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Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies Archives - North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools

May 18
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Round-up of coverage from National Charter Schools Week

By News

 

 

Aviation II students at Northeast Academy for Aerospace & Advanced Technologies. Courtesy of NEAAAT/EdNC.

National Charter Schools Week ended on Saturday, and we had a great time highlighting innovation at public charter schools. This year’s NCSW theme was “Building the Workforce of Tomorrow.”

Here’s an excerpt below from an EdNC perspective piece written by Coalition Exec. Director Dave Machado:

This week, communities across the country celebrate National Charter Schools Week, recognizing the nearly 4 million families nationwide that choose a public charter school education.

Here at home, our state ranks fourth in the nation for charter school enrollment growth, adding more than 31,000 additional students over the past five years. Today, more than 160,000 North Carolina children attend a public charter school, each representing parents making a deliberate choice for their child.

But enrollment numbers only tell part of the story. The greater impact comes from what’s happening inside these schools — and what it means for North Carolina’s economic future.

Our state faces a workforce challenge: The UNC System estimates North Carolina will add 260,000 new jobs over the next decade, requiring skilled workers to fill positions in manufacturing, technology, health sciences, and aerospace.

The question is whether our education system is prepared to deliver them. Across North Carolina, public charter schools are answering that question by offering innovative curricular options and technical training.

Just consider this recent Facebook post from the Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies (NEAAAT), an Elizabeth City charter school that’s six miles from one of the largest Coast Guard air stations in the country: “NEAAAT, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center and Airbus Helicopters, is the recipient of the shell and engine parts of an MH-65 Dolphin. This expands aviation students from prototypes to real world application right here in Elizabeth City!”

Do you think maybe they’re doing something right?

Read the full article here.

What are some other highlights from the week?

North Carolina Rep. John Torbett (R-Gaston) also shared a legislative resolution in honor of National Charter Schools Week.

Apr 11
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Three Coalition member schools win 2025 Impact Awards from Building Hope

By News

We’re so pleased to share the news that three Coalition member schools have won 2025 Impact Awards from Building Hope! A nonprofit organization, Building Hope works with charter schools to provide facilities, financing, and operational services.

This year’s awardees include 12 charter schools in nine states–with four of the schools hailing from North Carolina. Three 2025 awardees are Coalition member schools: Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies, Reaching All Minds Academy, and Sallie B. Howard School.

The awards, which include a total of $160,000 in grants, according to Building Hope, will be conferred at the organization’s Impact Summit taking place in Miami, Florida, on May 6-7, 2025.

According to Building Hope, here are the 2025 awardees:

Joseph Bruno Charter Leadership Award

Community Engagement Award 

Educational Innovation Award 

Student Empowerment Award

Building Hope’s 2025 Impact Award winners. Map graphic courtesy of Building Hope.

As Building Hope’s release noted:

“These inspiring educational models with passionate, dedicated leaders are beacons of hope for the future of education,” said Chief Impact Officer and Chair of the IMPACT Selection Committee Sherilyn Moore. “We are honored to shine a light on their amazing work to uplift students, families, and communities.”

Congratulations to these amazing schools! This is such an impressive showing from North Carolina’s charter school sector–and from our Coalition member schools. 

Read more about this year’s awards from Building Hope. 

Mar 25
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Stanford’s Hoover Inst. highlights NEAAAT’s innovation

By News

NEAAAT, or Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies, is the subject of a new spotlight piece from Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. The article highlights the school’s innovative approach to student learning as well as projects currently underway.

A public charter school located in Elizabeth City, NEAAAT educates more than 750 students in grades 5-12 within a STEM-focused curriculum. In recent years, the school’s curriculum and project-based learning approach have led to numerous recognitions and accolades. Last September, for instance, NEAAAT won a prestigious Yass Prize semi-finalist award valued at more than $200,000. NEAAAT also focuses on inculcating specific mindsets, skillsets, and toolsets in students. (Read our Q&A with NEAAAT teacher Jake Bryson or learn more about NEAAAT’s recognition from the Canopy Project.)

Here’s an excerpt from Hoover’s spotlight, sharing current innovations at NEAAAT:

  • A new, custom-built app for mastery learning. This new app, being developed with focus group feedback, will feature a data dashboard on student outcomes, providing students and families with real-time feedback aligned to NEAAAT’s mindsets, skillsets, and toolsets. NEAAAT is working on this innovative app in response to student and parent requests for real-time personalized feedback instead of a traditional reporting period.

  • Systems alignment. NEAAAT is currently working to better align their curriculum and instructional supports to the Profile of a Graduate, ensuring a more coherent program of anytime, anywhere competency-based learning.

  • Portrait of a Coach. Building off their Portrait of a Graduate, NEAAAT is also working to develop a Portrait of a Coach, better defining the skills and competencies that make education professionals successful in executing NEAAAT’s unique instructional model.

Read the full Hoover Institution spotlight piece. Congratulations, NEAAAT! We’re so proud of all of your accomplishments and innovative work with students.

NEAAAT is a Coalition member school.

Photo: Courtesy of NEAAAT.

Sep 10
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NC Charter School NEAAAT Wins Prestigious National Prize

By Awards, News

A North Carolina charter school and Coalition member, Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies (NEAAAT), has won a prestigious national award valued at more than $200,000. Known as the Yass Prize, the award honors education providers who fulfill the objectives of the STOP acronym by offering an education that is Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless.

The Yass Foundation, which administers the Yass Prize, announced the awards last week. Awardees were selected from thousands of applicants, with over 850 judges weighing in, according to Yass. Each semifinalist award is valued at a minimum of $200,000, and will be used to target growth and expansion efforts.

We congratulate each of the 25 semifinalists below, but especially NEAAAT. We’re so proud of your accomplishment!

Semifinalists include:

  • An Achievable Dream in Newport News, VA
  • Aurora Science & Technical School in Aurora, CO
  • Big Picture Learning Company in Providence, RI
  • Bob Hope School in Port Arthur, TX
  • Boddle Learning (National)
  • Bridgeway Academy in Columbus, OH
  • Cafe Momentum (National)
  • Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School in Bronx, NY
  • Freedom Institute of Collier County in Naples, FL
  • Freedom Preparatory Academy in Memphis, TN, and Birmingham, AL
  • Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, MA
  • Liberty STEAM Charter School in Sumter, SC
  • Liguori Academy in Philadelphia, PA
  • Northeast Academy for Aerospace & Advanced Technologies in Elizabeth City, NC
  • Notre Dame School of Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI
  • Onward Learning in Martin, SD
  • Parents Challenge in Colorado Springs, CO
  • Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Primer Microschools Foundation in Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Rural Schools Innovation Zone in Premont, TX
  • Short Answer in Louisville, NE
  • Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies in Manchester, NH
  • St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans, LA
  • Vimenti in San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • WIN Academy at Bridge Valley Community & Technical College in South Charleston, WV

Learn more about the 2024 Yass Prize Semifinalists here. View the list of awardees here. See NEAAAT’s Facebook post about the Yass Prize. Watch Thursday’s recorded livestream announcement below.

Photo credit above: NEAAAT/Facebook.