Education

There are not many things that are more rewarding than seeing children who are excited about learning.

For many who live in southeastern North Carolina, life is all about continuing to learn and grow. On the Cape Fear coast, educational opportunities are all around us. Whether it's formal classes, learning through play or a variety of unique enrichment opportunities, you’ll find an extensive menu of learning experiences here. We have swim classes for six-month-old babies and gymnastics for crawlers. We have Mommy and Me activities and classes geared just for toddlers. We have great public schools, independent or private schools, charter schools, specialty schools, home schools and more. We have incredible and diverse higher education institutions and continuing education programs for anyone at any age. We have free or modestly priced lessons for people who want to try painting, photography, woodworking, gardening and a host of other activities. And we have our historic locale, the rivers, the sea, the wildlife and all the lessons they have to offer us — for free.

For parents who wish to send their children to private schools, there are several that offer education from pre-K through grade 12, and others that offer pre-K or K through grade 8. Many are faith-based. Most are located in New Hanover County, Shallotte, Leland and Southport.

D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, UNCW's K-8 Public School and GLOW Academy The Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW), an all-girls public charter school, opened its doors in 2016 with its first 6th grade class of 100 girls. A new class of 6th graders is added each year until GLOW is fully enrolled from 6th through 12th grade in the 20222023 school year. Currently, GLOW is home to 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th, 10th graders for the 2020-2021 school year. At our school we work hard to create a unique single-gender public charter school environment that focuses on rigorous college preparatory education and the personal skills necessary for a successful college experience leading to graduation. The school culture challenges students to live a balanced life that develops confidence and compassion, critical thinking and personal responsibility.

NEW HANOVER SCHOOLS

New Hanover County has the 12th largest public school system in the state with more than 26,000 students in grades pre-K through 12. The system includes three pre-K centers, 25 elementary schools, seven middle schools, four traditional high schools, four early college, career and technical high schools and two alternative schools. Over the years, the NHC School System has received numerous national and state awards and has been recognized for its academic programs and professional development.

Not part of the New Hanover County School System are five state-funded, tuition-free, public charter schools open to all North Carolina children. Cape Fear Center for Inquiry in Wilmington (K-8) focuses on promoting a student’s abilities to think and create in personally meaningful ways through an inquirybased, integrated curriculum. The Wilmington Preparatory Academy (K-8) is a year-round, official Core Knowledge School. The curriculum is highly structured, based on the idea that new knowledge builds on what student’s already know, so they are offered a coherent sequence of specific knowledge that builds year by year. The Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW) is Wilmington’s first singlegender charter school with a focus on preparing students for successful college admission, college graduation and citizenship through life.

PENDER SCHOOLS

Increasingly, young families with children have been attracted to Pender County primarily because of its innovative and proactive school system. The district has pioneered in using virtual world technology for staff development and video games in the classroom. Pender County residents recognize the importance of a school system that offers opportunities for all children.

The Pender County School District comprises eight elementary schools, five middle schools, one K-8 year-round school and four high schools. There is a mix of suburban and rural communities in Pender County, one of the fastest growing in the state. A total of 9,900 students are enrolled in the country’s 18 schools.

BRUNSWICK SCHOOLS

Twenty schools fall under the Brunswick County Schools umbrella encompassing pre-K through grade 12, all running on a traditional school calendar with a total enrollment of 12,534. The official breakdown is ten elementary, five middle and five high schools, although Waccamaw School has students in kindergarten through eighth grade, actually making it a combined elementary and middle school.

The system includes traditional curricula, alternative education programs and an Early College High School. The latter affords students the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree in four to five years.

In North Carolina, homeschooling is a legal option for a parent or other responsible party to provide a child with academic instruction at home or other setting rather than in a formal school. Eligible students are children (ages 6 to 17) in a grade equivalent to at least kindergarten and not higher than 12th grade. The number of students has grown each year for many years.

The most recent information available is for the 2018-19 school year. New Hanover County reported 1,452 schools serving 2,194 students. Pender County had 683 home schools with 1,100 students. Brunswick County has 1,121 schools educating 1,685 students.

Requirements and other information are available through the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE).

