At the regular business meeting on Monday, the Board of Education appointed Ashlee Ciccone to serve as the founding principal of Moore Innovative High School (working title), effective Jan. 10, 2025.
Moore Innovative High School is considered an early college. An early college is a common term for learning at university and community college campuses in cooperation with a public high school. Students attend tuition-free with access to free tutors and receive high school diplomas and college credits. The new school will be at the Sandhills Community College campus.
“Mrs. Ciccone’s extensive experience and unwavering commitment to educational excellence are expected to have a transformative impact on students, staff, and the wider community,” said the school district in a news release. “With 26 years of experience in education, Mrs. Ciccone is a seasoned leader with a robust background as a middle school teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal in North Carolina and South Carolina.”
She earned a Master of School Administration from North Carolina State University in 2004 and joined Moore County Schools in 2007 as Assistant Principal of West Pine Middle School. In 2012, she was appointed Curriculum Specialist for Advanced Studies and Social Studies, and the following year, she became Principal of Pinehurst Elementary School, where she has served for the past 11 years.
Superintendent Dr. Tim Locklair commended Ciccone’s contributions, noting her potential to shape the direction of Moore Innovative High School and provide students with a dynamic, forward-thinking educational experience.
“This leadership appointment underscores Moore County Schools’ commitment to fostering innovative, inclusive, and high-achieving learning environments across the district while continuing to offer excellent choices for our parents and students,” said Locklair.
The district announced her accomplishments as follows:
● Achieving expected or exceeded growth annually, recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) since 2013
● Named Moore County Schools Principal of the Year in 2017
● Leading Pinehurst Elementary to be among the Top 25 Growth Schools in North Carolina (NCDPI, 2017)
● Receiving annual recognition as a North Carolina Purple Star School for military family support since 2017
● Earning PBIS Green Ribbon School status from NCDPI in 2017 and 2018
● Selected by NCDPI as a Professional Learning Community exemplar in 2020
● Recognized for Distinguished Leadership in a Remote Learning Environment by NCPAPA in 2021
● Presented early LETRS implementation to the North Carolina State Board of Education and at the NC AIM Conference in 2022
● Achieving International Model PLC School Recognition by Solution Tree in 2023
● Recipient of the inaugural “North Carolina True Trailblazer Award” by NCDPI in 2023
● Ranking in the top 1% for growth across North Carolina schools (EVAAS, 2023 and 2024)
● Receiving an “A” rating for exemplary student achievement from NCDPI in 2023 and 2024
In conjunction with Ciccone’s appointment, Jeni Wiley has been named Interim Principal of Pinehurst Elementary School, effective Jan. 10, 2025.
Wiley retired in early 2024 after a distinguished 30-year career. In her first year with Moore County Schools, she was named Teacher of the Year at New Century Middle School. Her administrative experience includes three years as Principal of Elise Middle School and four years as Principal of West Pine Middle School, where she earned Moore County Schools Principal of the Year for 2021-2022.
“Mrs. Wiley will provide experienced leadership at Pinehurst Elementary, allowing the district time to identify the right successor to continue Mrs. Ciccone’s legacy of excellence,” said the school district.
Feature photo: Ashlee Ciccone, founding Principal of Moore Innovative High School.
Contributed article and photos.
