Randolph County Schools

Randolph County School System issues more than 1,000 diplomas

Randolph County School System issues more than 1,000 diplomas

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Monday, Aug. 21, with a variety of informational items to be presented to the board.  The first information item that was presented to the board was an update on Apprenticeship Randolph.   According to its website, Apprenticeship Randolph is “an opportunity for juniors and seniors living and/or learning in Randolph County to get a jump start on a professional career in our booming local industries.”  Students get on-job training, experience and an Associates of Applied Science from Randolph Community College.  "Apprenticeship Randolph's Signing Ceremony and Graduation was held at Randolph Community…
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UCA’s high school building ready; Delays expected for younger students

UCA’s high school building ready; Delays expected for younger students

ASHEBORO — The new high school building for Uwharrie Charter Academy opens next week. The new facility will house the high school and career academy. A ribbon cutting was held last Thursday, with an appearance by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who’s running for governor in 2024. Classes begin Monday, and students will be welcomed to the new facility. Staff members have spent the past couple of weeks on-site preparing for the opening. It hasn’t gone quite as smoothly for UCA’s elementary school facilities. UCA superintendent Sharron Castelli announced an adjustment to the school calendar for early grades. “We will have…
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RCS to change focus surrounding Virtual Academy

RCS to change focus surrounding Virtual Academy

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Monday, June 5, with presentations on the Virtual Academy and various grants as the main items on the agenda. Following up on a recommendation to consider closing the Virtual Academy made at last month’s board meeting by Superintendent Stephen Gainey, the superintendent instead recommended that RCS change its focus in relation to the school after an uptick in enrollments. “Looking at some of the things we talked about last month and where the school is, there’s been a pretty strong jump in the last couple of weeks,” Gainey said. “So,…
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Randolph County local makes NC All-State Honors Band

Randolph County local makes NC All-State Honors Band

TRINITY – Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve in Randolph County has a vision to immerse students in 21st-century skills in order to guide them to make decisions related to their future goals. One particular student, Zane York, has taken up this vision and created an opportunity for himself through the All-State Honors Band.  The school’s band director, Angel Freeland, has now accomplished her lifelong goal through York’s hard work. She has been the band director for Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve for 13 years.  “It’s really unique here being a six-twelve school; I really get to enjoy some of my students staying from sixth…
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UCA receives 10-year renewal

UCA receives 10-year renewal

ASHEBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy has further confirmation that its long-term future appears bright. Randolph County’s only charter school was notified that the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has voted to recommend a 10-year renewal for the school, which has grades K-12. “This is our first renewal, and the max you can get is 10 years,” said Sharon Castelli, the school’s superintendent. “Which means we’re going to be around a little longer.” The final stamp of approval should come from the Charter Schools Advisory Board in the spring, something that’s considered just a formality at this point. UCA is…
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RCSS receives electric bus as part of pilot program

RCSS receives electric bus as part of pilot program

The Randolph County School System is the first public school system in the state to receive an electric school bus as part of a pilot program funded by the North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement program. Various school officials and representatives of other groups gathered last week to document the development. In photo, left to right: Phillip Lanier, Randolph County Board of Education member; Michael Trent, Director of Innovative Energy Solutions, Randolph Electric Membership Corp.; Roy Parks, Western Regional Sales Manager, Carolina Thomas; Dr. Stephen Gainey, Superintendent, Randolph County School System; Elizabeth Biser, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality;…
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Randolph Early College senior recognized before board of education for United States Presidential Scholar selection

Randolph Early College senior recognized before board of education for United States Presidential Scholar selection

ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Board of Education met Monday, Jan. 9 with recognitions and quarterly updates the only items on the agenda. The board recognized the 2023 United States Presidential Scholar Nominee, Toby Cuna Zamora. “Toby Cuna Zamora, a senior at Randolph Early College High School, has been selected by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) as one of North Carolina’s nominees to apply for the United States Presidential Scholars Program in the General Education category,”  said Public Information Officer Tim Moody. “Nineteen nominees were selected from a pool of submissions through an extensive committee review process.…
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Toyota tags funds for education to aid workforce

Toyota tags funds for education to aid workforce

LIBERTY – Toyota wants to help mold the workforce for the new plant at the Guilford-Randolph megasite. In what company officials describe as an effort to boost workforce readiness and exposure, donations totaling $1 million will be used to expand education opportunities. The effort comes to boost what’s called STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics). Communities in Schools of Randolph County and North Carolina A&T University will each receive $500,000 to help strengthen STEAM education programs that support career readiness. This could be a big deal in Randolph County. Grant funds will be used to support students, empowering…
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Elementary teacher takes pride in RCSS honor

Elementary teacher takes pride in RCSS honor

Sophie Herring was selected as the Teacher of the Year for the Randolph County School System. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Once Sophie Herring discovered the joys of teaching, she became hooked. The elementary school teacher has been rewarded for her efforts in classrooms and among her peers by being named the Teacher of the Year for the Randolph County School System. “I know I’m young in the career,” she said. “It’s a huge honor. I’ve been overwhelmed with the love I’ve gotten from this.” She spent the past six school years teaching third grade at Trindale Elementary School. Her selection…
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