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Catawba County Schools

Engage. Inspire. Empower.

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About Us Home

Who We Are

Catawba County Schools (CCS) is a district with a bold vision for today – and an eye toward our future. As a district, we are committed to Engage, Inspire, and Empower both our students and our teachers. By engaging with unique opportunities to learn and lead while inspiring curiosity through exploration and research, we are empowering students and staff to become 21st century learners and leaders.

What That Means For You

Our size allows CCS to be an educational reform leader that delivers more: 

  • Innovative academic programs
  • Cutting edge technology with a myriad of online learning options
  • Diverse approach to delivering instruction
  • Special Education and Academically or Intelligently Gifted Programs for Exceptional Children
  • Recognized athletic programs, plus fine and performing arts that encourage development of a whole student

Three young students collaborate on a robotics project in a classroom setting.

 

Inspired Teaching Drives Empowered Learning

CCS believes that the most effective educational methods are those that empower teachers to do their best work - to engage students and inspire them to learn while giving them the tools necessary to take charge of their own education. We support a myriad of innovative programs and encourage the continued evolution of our classrooms.

Children collaborate on a building project using marshmallows and spaghetti in a classroom.

 

Here are just a few highlights: 

  • Differentiated and relevant instruction that embraces critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication
  • Research-based, progressive teaching methods
  • STEM activities that make higher-level learning relevant
  • Flexible classrooms with creative seating 
  • 1:1 student to technology ratio with a goal of staying abreast of modern and future technology
  • Commitment to continued student health, safety, and responsibility

Accountability is Important

We strive for academic excellence, which is why we take the grade we receive on our NC School Report Card (an annual statewide NC public school measure of school and district performance) seriously. In addition, we submit our School Improvement Plan for review and approval as required by state regulations, and our team revises that plan’s goals and strategies regularly. Feel free to explore the links below.

  • We believe that the key to making education better in our district is to consistently analyze what we're doing well and look for ways to improve. In August 2024, our Board of Education adopted a new 5-year strategic plan that we carefully crafted after gaining much stakeholder input. The strategic plan includes goals and action items that we evaluate each semester with our stakeholders. 

     

    We invite you to view our district’s strategic plan by clicking below.

     

    Download a PDF of our Strategic Plan

  • North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides its own "report card" about public schools in North Carolina. Report cards are released annually with a snapshot of each school - including student performance, class size, attendance, school safety, instructional resources, and teacher quality in our schools. Additionally, each school in the state receives a letter grade of A, B, C, D or F. 

     

    To assign an overall school performance grade, which is comprised of 80% proficiency and 20% growth, the state uses end-of-grade testing in elementary and middle schools and end-of-course exams plus other indices such as ACT scores, graduation rates, a measure of math rigor, WorkKeys scores, and EL progress.  While proficiency demonstrates a student’s performance level in a subject area, growth measures the amount of academic progress a student makes over the course of a year or class. 

     

    Personalizing learning to each student is essential to making certain that every student experiences growth, regardless of where they are in academic standing or their educational journey. 

     

    We invite you to view our district report card using the button below.

     

    View Our Report Card

  • The Principal's Monthly Report (PMR) contains enrollment, membership, and attendance information. This data is retrieved from the student information system (Infinite Campus) by NCDPI at the end of each school month for nine months. Included with the second month PMR is a revised Month 1 including any changes to Month 1 that occurred during the second school month.

     

    The PMR data is the source data for calculating Average Daily Membership, Average Daily Attendance, Initial Enrollment, and Membership Last Day. While the data retrieved from the LEAs/Charters will be posted online, no student identifiable data is used in any published data reports.

     

    See Previous Years

     

  • In compliance with federal laws, Catawba County Schools administers all locally operated educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, marital status, pregnancy, military service, disability, or gender, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Questions or concerns should be directed to:

     

    View the Annual Public Notice

  • Catawba County Schools is committed to making education better for all students by taking advantage of federal needs-based programs. These programs are granted to eligible schools  by the federal government based on poverty percentage guidelines.  Funds are used to provide equitable educational services to disadvantaged students in schools that qualify. These services include additional instructional personnel, educational programs, professional development, and materials & supplies. 

     

    Title I 

    • Based on “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) law
    • Is the largest federal aid program in our nation’s schools
    • Requires that every child receive a high-quality education
    • Provides extra help and support for the students

     

    Balls Creek Elementary Claremont Elementary OxfordElementary Snow Creek Elementary
    Banoak Elementary Clyde Campbell Elementary Mountain View Elementary Startown Elementary
    Blackburn Elementary Lyle Creek Elementary St.Stephens Elementary Tuttle Elementary
    Catawba Elementary Maiden Elementary Sherrills Ford Elementary Webb A. Murray Elementary

     

     

    • Requires schools to use research-based strategies
    • Requires teachers to be well trained and effective
    • Engages parents in their children’s education

     

    What does it mean to be a Title I School?

    Schools with at least 35% of students receiving free or reduced meals are eligible for Title I funds. In Catawba County Schools, we have chosen to focus Title I funding on elementary school literacy and math. We have done so because we believe early intervention is key to future success. Being a Title I school brings many additional opportunities to the school family & community. It brings extra funding that can be used to support instruction through smaller class sizes, more teacher assistants, tutors and academic facilitators, as well as additional funding for materials, technology, and professional development.

     

    Parent Engagement Policy

    Parent and Family Engagement is essential to our students’ success. Parents are their children’s first teachers, and their continued engagement in the educational process is critical to fostering and improving educational achievement. In addition to being involved in your child’s school, parents are also invited to participate at the district level by attending Title I Parent Advisory Council meetings and providing feedback regarding services and funding. 

     

    CCS Title I Parents’ Right to Know Booklet

     

    Free & Reduced Lunch Information

    ​​​​​​​Please visit our School Nutrition Website.

     

    Other Federal Programs

    ​​​​​​​Our district is fortunate to receive other federal funding to support quality instruction. These include Title II, III, and IV funds.

    • Title II - Dedicated to the preparation, training, and recruitment of highly qualified teachers and principals
    • Title III - Dedicated to ensuring English learners attain English language proficiency and meet state academic standards
    • Title IV - Dedicated to supporting well-rounded opportunities, safe and healthy students, and effective use of technology
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