Monroe Charter School Abruptly Closes Leaving More Than 160 Students In Chaos

There is so much about the story of Apprentice Academy that, as a parent, is a complete nightmare. Imagine last week, you drop your kids off at his/her school to begin a new education year. You survived another summer (whew), now back to the grind. Then, mysteriously you get a note from the school about being closed on Friday. On Saturday (on a holiday weekend, no less) comes word-via email-that the school is now closed, and you need to find somewhere else to educate your child. THAT'S what has happened at Apprentice Academy, a charter school in Monroe, or should I say, a former charter school in Monroe.

This is not a one thing answer. Let's start with legality. Apprentice Academy has operated out of two different locations. One on Old Charlotte Highway and another on Weddington Road. They hadn't been in the Old Charlotte Highway location in several years but had decided to shift school operations back to that location. The problem is the school no longer had a valid certificate of occupancy. The Fire Marshall got wind of this and informed the school they needed this in a visit on Thursday (this led to the Friday closing). The school, citing the expense of obtaining the CO, shut its doors. Let me be clear here. The Fire Marshall DID NOT shut down the school.

Unfortunately, the CO was merely the straw that broke the camel's back for Apprentice Academy. According to Principal Barry Ross and Chairman John Jedra (via WCNC), "Despite our collective efforts, we have not been able to achieve the level of student academic growth that we aspired to," they wrote. "Our school’s persistently low-performing status has further eroded the confidence of the community in our ability to fulfill our mission of preparing students for high-paying, high-tech careers."

Now 160 students and families are thrown into educational chaos to begin the 2024-25 academic school year.

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.