North Carolina Middle School Removes Mirrors From Restrooms

A North Carolina middle school has taken the unusual step of removing mirrors from restrooms to keep TikTok-addicted students from skipping class.

Southern Alamance Middle School recently removed its mirrors because students were constantly filming TikTok videos in the restrooms.  School officials say some students were cutting class to record videos for the social media platform, with some visiting the restroom as many as nine times a day.

In addition to removing the mirrors, the school also implemented a digital hall pass system.  School district spokesman Les Atkins says the unorthodox strategy is working.  “Not as many visits to the bathroom, not staying as long and students are held accountable and then when there’s accountability you see a great difference,” Atkins told WFMY-TV.

Southern Alamance Middle School is in Graham, North Carolina, just a few miles south of Burlington.

Yesterday 8 North Carolina schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the Department of Education, "the recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. These schools demonstrate what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students' lives." A total of 353 schools nationwide received this distinction, this included 313 public schools and 40 private schools. Each of the 8 North Carolina schools recognized was a public school.

The award-winning schools will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on November 16 and 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the 40th year the Department of Education has selected the National Blue Ribbon Schools. According to the department the criteria for public schools are as follows:

Performance Award Criteria for Public Schools: In order to be eligible for nomination, a school must meet several criteria based on the performance of its students on state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics or a composite of performance on these assessments with other measures of student performance (e.g., student growth on state assessments, performance on state assessments in other subjects, graduation rates, or other indicators in the state’s accountability system).

You can read more about the eligibility requirements here. Congratulations to each of these eight North Carolina Schools that received the National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. They represent elementary, middle, and high schools across the state. In fact, there are 7 different school districts represented with the remaining school being a charter school. Keep reading to see and learn a little more about each of these schools. Congratulations and thank you to the teachers and staff of these schools for giving your best to the children of North Carolina!

Location: 5337 Highway 264 East, Washington, NC

District: Beaufort County Schools

Public

Beaufort County Early College High School exists in coordination with Beaufort County Community College where students can earn college credits while in high school. It's one of only two high schools that made this list.

Location: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC

District: Buncombe County Schools

Public

There are actually several Fairview Elementary Schools in Charlotte. This one though is in Buncombe County and has approximately 660 students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade.

Location: 4049 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro

District: n/a

Public

Greensboro Academy is a charter school in Greensboro. Charter Schools offer a private school quality eduction but for free. Students simply have to apply for admission which is available to any student in NC. Greensboro Academy serves grades K-8.

Location: 70 Sanders Road, Wilmington

District: New Hanover County Schools

Public

Known as Bellamy Elementary School, this award-winning school serves students in grades 1-5 in Wilmington, NC.

Location: 1600 N Morris Street, Gastonia

District: Gaston County Schools

Public

Our second and last high school on this list, is Highland School of Technology in Gastonia. Highland is the first magnet high school in this district. Students complete courses in one of three academies: Health Sciences; Business, Legal, and Information Sciences; and Manufacturing/Engineering Technology and Graphics. 

Location: 5925 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC

District: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Public

Jay M Robinson is a 6-8th grade middle school in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. It's home to the Chargers!

Location: 6260 E Blalock Road, Lucama NC

District: Wilson County Schools

Public

Lucama serves students in Wilson County in grades K-5. They state the school's purpose is to develop each student to their fullest potential.

Location: 1885 Odell School Road, Concord, NC

District: Cabarrus County Schools

Public

Odell Elementary is a grades 3-5 elementary school in Concord, NC.