Based on Parents’ Bill of Rights – SB 49; Session Law 2023-106
It is Henderson Collegiate’s goal to offer parents and guardians access to information regarding student achievement via this Parent’s Guide to Student Achievement (PGSA). Should you wish to obtain paper copies of this document and its contents, you can make a request through your child’s respective school.
| 1a) How can my child be promoted to the next grade level? |
The following are the relevant State and local requirements for a child to be promoted to the next grade level. The relevant part of this link is found in Part 1A (pp. 15-28) regarding retention, promotion, alternatives to show reading proficiency, etc. N.C. Grade Level Promotion Guide.
For information about Henderson Collegiate’s Promotion and Accountability procedures and Graduation Requirements, please refer to the School’s Student Handbook on the School’s website.
The following information covers minimum state graduation requirements from the state to earn a diploma and graduate. It also covers specific cohort information. Local school districts and other public school units may require additional courses and credits to graduate. Information on NC High School Graduation Requirements.
For more information on Cabarrus County Schools graduation requirements, please refer to the School’s Student Handbook on the School’s website.
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| 1b) What is my child learning at school? How can a parent review these materials? |
In North Carolina, all schools use the same Standard Course of Study, determined by the State Board of Education. These standards are the knowledge and skills students should understand by the end of each grade/course.
The following standards can be found on the website below: Arts Education, Career Technical Education, Computer Science, English Language Arts, English Language Development, Student Success Standards, Healthful Living, Information and Technology, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Language. NCDPI Office of Academic Standards website
Local districts, schools and teachers determine how to teach these standards, including curriculum, supplementary materials, books, etc.
For more information about the curriculum used at Henderson Collegiate, as well as our policies for reviewing the curriculum, please refer to the Student Handbook located on Henderson Collegiate’s website.
HEALTHFUL LIVING: Reproductive Health and Safety
For more information see Policy 6100 Goals of Student Health Services and Policy 6140 Student Wellness. Henderson Collegiate is committed to a sound school health program that provides students with accurate information and encourages them to be responsible for their own health and behavior. The district recognizes the primary role of parents/guardians in providing for the health and well-being of their children and seeks to involve parents/guardians in the schools. The school health education program provided by the district will meet all requirements established by state and federal law. The school health education program will meet all objectives in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study adopted by the State Board of Education. Curriculum materials are accessible upon request following the procedures listed in our Student Handbook on the Henderson Collegiate website.
The school health education program will be taught to students from grades K-12. Between grades 7-12 students are taught Reproductive Health and Safety (Family Life Education). Every effort has been made to provide quality Family Life Education instruction for your child. Teachers have received special training and will only use approved curriculum materials and supplements when teaching in the classroom.
Each school will communicate with parents prior to beginning the Reproductive Health and Safety Unit. All parents/guardians have the right to “opt out” of this unit. If you choose to exclude your child, you must do so in writing to the Chief Academic Officer and School Principal, stating you do not want your child to participate. Alternate and comparable assignments will be given.
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| 1c) How will a parent learn about my child’s progress in school or with a class? |
Henderson Collegiate shares progress of students through a variety of ways. Progress reports (every 4.5 weeks) and reports cards (every 9 weeks) are sent to parents in order to communicate student academic strengths and any areas for improvement. Feedback on conduct is also included.
Students in grades 3-8 receive Standards-Based Report Cards. Standards-Based Report Cards provide feedback on individual student’s progression toward proficiency on standards aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Each quarter reports cards are sent home electronically, and parents may request hard copies of these reports from their home school.
The NC transcript contains grades from all high school classes, weighted and unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA), standardized test data and student demographics. Students may ask for an unofficial transcript at any time. Henderson Collegiate High School provides seniors with official transcripts at no charge (for college applications, programs, scholarships,etc.). In addition, there is no charge for mid-year senior transcript, final transcripts after graduation, and transcripts for any award or scholarship requested.
State Assessments: Individual Student Reports for end-of-grade/course tests and other state assessments (English language proficiency assessment) are made available to each family after scores are received by the school.
