Cumberland County Schools outlines K-12 Choice Programs including immersion, early college and career academies

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Cumberland County Schools on Monday presented an overview of its Choice Programs for elementary through high school students, highlighting themed curricula that range from language immersion and arts integration to early college and career-technical academies.

Dr. Lavette Braswell, assistant superintendent for K-12 instructional programs, opened the session by urging families to explore options that match students' interests and goals. "Whether your child is interested in the arts, college credit, world languages, global studies, STEM, or career pathways, CCS offers unique opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive," she said.

Principals and program directors described individual offerings and how they differ. David Green, principal of Ann Chestnut Middle School, said the school offers both a year-round calendar and a Spanish immersion track. He said the year-round model uses nine-week academic quarters followed by three-week intercessions and "reduces the amount of instructional review time after intercession," while the immersion path continues elementary Spanish work toward high-school foreign-language credit and strong AAPPL proficiency scores.

Cross Creek Early College principal Chris Quiley described a program that lets students earn transferable college credits at Fayetteville State University and begin college coursework by their junior year. "Students are challenged to complete a bulk of their high school credits in their first two years and begin taking college courses in their junior year," Quiley said.

Cumberland Polytechnic High School, principal Naisha Witherspoon and counselor Jennifer Teal said, focuses on career and technical education with pathways that award industry-recognized credentials and college credits across areas including culinary arts, cosmetology, civil engineering and cybersecurity.

Other programs noted in the presentation include an Academy of Finance and an Academy of Green Technology at Douglas Byrd High School, a Fire Academy at E. E. Smith High School that offers EMT and driver-operator credentials, a STEAM Academy with community partnerships and exclusive museum experiences, and a School of the Arts that emphasizes performance and design.

Several elementary programs were highlighted. Sharel Haley described Ashley Elementary's World Language Choice Program, and Rachel Andress and Hannah Gray outlined Spanish-immersion programs at William H. Owen and E. E. Miller elementary schools. Brady Davis said New Century International Elementary hosts the district's Chinese immersion program beginning in kindergarten.

Beatrice Perez, a K'12 Spanish teacher, described use of the Connexiones Spanish heritage curriculum to support immersion and heritage speakers through project-based learning and community-connected projects.

Administrators also reviewed International Baccalaureate offerings at Southview High School and global-studies programs at Terry Sanford High School. Tara Bratcher, principal of Cumberland Academy K'5 Virtual School, and two students described the virtual school's full-time online instruction, monthly in-person meetups and extracurricular options.

The presentation concluded with an invitation from Dr. Braswell to review specific program information and the application process on the district's Choice Programs website.

The district did not announce enrollment caps, application deadlines or application outcomes during this presentation; families seeking those details were directed to the Choice Programs website for specifics.