The inaugural class of Moore Innovative High School made history on Thursday as they began their high school journey for the 2025–26 school year.
“Special thanks to Senator Tom McInnis and Sandhills Community College President Dr. Sandy Stewart for joining MCS Superintendent Dr. Tim Locklair in welcoming students this morning,” said Moore County Schools on its Facebook page on Thursday about the early college. “Principal Ciccone gathered students in the hallway and encouraged them to pause and soak in the moment—because just a couple of months ago they were in middle school, and today… they became part of history.”
Sixty-five students are enrolled in the new high school that is temporarily located in Van Duesen Hall at Sandhills Community College.
“In collaboration between the two educational institutions and funding from the state general assembly, students will earn both a high school diploma and earn as many workforce credentials in the skills trades or something similar during their four years on campus,” said Sandhills Community College on its Facebook page on Thursday.
Staffing, courses, meals and transportation are provided by Moore County Schools.
Early colleges focus on first-generation students, students at risk for dropping out, and other students historically underrepresented in higher education.
The next phases of Moore Innovated High School will be the design and construction of a building on the Sandhills Community College campus, with the goal of completion by fall of 2027.
While those phases are taking place, the second floor of Van Dusen Hall is hosting at least the first two cohorts of students. This concept will be like the efforts at Sandhoke Early College High School in Hoke County, but serve a different population of students while offering additional experiences on campus and in the classrooms. By the students’ junior and senior years, they will start integrating classroom and hands-on experiences within the college environment, with the potential of earning an associate degree as a super senior if they wish.
McInnis noted in March that North Carolina has been recognized as the No. 1 or No. 2 state for business for the past three years, bringing a surge in job demand. By 2031, there are projected to be 576,000 annual job openings in the state, and 68% of those will require a postsecondary or high-quality credential.
Feature photo: Sen. Tom McInnis high-fives a new Moore Innovative High School student on Aug. 7 with Sandhills Community College President Sandy Stewart and Moore County Schools Superintendent Tim Lockair looking on—all photos provided by Moore County Schools.
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