Three Lenoir County schools earn North Carolina STEM Schools of Distinction

Northwest Elementary School, E.B. Frank Middle School and Continuous Savannah K‑8 were formally recognized Sept. 4 by the North Carolina State Board of Education as STEM Schools of Distinction, Lenoir County Public Schools officials told the board Oct. 8.

District staff said the three schools were among 11 statewide to receive recognition this year and that LCPS accounted for three of those 11 schools. Northwest received the highest designation — model school — while E.B. Frank and Continuous Savannah received recognition at the prepared level. District presenters said the recognitions were announced at the State Board of Education meeting and honored with banners and certificates to be displayed at each campus.

The district presentation described distinct ways the schools embed STEM across grade levels and subjects. At Northwest, staff described classroom STEM integration, an on‑site greenhouse and garden, increased science fair participation, science Olympiad teams and family STEM nights; presenters said most of the school’s STEM resources were funded by teacher‑written grants and community donations. Continuous Savannah staff highlighted project‑based learning, daily technology use on iPads, cross‑grade partnerships and increasing science fair participation. E.B. Frank presenters said the school connects STEM to local business partners, has an emerging agriculture program and a history lab used as a locus for project‑based work.

District staff said assessors’ feedback praised the schools’ community connections and noted the district should amplify its work beyond the local community. One assessor quoted in the presentation called Northwest “a real gem,” and suggested the school could broaden its network across the state and nation.

Superintendent‑level staff and school leaders described the recognition as competitive and noted the designation is valid for three years; after that schools undergo a shorter review and can reapply at the end of a second three‑year period. The district said six additional LCPS schools are preparing applications to submit in December, with site visits expected in 2026.

Board members and officials congratulated staff and students at the meeting and described the designations as illustrative of different models for STEM: a science‑centered elementary model (Northwest), a literacy/technology focus (Continuous Savannah) and a history/heritage emphasis combined with hands‑on learning at a middle school (E.B. Frank).