Blog Archives

Quarter 3 Portrait of a Cougar

4/23/2025

Below are the students who won the Quarter 3 Portrait of a Cougar Awards for the character traits of Leadership and Respect! Congratulations to all the students!
Leadership:

6th Grade: Bryce Smith
7th Grade: De'Ziah Hall
8th Grade: Shayla Mooring
9th Grade: Ronald Gutierrez
10th Grade: Ella Highfil
11th Grade: Regan Cherry
12th Grade: Melaina Gantt

Respect:

6th Grade: Jace Dobbin
7th Grade: Olivia Hernandez
8th Grade: Carmen Pena Escobar
9th Grade: Hailey Toole
10th Grade: Crissie Keith
11th Grade: Gabby Hawk
12th Grade: Noah Highfil

Graduation Announcements!

4/21/2025

Below are some graduation announcements for the class of 25! Congratulations to the students listed below who have worked hard for these accolades.
- Valedictorian: Sydney Matisoff
- Salutatorian: Melaina Gantt
- Chief Marshal: Abbigale Creech
- Junior Marshal: Isabella Strickland
- Junior Marshal: Preeti Patel
- Junior Marshal: Livie Holder
- Junior Marshal: Lillian Ragland
- Junior Marshal: William Hollyfield

4/21 to 4/25 Weekly Update

4/21/2025

There are 9 more instructional days until EOG testing begins. Please ensure your child is coming to school as much as possible to finish out the school year!
Here is a list of end of year testing to be completed:
- 8th Grade Science Check-in's on April 23rd
- Biology Check-in's on April 28th
High School regular bell schedule for school days will end on Wednesday, April 30th. Middle school will still attend all 6 classes until Friday, May 2nd. Here is the final exam testing schedule:
- Thursday May 1st, High School Teacher Made:
  - 1st Period: 7:45-9:50
  - 2nd Period: 9:55-11:55
  - 3rd Period: 12:55-2:55
- Friday May 2nd, High School Teacher Made:
  - 4th Period: 7:45-9:50
  - 5th Period: 9:55-11:55
  - 6th Period: 12:55-2:55
- Tuesday, May 6th: 6-8th ELA EOG
- Thursday, May 8th: 6-8th Math EOG
- Friday, May 9th: 8th Science EOG
- Monday, May 12th: English 2 EOC
- Tuesday, May 13th: Math 1 and Math 3 EOC
- Wednesday, May 14th: Biology EOC
The High School and Middle School Athletic Banquets will take place on Thursday, May 8th. Middle School will be at 5:00 PM and High School will be at 7:00 PM. The Athletic Banquets will be held at the Farm on 95.
Special Olympics will be Thursday and Friday this week! Good luck to the athletes competing in on Thursday and Friday!
Middle School parents, please turn in EOG Motivation letters to your child's homeroom teacher when you get them completed.
If you have a school issued chromebook, they are due back to your homeroom teacher on Wednesday, 4/30.
Here is the form that Ms. Highfil emailed middle school students for 25-26 Middle School Elective Course Offerings. Please fill out the form by Monday, 4/28 at 3:00 PM.
Here are this week's senior spotlights:
- Monday 4/21: Today’s senior spotlight is Cayley Cochran. Cayley has been accepted to Pfeiffer University, Montreat, Campbell University, and Westren Carolina University. Cayley has also signed her letter of intent to play basketball at NC Wesleyan University! Good luck with your future plans Cayley!
- Tuesday 4/22: Today’s senior spotlight is Gerardo Sanchez-Simon. Gerardo has been accepted to Western Carolina, UNC-Charlotte, East Carolina University, and Chowan. Good luck on your future plans Gerardo!
- Wednesday 4/23: Today’s senior spotlight is Leah Sheppard. Leah wants to pursue a degree in health and fitness. Leah has been accepted to Pfeiffer University, St. Andrews College, Methodist University, Davidson-Davie Community College, Campbell University, and Johnson-Wales University. Leah has also signed her letter of intent to play volleyball at Fayetteville Tech University. Good luck with your future plans Leah!
- Thursday 4/24: Today's senior spotlight is Andrew Swindells. Andrew wants to pursue a degree in Business Administration. Andrew has been accepted to Western Carolina, East Carolina, UNC-Asheville, and Appalachian State University. Good luck on your future plans Andrew!
- Friday 4/25: Today's senior spotlight is Donolyjah Tyrell. Donolyjah wants to pursue a degree in Similation Game Design. Donolyjah has been accepted to East Carolina and William Peace University. Good luck on your future plans Donolyjah!
The weekly athletic events are listed below.

