Cabarrus County Schools provide a range of options for students to explore and develop their interests and skills at their academic level.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) program description: Pathways
Career Pathways are the heart of Career & Technical Education. A career pathway is a structured sequence of courses that lead to an industry credential, post-secondary employment or further training and development. The purpose of a career pathway is to guide students through a continuum of courses leading to the development of advanced technical skills.
For more information on CTE in NC, and to learn about Career Clusters, Pathways, and Course Information, Standards, and applicable Credentials please visit: Course Management System.
Early Colleges: The aim of the Early College model is to graduate students who earn a high school diploma as well as two years of transferable college credit or an associate degree all at no cost to their families. The target population for early colleges is first generation college-goers, those seeking a challenging, more rigorous curriculum, or other historically underserved populations.
The Innovative Education Initiatives Act (SL 2003-277, Senate Bill 656) and the Cooperative Innovative High School Programs statute (§ 115C-238.50-.55) encourage Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to partner with their local postsecondary Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to provide cooperative programs jointly in high schools and colleges/universities that will expand students’ opportunities for education success through high quality instructional programming. NC Cooperative Innovative High Schools
Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted (AIG): In NC, school districts must identify and serve academically or intellectually gifted (AIG) K-12 students. These are students who are performing, or have the potential of performing, at high levels of accomplishment in intellectual and/or specific academic areas, such as reading and/or math when compared with other students of their age, or in their grade level, experience, or environment.
The Cabarrus County Schools Local AIG Plan outlines specific opportunities for differentiated, rigorous instruction and accelerated programs. You can find the plan at Cabarrus County Schools Gifted Education Department Page.
CCS has developed an (AIG program brochure/ AIG Parent Handbook or AIG newsletter) to help parents better understand the AIG program. This describes how students will be identified and served across grades K-12. Coming Soon: AIG Brochure/Handbook for parent information.
In Cabarrus County, students are often provided the following services:
- Differentiated curriculum and instruction with flexible student groups;
- Accelerated opportunities (subject and/or grade acceleration, credit by demonstrated mastery (CDM), AP/IB/CIE courses, dual enrollment courses)
- Enrichment experiences, which may be during the school day or beyond, and may be within the regular calendar year or may include summer opportunities; and
- Other opportunities for extension of content standard.
Services for AIG students may be provided by AIG personnel or within the regular classroom by teachers trained to meet the needs of gifted students. (*Share other service delivery personnel as needed).
Contact the district/school AIG Specialist with questions (Geneieve Fast, geneieve.fast@cabarrus.k12.nc.us).
Honors Level Courses: Cabarrus County students have access to a variety of honors level courses in high school. These courses are available in the course catalog located at 2024 Curriculum Course Guide.
Honors level courses typically have a faster pace than standard level courses. They offer additional rigor, complexity and creativity than standard level courses.
Career and College Promise (CCP): Cabarrus County partners with Rowan Cabarrus Community College to offer dual enrollment opportunities through the CCP program. If your high school student qualifies, students may earn high school and college credit.
CCP courses may be taken in the College Transfer or Career and Technical Education pathway. These courses count for both high school and college credit. Tuition is free for families. To learn more about this program, contact your child’s high school counselor or principal. Additional information is available on the RCCC CCP website.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: The Advanced Placement (AP) Program, through College Board, offers students the opportunity to engage in rigorous college-level course work in a high school setting. AP courses are designed for highly motivated and prepared students who seek academic rigor and college credit based on the yearly Advanced Placement Exams. Cabarrus County Schools believes that all students deserve access to the rigor of advanced coursework and can be successful with the appropriate support. Tests are administered by the high school on behalf of the College Board. AP courses support students in cultivating important skills and habits that are essential for college and career readiness. Additionally, students may receive higher consideration for admission to colleges and universities, as well as possible college or university course credit and/or placement. All AP classes follow the recommended syllabi from the College Board. Students are expected to complete extra reading, writing, and project assignments outside of the classroom. CCS offers numerous AP courses throughout the district in the areas of Arts Education, World Languages, English Language Arts, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and others. Specific course offerings vary from school to school.
