Cocord/Kannapolis/Mooresville

[AppSt94]

It looks like my company will be relocating me soon and one of the possible landing spots is going to be north of Charlotte (Salisbury). I am doing some prep work and was hoping that some of you can give me some ideas of schools. I have one daughter that will be entering high school and one in middle school. Both are straight A students. The oldest will enter high school with a 5.0 GPA as she has already taken 9th grade Algebra and English. What schools would be the best to foster their acedemic needs? Thank you for any help that you can offer.

[ImfromClayton]

I don't know if you want to push this from Salisbury, but Hickory Ridge High and Middle, along with Harrisburg and Patriots Road Elementary schools are building a phenomenal academic resume in this area. All brand new schools, all near Harrisburg.

[appyirish]

I cannot comment about the school system (I graduated from East Rowan in 1979 and have lived in the Raleigh area since 1984).
However, for BQ I suggest Hendrix and M&K ( Granite Quarry).

[appdaze]

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/distr ... earch.aspx


This site usually has up to date info on most schools within the last year or two. Test scores, demographics, even the number of free and reduced lunches given out. It can also give you a decent idea of which schools are trending up and which are trending down.

[newtoasu]

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/distr ... earch.aspx


This site usually has up to date info on most schools within the last year or two. Test scores, demographics, even the number of free and reduced lunches given out. It can also give you a decent idea of which schools are trending up and which are trending down.

Appdaze, this is not directed at you per se, but in general using your post as an example.

In the other thread on NC teachers there seems to be a lot of disdain for measuring teachers based on the test scores of their students and on the fact that, in general, it seems that all we are doing today in education thanks to No Child Left Behind is testing, testing testing.

Mt wife, who has 18 years in education (and on a separate rant and story she cannot buy a job in the local school district because she has too much experience and would cost them an extra $3,500 per year) rails against the excessive testing. Her take is that while we see parents and teachers all complaining about too much testing, the first, and usually only, thing a parent will look at when deciding where to send their kids are test scores. In other words, they scream we are testing too much, but their actions indicate they are all for testing. Until their words and actions are the same we will continue to test more often.

The amount of testing is getting very ridiculous. In Texas we are now giving end of year tests to 3rd graders to determine if they should be promoted. You have 8 and 9 year old kids physically ill from stress worrying about passing these tests. They also are giving in early April, a full two months before the end of school so there is the opportunity to retake a failed test. The kids realize that once the test is over so is the educational part of the year and behavioral issues start as they want to "play" for the rest of the year.

Sorry to have hijacked the thread, but the emphasis on test scores drives me up the wall. Good test scores are usually only indicative of the socioeconomic class of the school and has nothing to do with the educational ability of the schools and teachers. A great education can make a difference in poorer schools and improve their scores from 75% failing to 75% passing, yet those scores are still far behind the higher income schools who may have the worst teachers in the world.

[asu1978]

Don't know about the schools,but my niece & her family live in Granite Quarry & like it there.She works at Carolinas University but usually takes the back roads there.If you like REAL country,you can try Cleveland(N.C. that is)

[AppSt94]

I don't know if you want to push this from Salisbury, but Hickory Ridge High and Middle, along with Harrisburg and Patriots Road Elementary schools are building a phenomenal academic resume in this area. All brand new schools, all near Harrisburg.

Thanks. I will look into those schools. I don't mind a commute if my kids can get a challenging education.

[AppSt94]

I cannot comment about the school system (I graduated from East Rowan in 1979 and have lived in the Raleigh area since 1984).
However, for BQ I suggest Hendrix and M&K ( Granite Quarry).

I have been to Hendrix and I enjoy it.

[appdaze]

Have you checked in to the local middle colleges? They are pretty tough and your kids will get to take college courses as well as high school courses. Most counties have one by now. It would probably pose the greatest educational challenge for them as well as getting them college credits to save you some $$ later on.

[huskie3]

I am a teacher and parent. I believe that in education you get out what you put in. If you study you get the information regardless of the teacher, and yes I realize there are teachers that push students and get more out of them. But in the end it is the effort of the student that makes the difference.

My daughter took some of the dual credit courses and ended up with 12 hours of college credit. That allowed her to have a double major in undergrad.

[JCline0429]

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/NC/distr ... earch.aspx


This site usually has up to date info on most schools within the last year or two. Test scores, demographics, even the number of free and reduced lunches given out. It can also give you a decent idea of which schools are trending up and which are trending down.

Appdaze, this is not directed at you per se, but in general using your post as an example.

In the other thread on NC teachers there seems to be a lot of disdain for measuring teachers based on the test scores of their students and on the fact that, in general, it seems that all we are doing today in education thanks to No Child Left Behind is testing, testing testing.

