and as a way to reach underrepresented students in the I‑95 corridor. Miss Patton said the original plan to partner with a university and operate as a lab school “did not come to fruition,” and that visits from outside educators slowed after COVID. She said some external visitors have included the Friday Institute and NC State, and that JoCoTeach has…