Aggie Academy Celebrates Conclusion of Successful Inaugural Academic Year

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 13, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s flourishing Aggie Academy is celebrating an incredible end to its inaugural academic year.

Aggie Academy, the North Carolina System Laboratory School overseen by the university in partnership with Guilford County Schools, provided its 68 students in grades 3-5 with a culturally responsive curriculum that allowed them to learn through world-class innovative experiences. N.C. A&T is the state’s only historically Black college or university with a lab school.

“I am so incredibly proud of our first year of operation in Aggie Academy. Our successful year is a testament to the fact that amazing things can happen when our Aggie community comes together,” said Paula G. Price, Ph.D., College of Education (CoEd) dean. “We have far exceeded many of our academic goals for our Junior Aggie Scholars, and our Educator Preparation programs are fully integrated into the school, making us a model site for practice-based teacher education.”

With access to the latest instructional and student success best practices from A&T’s award-winning CoEd, Aggie Academy focuses on instruction and learning in science, technology, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

Aggie Academy students enjoyed small class sizes with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio, one-on-one technology, individualized small group tutoring, and A&T laboratories to learn about science. Students also were able to take advantage of 3D printing and coding projects.

“In partnership with Curriculum Associates, our students utilized their curriculum resources and diagnostic assessments this school year and far exceeded expected growth in both reading and math for every grade level,” said Aggie Academy Principal Janel N. Harris.

Additionally, Aggie Academy’s extended learning program was supported by Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools’ after school program, which provided students’ families with free after school care at the school.

Enrollment at Aggie Academy in its inaugural school year was open to Guilford County students who would be in third, fourth or fifth grades in Fall 2022, with an emphasis on East Greensboro students.

Guilford County Schools provided bus transportation to the school, as well as meal services for students.

“Aggie Academy is fulfilling its promise and the partnership with N.C. A&T will positively impact the mission to advance the human condition and facilitate economic growth for the state,” said Beryl McEwen, Ph.D., Aggie Academy advisory board chair and A&T provost emerita.

During their September 2022 visit to the A&T campus, both First Lady Jill Biden and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona lauded Aggie Academy for providing its students with a quality STEAM education and giving CoEd students practical, hands-on classroom experience.

The laboratory school concept relates to universities implementing research-based educational strategies while also providing opportunities for education students to work with children.