LEARNING CAN BE FUN

The Cape Fear area offers various kinds of educational activities for children from toddlerhood through high school age. A host of enrichment programs supplement the activities taught in the schools and are especially helpful at a time when so many school arts and science activities have been eliminated or dramatically curtailed. At the following facilities, learning is all about fun and exploration

Thalian Association Youth Theater Wilmington Phone (910) 251-1788 thalian.org

Wilmington is extremely fortunate to have the Thalian Association Youth Theater (TAYT), which offers theatrical training and performance opportunities, with most auditions open for children ages 7 through high school seniors. TAYT remains dedicated to “the enrichment of arts education for our community’s youth.” And what a great place for talented kids to grow — right in the heart of “Wilmywood” with its thriving film industry and nurturing arts community.

Children may choose to be involved on stage as actors or back stage as part of the technical production team. Five productions each year are held at the

Community Arts Center, 120 South 2nd Street, in the Hannah Block Historic USO building. For information and class reservations, call (910) 341-7860. The TAYT productions are regularly honored with Wilmington Theater Award for Best Children’s Production.

TACT Academy offers an opportunity for young people to create and explore the arts in a non-audition based setting for students ages 4 through high school. Designed to help students better understand theater in all its facets, an array of classes, taught by a large group of talented instructors, enables students to discover their strength, learn new skills and build self-confidence within a nurturing atmosphere. TACT Academy offers Fall and spring semesters with a showcase for students at the end of each session. The classes are held at the Hannah Block Historic USO Building and at First Baptist Activity Center on Independence Boulevard. The classes are affordable and scholarship opportunities are available.

Airlie Gardens 300 Airlie Road Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone (910) 798-7700 airliegardens.org

During the summer months you are invited to take part in a butterfly release at Airlie Garden's Butterfly House exhibit. An educator will be in the Butterfly House to inform visitors about the butterfly life cycle and Airlie’s current housed species of native butterflies. Visitors will then get to experience a butterfly release in the Butterfly House! In case of rain, an educator will be in the classroom and guests will still be able to observe butterflies. Butterfly releases are free for Airlie members and included with garden admission. No preregistration is required, just check in at the ticket desk upon arrival.

For the ninth year in a row, Airlie Gardens is excited to host their annual art exhibit. This year’s exhibit, "It's Owl Good," will take place within the gardens from July through December. Airlie Gardens has chosen 10 artists or teams of artists to decorate, paint and otherwise adorn oversized 4-foot-tall fiberglass owl models as part of the exhibit. These owls will be placed throughout the grounds for guests to enjoy as part of their garden experience. The exhibit is included in general garden admission and free for Airlie Members.

HOST OF PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

Many cultural organizations offer programs that enable adults to pursue their interests at reasonable costs. The Cameron Art Museum’s Museum School offers several art courses, including art history, drawing, painting, print making/ mixed media and photography courses for beginners as well as those who want to improve their skills. Additionally, beginning and experienced writers can learn from local authors through the creative writing workshops. Through the healthy living program, the CAM offers an introduction to T’ai Chi and yoga classes.

Many people who move here from other parts of the country are very interested in learning about the plants native to this area. Based at the New Hanover County Arboretum, New Hanover County Extension offers a Master Gardener program to educate plant enthusiasts about research-based, sustainable gardening. Between 40 or 50 people enroll in this rewarding program each year and complete 40 hours of classroom instruction followed by 50 hours of volunteer service.

Pender County Extension offers a Master Gardener program in January each year. Graduates of the program volunteer to appear periodically in places such as Poplar Grove’s Farmers Market and the Blueberry Festival in Burgaw where they help others answer their gardening questions.

Brunswick County also offers a Master Gardeners program. Their association provides an informational Newcomers packet to residents to help make the transition to gardening in a subtropical environment a little easier. The programs in all three counties counties are part of the NC State University and A&T State University Cooperative Extension that has been “empowering people and providing solutions” for 100 years.

EXCELLENT HIGHER EDUCATION

Whatever you’re seeking, be it a technology certificate or an advanced academic degree, you may be surprised to find it’s probably available in our area. We have one major university, two private colleges and two community colleges that offer hundreds of programs for your choosing.

UNC WILMINGTON

In the fall of 2019, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) boasted a record-setting enrollment of 14,785 undergraduate and 2,714 graduate students registered in five distinct areas: Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Services, Business, Education, and Graduate studies. The university offers 56 bachelor’s degrees, (including the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program in coastal engineering), 36 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees. The university invested $400 million in campus construction and renovation to include Veterans Hall, two new residence halls, the Central Parking Deck and Dobo Hall, fully restored following damage

by Hurricane Florence in 2018. UNCW’s renowned Center for Marine Science includes a state-of-the-art facility on the Intracoastal Waterway at Myrtle Grove.

