News

County dedicates Innovative High School

Henderson County, school system and BRCC officials cut ribbon for the Innovative High School on Thursday.

By Natasha Townsend, Published: August 24, 2017

The new Innovative High School brings Henderson County together through Henderson County Commissioners, Henderson County Public Schools and Blue Ridge Community College, just in time for the 2017-2018 academic school year, which begins Monday, Aug. 28.

Henderson County Career Academy, formerly known as Balfour Education Center, will move into the new school and join the Early College program, which has been housed on the BRCC campus since 2009. Early College students will take classes to obtain their associates degree, while Career Academy students will take classes in fire training, mechatronics, culinary arts, art and business to obtain applied science certificates and degrees.
“We’re putting kids in career paths, and when they’re juniors and seniors they can take college classes at Blue Ridge into the trade degree and certificate programs,” said Kent Parent, one of the new principals, formerly the principal of Balfour Education Center. “They’re more likely to enter the work force after high school, so we’re giving them opportunities to get certificates so they can be more marketable,” he added about his students.
The modern school comes with new features that the Early College and Balfour schools lacked. The art room has a kiln and touch screens for students to learn from, chemistry labs provide real-world learning and the fire training academy comes equipped with its own fire truck.
“The Innovative High School will meet the needs of students who know where they want to be going the day after graduation, be that an employment certification, an associate degree, a four-year university program or workforce preparation,” said Henderson County School Board Chair Amy Lynn Holt.
The $15 million project, funded by Henderson County Board of Commissioners, was constructed by Beverly-Grant Barnhill and designed by Clark Nexsen, with Chad Roberson as the principal architect. The school took 10 months to build, with construction starting in October 2016. The facility is 50,000 square feet and will house 500 children now but has a capacity of 800. Small classes will be a focus, with many technical education programs offered to students. Career Academy students will graduate with a high school diploma and college credit and Early College students will graduate with an associate degree after five years. While those in Career Academy will take separate classes from Early College students in the new school, they will all have the opportunity to take Blue Ridge Community College courses at the campus next door.
A ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday drew a large crowd of community members pleaded to see Henderson County’s joint venture come to fruition. A flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol and presented by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr was raised.
“We’re supportive of the concept of bringing the community college, the early college and everything together,” Michael Edney, Chairman of the Henderson County Commissioners, said. “Our kids have to have the best opportunities possible. This concept meets the needs of all the kids, no matter what their career path is. It also helps create an atmosphere and a place for learning that will motivate kids to want to do better.”
“What a tremendous opportunity for Henderson County Public School students to take classes in a brand new facility, but also have available right next door Blue Ridge Community College to be able to expand their education all in the four to five years they’re with us,” Superintendent Bo Caldwell added.