Mt wife, who has 18 years in education (and on a separate rant and story she cannot buy a job in the local school district because she has too much experience and would cost them an extra $3,500 per year) rails against the excessive testing. Her take is that while we see parents and teachers all complaining about too much testing, the first, and usually only, thing a parent will look at when deciding where to send their kids are test scores. In other words, they scream we are testing too much, but their actions indicate they are all for testing. Until their words and actions are the same we will continue to test more often.

The amount of testing is getting very ridiculous. In Texas we are now giving end of year tests to 3rd graders to determine if they should be promoted. You have 8 and 9 year old kids physically ill from stress worrying about passing these tests. They also are giving in early April, a full two months before the end of school so there is the opportunity to retake a failed test. The kids realize that once the test is over so is the educational part of the year and behavioral issues start as they want to "play" for the rest of the year.

Sorry to have hijacked the thread, but the emphasis on test scores drives me up the wall. Good test scores are usually only indicative of the socioeconomic class of the school and has nothing to do with the educational ability of the schools and teachers. A great education can make a difference in poorer schools and improve their scores from 75% failing to 75% passing, yet those scores are still far behind the higher income schools who may have the worst teachers in the world.

Totally agree with every single line of your post.

[JCline0429]

I am a teacher and parent. I believe that in education you get out what you put in. If you study you get the information regardless of the teacher, and yes I realize there are teachers that push students and get more out of them. But in the end it is the effort of the student that makes the difference.

My daughter took some of the dual credit courses and ended up with 12 hours of college credit. That allowed her to have a double major in undergrad.

You make an excellent point about it being the student's effort being a primary factor.


Some kids with low IQ, a miserable home life, no discipline at home, parents in jail for drug dealing, etc. are going to be difficult for any teacher to teach. My son is in a class with a little boy whose parents are in prison for drug dealing and being raised by two uneducated, poverty stricken grand parents. The kid is made fun of because he comes to school dirty and with dirty clothes and hasn't had a haircut in ages. How would a teacher being evaluated on teaching that kid, perform on an evaluation?

[asu66]

Here are a couple of tools that will help you get "grounded" in Rowan/Salisbury Schools data.

http://www.publicschoolreview.com/count ... unty/37159

http://www.rss.k12.nc.us/

I will admit that I have a personal bias for the North Rowan District. When I go back home, I bleed North Rowan Cavaliers' green and white. Spencer is a fine, little "laid back" town to live in and raise your children. It's a haven of historic old railroad town homes from the 1880s to the 1960s. That said, I must honestly tell you that the growth in Rowan leans toward the East Rowan District...Granite Quarry, Rockwell, Faith, et al.

East Rowan High is a fine school under the leadership of Kelly Sparger--a Spencer native and a North Rowan grad. Kelly was once a grad assistant football coach at ASU and later served as a fine coach at several 4A North Carolina high schools. I hired him as an assistant coach and athletic director at Wilkes Central in the late 80s and later placed him in his first assistant principalship. Within 3 years he was named principal of Erwin Middle School in Rowan. He's an outstanding school leader.

All of this is a an oversimplification; but you'll be able to sort it out.

Rowan/Salisbury school superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom and her husband, Eddie, are personal friends of mine. We were classmates at North Rowan as high school students. Eddie was my down the street neighbor and playmate from the time we were mere toddlers.

Dr. Grissom has run a tight ship in every administrative position she's ever held. This one has been no different. She announced earlier this year that she plans to retire on Sept. 30th. A search is in progress for her successor.

[asutrnr81]

It looks like my company will be relocating me soon and one of the possible landing spots is going to be north of Charlotte (Salisbury). I am doing some prep work and was hoping that some of you can give me some ideas of schools. I have one daughter that will be entering high school and one in middle school. Both are straight A students. The oldest will enter high school with a 5.0 GPA as she has already taken 9th grade Algebra and English. What schools would be the best to foster their acedemic needs? Thank you for any help that you can offer.

Check you MMB messages.

Thanks

[Maddog1956]

That said, I must honestly tell you that the growth in Rowan leans toward the East Rowan District...Granite Quarry, Rockwell, Faith, et al.

East Rowan High is a fine school under the leadership of Kelly Sparger--a Spencer native and a North Rowan grad. Kelly was once a grad assistant football coach at ASU and later served as a fine coach at several 4A North Carolina high schools. I hired him as an assistant coach and athletic director at Wilkes Central in the late 80s and later placed him in his first assistant principalship. Within 3 years he was named principal of Erwin Middle School in Rowan. He's an outstanding school leader.

Rowan/Salisbury school superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom
Dr. Grissom has run a tight ship in every administrative position she's ever held. This one has been no different. She announced earlier this year that she plans to retire on Sept. 30th. A search is in progress for her successor.

I think Kelly Sparger is retiring also.

