Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis/Communications Director
About 30 parents turned out March 19th to hear Alexander County Schools plans to create a STEM focus for Ellendale Elementary School. For the 2026-27 year, the school will be called Ellendale Elementary School of Innovation and Inquiry. The district plans to use more hands-on and discovery learning at Ellendale to help students learn the state standards.
Families with students from outside the Ellendale school boundaries will be able to apply to go to the school. Some parents believe hands-on learning will be better for their child and help keep the student’s attention.
“My son has a hard time focusing on just the regular stuff. We have STEM stuff at home that really interests him. He likes building. He likes coloring. He likes the science aspect of it. We have a coding robot that he codes with, so this is right up his alley,” says parent Alicia Eades.
Eades says Ellendale is only about 15 minutes from her house, so she would be able to bring her child to school. It is not expected that bus transportation will be available in the first year for those who elect to go to Ellendale and are outside the district. However, transportation may be added in later years.
Other parents were intrigued with the school’s concept and came to learn more.
For Hannah Herman, she says Ellendale would be a good location for her based on where she works. “I do think this is a good thing. I don’t really have a question about STEM itself. I hear it’s very good,” says Herman.
Applications open March 30 and will run through April 17. The district intends to let families know if they’re accepted to Ellendale by April 24th.
Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin and Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Amy Bowles will have similar online sessions coming up March 26th at 11:30am and 5:30pm. Links to take part in the online conversation will be shared through the Alexander County Schools social media pages and on the district website www.alexander.k12.nc.us