Special Programs

American Sign Language

Middle school students have daily ASL classes in addition to English Language Arts classes. Teachers meet weekly to plan and collaborate a dual language approach using a bilingual curriculum.

Biotechnology

An exciting ongoing collaboration with NC State University’s Biotechnology Department and the North Carolina School for the Deaf provides unique opportunities in the field of biotechnology. The University’s goal is to expand their classroom resources and better equip their teachers with tools to teach all different types of learners. By employing the principles of universal design in learning, NC State professors renovated the content of the freshman course “BIT 100: Current Topics in Biotechnology,” to make these labs accessible to students of all learning styles, not just those who are deaf. Throughout the year, NC State students and professors visit NCSD and NCSD students visit the lab on the university’s campus.

Innovation Room

Innovation Room is a collaborative learning environment where students come together to share materials and learn new skills. In addition, Innovation Room provides opportunities for participatory and project-based learning, which is a guiding framework for STEM Education.

Project New Media Literacies identifies these principles of participatory learning:

• Heightened motivation and new forms of engagement through meaningful play and experimentation
• Learning that feels relevant to students’ identities and interests
• Opportunities for creating using a variety media, tools, and practices

Career Technical Education

CTE- Learning that Works- exploratory and introductory courses in middle school expose students to a variety of fields, in rigorous and relevant learning environments. Courses include: Computer Skills & Applications, Exploring Career Decisions, Exploring Agricultural Science, and Technology Design.

Gateway

Gateway is the middle school component of Project Lead the Way. Gateway provides engineering, biomedical, and computer science curriculum for students that challenges and inspires. Students get rigorous and relevant experiences through activity-, project-, and problem-based learning. They use industry-leading technology to solve problems while gaining skills in communication, collaboration, critical-thinking, and creativity.

Instrumental Enrichment

Instrumental Enrichment is a curriculum designed to enhance the cognitive functions necessary for academic learning and achievement. The fundamental basis of the program is that intelligence is dynamic and modifiable, not static or fixed. The program seeks to develop fundamental thinking skills, providing students with the concepts, skills, strategies, operations, and techniques necessary to function as independent learners.

Character Education

Character Education focuses on developing positive character values which will serve them a lifetime. The PATHS curriculum is followed in classrooms, pull-outs, and in the dorm. With support from our Behavior Health Team, positive lessons and reward systems help students learn and model responsible behavior.