Everyone has their personal opinion, but I think all of the RSS (just like anywhere) has their positive and negatives. For example, Salisbury HIgh (2A) has almost a "school inside a school" due to a lot of country club kids attending there. So for a "intercity" school it has some solid programs and grades. North Rowan is a very small school (1A) and some would say that it isn't in the best neighborhood and use to have the TP in the bathroom on logging chains. But then again their are kids for there getting "full rides" to Duke. Most the other school are mostly rural in nature, but with a good mix of students and are 3A schools as far as size.

Sport wise (if it's important) West has won championships in Football and Basketball (men), East baseball, Salisbury basketball (women) and pretty good football and tennis. I think north is coming back at track and football. These are just opinion, but are important to some people.

You might also want to check into Graystone in Richfield which is a charter school, which I have heard good things about.

Like someone else said, I think all of the schools in Rowan are what someone makes for them. They have their good and bad parts.

[JCline0429]

That said, I must honestly tell you that the growth in Rowan leans toward the East Rowan District...Granite Quarry, Rockwell, Faith, et al.

East Rowan High is a fine school under the leadership of Kelly Sparger--a Spencer native and a North Rowan grad. Kelly was once a grad assistant football coach at ASU and later served as a fine coach at several 4A North Carolina high schools. I hired him as an assistant coach and athletic director at Wilkes Central in the late 80s and later placed him in his first assistant principalship. Within 3 years he was named principal of Erwin Middle School in Rowan. He's an outstanding school leader.

Rowan/Salisbury school superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom
Dr. Grissom has run a tight ship in every administrative position she's ever held. This one has been no different. She announced earlier this year that she plans to retire on Sept. 30th. A search is in progress for her successor.

I think Kelly Sparger is retiring also.

Everyone has their personal opinion, but I think all of the RSS (just like anywhere) has their positive and negatives. For example, Salisbury HIgh (2A) has almost a "school inside a school" due to a lot of country club kids attending there. So for a "intercity" school it has some solid programs and grades. North Rowan is a very small school (1A) and some would say that it isn't in the best neighborhood and use to have the TP in the bathroom on logging chains. But then again their are kids for there getting "full rides" to Duke. Most the other school are mostly rural in nature, but with a good mix of students and are 3A schools as far as size.

Sport wise (if it's important) West has won championships in Football and Basketball (men), East baseball, Salisbury basketball (women) and pretty good football and tennis. I think north is coming back at track and football. These are just opinion, but are important to some people.

You might also want to check into Graystone in Richfield which is a charter school, which I have heard good things about.

Like someone else said, I think all of the schools in Rowan are what someone makes for them. They have their good and bad parts.

Graystone is on the campus of Pfeiffer and meets its quota every year.

[Maddog1956]

I think Kelly Sparger is retiring also.

Everyone has their personal opinion, but I think all of the RSS (just like anywhere) has their positive and negatives. For example, Salisbury HIgh (2A) has almost a "school inside a school" due to a lot of country club kids attending there. So for a "intercity" school it has some solid programs and grades. North Rowan is a very small school (1A) and some would say that it isn't in the best neighborhood and use to have the TP in the bathroom on logging chains. But then again their are kids for there getting "full rides" to Duke. Most the other school are mostly rural in nature, but with a good mix of students and are 3A schools as far as size.

Sport wise (if it's important) West has won championships in Football and Basketball (men), East baseball, Salisbury basketball (women) and pretty good football and tennis. I think north is coming back at track and football. These are just opinion, but are important to some people.

You might also want to check into Graystone in Richfield which is a charter school, which I have heard good things about.

Like someone else said, I think all of the schools in Rowan are what someone makes for them. They have their good and bad parts.

There are also private and public schools in Cabarrus County worth checking into and the kannapolis city schools is an option for some in Rowan County.

[wdhsbcsasu]

Take I-85 North across the Yadkin River into Davidson County. You will be in the West Davidson High School/Tyro Middle School District of the County. Should be a better choice, and the 85 track to Charlotte is not bad.

[appbanker]

It looks like my company will be relocating me soon and one of the possible landing spots is going to be north of Charlotte (Salisbury). I am doing some prep work and was hoping that some of you can give me some ideas of schools. I have one daughter that will be entering high school and one in middle school. Both are straight A students. The oldest will enter high school with a 5.0 GPA as she has already taken 9th grade Algebra and English. What schools would be the best to foster their acedemic needs? Thank you for any help that you can offer.

I'll put a plug in for the Mooresville Graded School District (Mooresville City Schools). They are a small district separate from the Iredell/Statesville schools. Mooresville's schools have been recognized nationally for their digital initiative (run by an App graduate) where every student from 4th grade up is provided with an Apple laptop for use during the school year (yes they get to take it home at night). Dr Edwards, the superintendant was recognized this year as top superintendant in the country. I have had 4 children go through the Mooresville schools (youngest graduates in less than 2 weeks), with 2 of them attending APP.
The school district is on the Salisbury side of Mooresville, so commuting will be easy.

Shameless Plug Time - my wife is a realtor in the Mooresville area and would be happy to assist you if you decide to make the move our area.