Students should consider this when thinking about taking advanced courses:
- Ability – How do you work independently?
- Study Habits – How diligently are you willing to work to be successful?
- Work Ethic – How will you manage the increased homework (1-2 hours per night per AP Course)?
- Interest– How interested are you in the curriculum?
- Extra-Curricular Commitments – How busy are you outside of school?
- Post-Secondary Goals – How do you plan on meeting your after high school goals? If a four-year university is a consideration, you may be more qualified if you take AP courses.
Several AP courses satisfy graduation requirements for NC students as outlined in State Board policy.
AP exams are free for NC public high school students enrolled in these courses. If a student registers for an exam late, there will be a fee.
Colleges and universities may likely offer college credit for these courses if your child scores a 3 or above on the exam. All of the colleges in the UNC System award college credit. More information is available on the CollegeBoard website.
AP Capstone is an innovative diploma program from the College Board that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. It is available in a few of our high schools. AP Capstone is built on the foundation of AP Seminar and AP Research and is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study experienced in other AP courses.
Rather than teaching subject-specific content, these courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.
O Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four
additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™.
O Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four
additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.
AP Capstone with STEM Distinction is a Science and Technology driven approach to AP Capstone, available at several of our high schools.
The IB Diploma Programme takes place during the 11th and 12th grade, with 9th and 10th grade courses providing the foundations necessary for success in the program. The rigorous course of study provides a liberal arts curriculum from a global perspective, university-level work, and required examinations that are developed and marked on an international standard. The IB Career Programme takes place in the 11th and 12th grade and allows students to access the same rigorous content of the Diploma Programme while also introducing them to a field of career study. We have IB programs at both Concord High School and West Cabarrus High School.
NCVPS North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) is NC’s state supplemental program and leader in online education, providing inclusive learning opportunities for students across the state. Founded in 2007, with a strong commitment to ensuring quality education for all students, regardless of location, NCVPS has over 16 years of experience serving diverse learners.
Students may enroll in NCVPS courses for a variety of reasons. Work with your school counselor if you are interested in taking NCVPS courses.
Credit by Demonstrated Mastery is the process by which a student may earn credit for a high school course by demonstrating a deep understanding of the content without course enrollment or seat time.
Students will demonstrate mastery through a multiphase process, consisting of:
Phase 1: A standard examination (EOC where applicable) or a final exam developed locally; Score of 90% or higher on exam in
order to proceed to Phase 2;
AND
Phase 2: A portfolio which requires the student to apply knowledge and skills relevant to the content standards.
For more information on Credit Demonstrated by Mastery in Cabarrus County Schools, please visit our Gifted Education Page or contact Geneieve. Fast, AIG Specialist.
Governor’s School: Each summer, NC Governor’s School offers a unique opportunity for high-achieving rising juniors and seniors to learn with their peers from across the state in an 4-week residential program at two college campus sites. For more information on eligibility and the application process, contact Geneieve Fast or visit the North Carolina Governor's School website.
Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics is a no-cost, state-funded program for academically talented North Carolina students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students presently in the 10th or 11th grade in high school whose custodial parents or guardians established legal residency in North Carolina no later than December 1 of the current year can apply to this program. These students must have high academic ability and motivation and have a keen interest in science and mathematics. The program is not designed to provide incentive for students whose academic performance reflects a lack of self-motivation or discipline. Consideration is given to students whose abilities are not accurately reflected in grades and standardized test scores, such as those for whom English is a second language and those who have exceptionalities. Applications are completed online through CFNC.org beginning in October (students must know their CFNC ID). Students should see their counselor for more information. Official application information can be found at the Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics website.
Each high school in Cabarrus County selects 15 juniors with the highest academic averages. Junior Marshal is an honor bestowed on the top academic students from the high school junior class. Junior Marshals attend the Senior Awards Ceremony and Graduation in an honorary and service capacity.
Honor Graduates are classified as follows and weighted GPAs are not rounded up (graduation cords are given prior to graduation):
Summa Cum Laude 4.320+
Magna Cum Laude 4.000-4.319
Cum Laude 3.625-3.999
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
