Two new schools, Manteo Middle School and Nags Head Elementary School opened on the same day - January 24, 2006.

On August 24 and 25, four ribbon cuttings were held to open major renovations and new construction at Manteo Elementary School, Kitty Hawk Elementary School, Manteo High School, and Dare County Alternative School for the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. Dare County Alternative School relocated to a renovated wing of the former Manteo Middle School, now shared with College of the Albemarle. Cape Hatteras Secondary School is targeted to open for students in the spring of 2007 with a final campus project completion of early 2008.

Recent Highlights:

Dare County Schools are governed by a seven member Dare County Board of Education (P.O. Box 1508, 3020 Wrightsville Avenue, Nags Head, NC 27959 or (252) 480-8888 and administered by the superintendent - Dr. Sue Burgess. Offices are located at 3020 Wrightsville Avenue (adjacent to the Nags Head Elementary School) in Nags Head.

4-H, a division of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office offers after school and day care programs. For more information, call 473-4290.

Private School
Wanchese Christian Academy K4-12)
39 The Lane
Wanchese, NC 27981
(252) 473-5797
101 Students

Currituck County School System employs more than 600 individuals, including both certified and non-certified staff . The school system is governed by a five member Board of Education (2958 Caratoke Highway, Currituck, NC 27929 or (252) 232-2223) and administered by Superintendent C. Michael Warren.

The system enrollment is 4,100. In spite of continued growth in our school enrollment, the schools maintain class sizes below the state averages. Student to teacher ratios for the different grade spans are as follows: K-3rd: 18:1; 4th-5th: 19:1; 6th-8th: 20:1; 9th-12th: 23:1.

Last year we welcomed eight new administrators to the system and worked with the entire team to build new relationships and develop a common vision and goals for the Currituck County School System. Dr. June Atkinson was elected as our new State Superintendent; changes were made to curriculum; and this list goes on. During the 2005-06 school year, Superintendent Warren sponsored a Leadership Academy for Directors and Principals which met several days in August, and once a month thereafter to create what has become a very cohesive professional team. The team examined current practices, studied research, and discussed what it would take to make a good school system “Great”. This became the impetus for creating a new vision for Currituck County Schools that would lead students and teachers into the 21st Century.

The mission of the Currituck County Schools System, in collaboration with parents and the community, is to provide rigorous, responsive and safe learning environments where students and staff are engaged in learning activities that promote academic growth and excellence, mutual respect, and shared responsibility; enabling students to acquire the necessary skills to successfully compete in a rapidly changing society.

Goal 1 High Student Performance: Maintain or increase overall student proficiency as measured by EOG’s, EOC’s, and K-2 Assessments while targeting improvements in the following areas: Increase in honors or higher level courses as measured by:

Goal 2 Provide Effective & Efficient Operations: Begin construction of new elementary schools (be on track to open August 2008)

Goal 3 Maintain Quality Teachers, Administrators, and Staff: All staff will meet “High Quality” standards as determined by state, federal, and/or national standards/requirements.

Goal 4 Strong Family, Business, and Community Support: Increase communication through implementation of: Parent Notification System, New System Website with Teacher Websites

Goal 5 Safe, Healthy, Orderly, & Caring Schools: Fully implement Wellness Policy and Complete Chemical Hygiene Plan

Goal 6 Technology
Complete final implementation of HRMS (Human Resource Management System)
Incorporate use of PDA’s for assessments by all 1st grade/Title I staff
Begin digital imaging for electronic storage of documents and records
Implement maintenance work-orders on-line
Increase integration of technology by increasing accessibility to technology through the use of wireless labs, laptops/projector sets, and an increased number of classroom computers

Goal 7 Leadership Development: Initiate an Assistant Principal Leadership Academy
Increase staff development opportunities for instructional leaders, especially in technology

Monthly meetings have been held since the beginning of the 2005-06 school year. After several sessions focusing on research and best practices, parent and teacher representatives along with administrators have been focusing on prioritizing specific suggestions to meet our mission. Among the ideas being considered:

Educating Parents and Students : Efforts are underway to build parents’ and students’ understanding of what it takes to be able to make the best of their high school years, meet tougher requirements and take advantage tools to assist in planning for their future.