UNCW moved from the Regional Universities category to National Universities in US. News & World Report’s rankings of colleges and universities, ranking 92nd among Top Public National Universities on the publication’s list of Best Colleges 2020. The university also ranked 8th nationally on the U.S. News list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and 6th nationally among Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.

UNCW also offers family-friendly programs including arts activities, athletic and recreational events, and MarineQuest science outreach and summer camps.

CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) strives to provide educational opportunities and training for the Wilmington area. CFCC provides diverse academic, vocational and technical instruction for students who want to acquire new skills, expand their career options or keep pace with ever-changing occupational requirements.

Cape Fear Community College serves more than 23,000 students each year and is the sixth largest among North Carolina’s 71 community colleges. In addition to its main campus in downtown Wilmington, CFCC also has a campus in Castle Hayne and centers in Burgaw and Surf City in Pender County.

Over 160 programs of study in a wide range of occupations and hundreds of job training opportunities are available for low tuition fee. CFCC also offers a twoyear college transfer curriculum that meets requirements for admission to four-year institutions in the University of North Carolina System. A Career and College Promise program for qualified high school students is also available. CFCC offers twoyear associate degrees in Engineering, Arts, Fine Arts, General Education and Science. Diplomas and certificates are also available in many disciplines.

BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Community College (BCC) is accredited to award associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Some 30 formal courses of study are offered, along with a wide array of continuing education and distance learning classes. Individuals have access to more than 300 online courses through BCC’s Ed2Go program. Additionally, there are 14 associate degree programs that allow students to transfer credits to a four-year college. The college also offers eligible high school students a High School Pathways (Career and College Promise program that provides tuition-free seamless dual enrollment educational opportunities.

Located on the college’s main campus, the Brunswick Interagency Program provides comprehensive education and vocational services designed for adults with developmental disabilities.

Also associated with BCC is the Brunswick Educational Transition Center, which serves residents whose first language is not English. Through its New and Expanding Industry Program and its Small Business Center, BCC works closely with area business and industry to tailor skills training to their needs.

MORE COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES

Christian faith-based values provide the foundation for the University of Mount Olive’s mission, environment and curriculum. One of its seven campuses is located in Wilmington. This private, four-year college offers 40-plus majors; it offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts and professional studies as well as an MBA program. The University of Mount Olive has small classes, flexible scheduling, many online courses, and one night per week academic programs specifically designed for working adults. Another private institution of higher learning in Wilmington is Miller-Motte College, which is one among a chain of Miller-Motte colleges throughout the Southern United States offering certificates, diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees in a variety of career-oriented disciplines. The local campus curriculum is known especially for its Massage Therapy, Cosmetology, Esthetics Technology, and Microcomputer Applications Network Administration. Online opportunities are available for bachelor programs in

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Thanks to many academic, healthcare and cultural institutions, there are a cornucopia of learning opportunities that go beyond diplomas and degrees. You can find a class on just about anything you desire. Besides an enormous pool of public offerings, plenty of instructional courses are available through private businesses and nonprofit and professional organizations.

Both community colleges and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington publish catalogs listing their continuing education, public service and personal enrichment studies. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCW has an extensive and diverse menu of educational experiences.

Cape Fear Community College’s Continuing Education Department provides a broad range of training programs and classes that prepare individuals for employment, update knowledge and skills of those already employed, and open doors of opportunity to others. For those who want to take college courses for personal development rather than working toward a degree, diploma or certificate, CFCC admits students as Special Credit or Lifelong Learners. Post-secondary transcripts are necessary for admission and students must meet all prerequisites and placement testing requirements.

North Carolina Wesleyan College’s Adult Studies are nonresidential, baccalaureate degree programs designed to meet the educational needs of adult learners. The Office of Adult & Professional Studies allows mature women and men to tailor their degree work to meet personal, career and life goals. Because mature adults are highly motivated and capable of self-directed learning, adult learners can take advantage of 8-week, hybrid and online classes, as well as opportunities for earning credit through alternative options such as CLEP and DSST testing.

Also, an amazingly wide variety of activities, programs and classes are available through the New Hanover County Department of Aging’s Senior Resource Center, Brunswick Senior Resources and Pender Adult Services. Print and online newsletters contain specifics about each offering. 