Ellendale Elementary School
Parents and families in Ellendale had an opportunity March 5th to learn more about the new proposed STEM school set to open for the 2026-27 school year. Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin met with the community to tell them more about the Science-Technology-Engineering-Math focus planned for Ellendale Elementary. The STEM focus is the school district’s efforts to adapt in a changing world of education. The system also hopes to bolster enrollment for the dwindling student population.
Griffin said the new focus is also a chance to be creative in education. “Our conversations were ‘We can’t continue doing the same things we’re doing.’ We know that the educational model is changing and how students learn that’s changing as well,” explained Griffin.
Griffin reassured the parents that any student who is zoned to attend Ellendale would continue to attend the school. The district plans to accept applications from students who live outside the Ellendale attendance boundaries, and possibly even from students outside the Alexander County Schools district, to attend the school. Going to Ellendale will NOT cost the families any money. Ellendale Elementary, now to be called Ellendale Elementary School of Innovation and Inquiry, will still be a free, public school. Griffin pointed out the school will still be required by the state to teach reading, math, science, social studies and more.
Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Amy Bowles added the “what” the students learn will not change, but the “how” will.
Bowles’ explanation of the curriculum seemed to satisfy parent Tiffany Primm. “I’m super excited actually. I have one daughter who has an IEP and she has a hard time learning. So this for me I thought is really exciting because hands-on for her means deeper learning and remembering what she’s learning,” said Primm.
About 125 parents, students, and other family members came to the March 5th event, which also included a visit from Carolina Critters and a showcase of student work.
“I think we had a great turnout tonight of people who are showing interest and want to learn more. I think that we’ve had a lot of positive response in the community for just the little bit of information that we’ve put out,” said Bowles.
Griffin and Bowles added that the style of learning would be an extension of the traditional classroom setting, one that prompts students to ask questions and experiment as they gain knowledge. “We want to serve every student. And what we’re trying to do here is make learning fun and exploratory and innovative and on the cusp of what we feel produces success for students” said Griffin.
Bus transportation will not likely be offered for students from outside the Ellendale district for the 2026-27 school year but ACS will see if hub stops need to be added for the next year. “It’s kind of like that airplane that you build while it’s in motion, in flight, we’ll see and if there’s a vast interest then I’ll try to make decisions that we think are appropriate,” said Griffin.
Bowles said the school will also rely on partnerships with local businesses, service learning opportunities, and guidance from state agencies including the North Carolina School for Science and Math.
District and school Leaders plan to meet next on March 19th with interested families to plan for the school’s next steps.