End of year exam schedule

4/17/2025

Below is the Upper Academy End of Year Exam Schedule. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Grady at [email protected].

Thank you!

4/14 to 4/17 Weekly UPdate

4/14/2025

I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break! There are 14 more instructional days until EOG and EOC testing begins. Parents please encourage your child to come to school as much as possible between now and when testing begins!
Prom is this Thursday, April 17th. Ticket purchases close on Monday, April 14th and 3:00 PM.
If your child is coming to prom on Thursday, they must be in attendance at school for at least half the day Thursday.
Tomorrow is Purple Up! Day, so don’t forget to wear as much purple as possible and show our support for NCS Military Kids and Families! The homeroom with the most purple will get a free lunch from Ms. Conley! Yes, the whole homeroom! Also, please remember to bring travel-size items for Jessica’s Kindness Bags. See lists in each homeroom for items needed for donation. Let’s help our homeless Veterans! With your help and support, we can make our 1st annual Purple Up! Day a huge success.
NCS will be hosting a spring blood drive on April 15, from 9-5 in the main gym. You must be 18 or 16-17 with a signed parent consent form to donate. You can schedule an appointment on the American Red Cross website or walk in on the day of the event. Please see Kinsey Williams, Melaina Gantt or Mrs. McGinnis for more information and parent consent forms.
The National Honors Society Induction ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 22nd.
Here is a list of end of year testing to be completed:
- English 2 Check-in's on April 16th
- 8th Grade Science Check-in's on April 23rd
- Biology Check-in's on April 28th
High School regular bell schedule for school days will end on Wednesday, April 30th. Middle school will still attend all 6 classes until Friday, May 2nd. Here is the final exam testing schedule:
- Thursday May 1st, High School Teacher Made:
  - 1st Period: 7:45-9:50
  - 2nd Period: 9:55-11:55
  - 3rd Period: 12:55-2:55
- Friday May 2nd, High School Teacher Made:
  - 4th Period: 7:45-9:50
  - 5th Period: 9:55-11:55
  - 6th Period: 12:55-2:55
- Tuesday, May 6th: 6-8th ELA EOG
- Thursday, May 8th: 6-8th Math EOG
- Friday, May 9th: 8th Science EOG
- Monday, May 12th: English 2 EOC
- Tuesday, May 13th: Math 1 and Math 3 EOC
- Wednesday, May 14th: Biology EOC
The High School and Middle School Athletic Banquets will take place on Thursday, May 8th. Middle School will be at 5:00 PM and High School will be at 7:00 PM. The Athletic Banquets will be held at the Farm on 95.
Here are this weeks Senior Spotlights:
- Monday 4/14: Today’s senior spotlight is Noah Highfil. Noah wants to pursue a degree in Business Management. Noah has been accepted to Liberty University. Good luck with your future plans Noah!
- Tuesday 4/15: Today’s senior spotlight is Kimberly Klisiewecz. Estelle wants to pursue a degree in Nursing. Estelle has been accepted to Methodist University, Chowan University, Montreat College, Western Carolina University, Salem College, East Carolina University, Barton College, University of Mount Olive, Bennett College, Pfeiffer University, and NC Wesleyan University. Good luck with your future plans Estelle!
- Wednesday 4/16: Today’s senior spotlight is Sydney Matisoff. Sydney wants to pursue a degree in Occupational Therapy and Early Childhood development speech. Sydney has been accepted to Pfeiffer University, Meredith College, NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Colorado University, and East Carolina University. Good luck on your future plans Sydney!
- Thursday 4/17: Today’s senior spotlight is Lydia Register. Lydia wants to pursue a degree in Psychology. Lydia has been accepted to East Carolina University, Barton College, Campbell, Methodist University, Salem College, Mars Hill, Louisburg College, William Peace, Pfeiffer University, Wesleyan College, UNC-Pembroke, Montreat College, Western Carolina, and UNC-Wilmington. Good luck on your future plans Lydia!
Here are the weekly athletic events:

Quarter 3 Portrait of a Cougar

Graduation Announcements!

4/21 to 4/25 Weekly Update

End of year exam schedule

4/14 to 4/17 Weekly UPdate

Tyler Grady- Academy Director

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