Appalachian State University
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Academy at Middle Fork
The Academy at Middle Fork opened in August 2018 in collaboration with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The school serves approximately 300 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The Academy at Middle Fork is an innovative learning community that is committed to creating pathways and opportunities for lifelong learning and positive community impact. The lab school is committed to creating an innovative learning space for students and staff by challenging the status quo and rethinking what school should look like for students and teachers.
What is a lab school?
UNC System lab schools are designed to provide enhanced educational programming to improve student performance and to plan demonstration sites for the preparation of future teachers and school administrators.
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Lab schools are a partnership between the UNC System, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, a UNC university that has a strong educator preparation program, and a local school district. Lab schools operate for a minimum of five years.
There are three main priorities for all UNC System lab schools:
- Redefine and strengthen university partnerships with public schools
- Improve student outcomes; and
- Provide high-quality teacher and principal training.
Lab schools were mandated by the state legislature and executed by the UNC Board of Governors in compliance with North Carolina House Bill 1030. Governance and operation legislation was modified in North Carolina House Bill 532.
Innovations in education
Lab schools are granted the flexibility to be innovative. They are designed to propose solutions to current educational challenges that improve educational outcomes for students.
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The core values of App State’s lab school — Honesty, Integrity, Kindness and Excellence (HIKE) — promote a positive school culture and behavior support system.
Students, also known as mini-Mountaineers, work individually and collaboratively to demonstrate these values. Restorative meetings centered on community development and building relationships help to resolve conflicts and encourage students and teachers to learn together.
The role of the university
App State provides enhanced educational programming to lab school staff and students and serves as the school's "central office":
- Curriculum development and support
- Professional development
- Co-teaching and modeling
- Arts-based programming
- Field trips
- Guest speakers
- Access to pre-service teachers and principals
- Research in current educational practices
- Financial support