All NC students take end-of-grade assessments for reading and math in grades 3-8. Students take end-of-grade science assessments in grades 5 and 8. High school students take end-of-course assessments in English II, Biology, NC Math 1, and NC Math 3.
Students in Grade 10 take the Pre-ACT. Students in grade 11 take the ACT. These results are shared by ACT. |
| 1d) What are the qualifications of my child’s teachers? |
Parents may look up your child’s teacher licensure status at this website Link to the licensure website.
The licensure look up webpage does not include current employment information. Parents may need additional information (i.e., middle name or license number) to identify the teacher accurately.
Please contact our Licensure Specialist, Barb Roeder, at broeder@hendersoncollegiate.org to verify an educator’s licensure status. |
| 1e) What are the requirements for school enrollment? What are the immunizations needed or recommended for children? |
The following are the North Carolina statutory school entry requirements, this includes required immunizations:
· Admission requirements: GS_115C-364.pdf (ncleg.gov) · Immunization records: GS_130A-155.pdf (ncleg.gov) · Immunization requirements: GS_130A-152.pdf (ncleg.gov) NC GS 130 A-152 graphic (*this law was amended but is not reflected on the current GA page; see SL2023-134.pdf (ncleg.gov), Section 5.8(e) on page 64”) Information on school assignment can be located through:
● N.C. Law on School Assignment: GS 115C-366
Henderson Collegiate is a school of choice. Any student residing in the state of North Carolina may apply for admissions to Henderson Collegiate through the School’s website.
Information on required health assessments and immunizations for students are available through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). NCDHHS Immunizations Resources
– Expected Immunization Schedules – Kindergarten Entry Vaccine Requirements |
| 2a) How can a parent help their child learn and make progress? |
Engaging with your child about school and what they are learning is pivotal to their learning process. ● Ask questions daily about your child’s school day. ● Inquire about topics and assignments they are learning. ● Connect with teachers to understand your child’s progress. ● Ask the teachers how you can help your child learn. ● Attend different events at your child’s school to stay connected and learn how to support them.
Parent Guides for Academic Standards: The following grade level guides contain information to support parents and caregivers with understanding the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The purpose of these guides is to inform parents about the standards, as well as provide useful strategies to incorporate at home.
Parent Guides for ELA Parent Guide for ELD
Reading and Literacy Support: Home activities, printables, and games to support reading and literacy are also available at North Carolina’s Digital Children’s Reading Initiative (DCRI). These activities include the following topics, Pre-K-Grade 5: (1) Phonemic awareness (2) Phonics (3) Vocabulary (4) Fluency (5) Comprehension (6) Oral language
Printable activities will be made available for students who do not have digital access at home and may be provided to all students as a supplement to digital resources.
DCRI Printables for Families |
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2b) How can a parent help their child develop citizenship, social skills and respect for others?
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Henderson Collegiate infuses elements of social justice and positive citizenship traits into the curriculum across grades K-12. These values are explicitly taught in Prides Times / Forums and in Social Studies and Non-fiction classes, among others.
Henderson Collegiate is additionally in the development of a Henderson Collegiate Graduate Profile to be released by the end of the 2024-25 school year codifying the values reinforced through our curriculum. This profile will be developed in conjunction with staff, students, families, and other key stakeholders.
Grade level specific resources, including developmentally appropriate milestones can be found in the following resource repository NC Portrait of a Graduate – Durable Skills.
Parents are encouraged to partner with their student’s teachers, Grade Level Chair / Grade Level Dean, and other student-service support staff in their work to support academic achievement, develop interpersonal skills, strengthen mental wellness, and explore career activities after graduation. School counseling, psychological services, and social work staff encourage students to learn skills in emotional regulation to support healthy decision-making skills and emotional development. |
| 2c) How can a parent strengthen communication with the school/teacher? |
Communication with parents and families is very important to us. Each Henderson Collegiate staff member is equipped with a school-issued cellphone through which families may contact teachers and school staff to collaborate around providing student support, for homework assistance after school hours, or to discuss student progress.
Further, each school sends home a weekly newsletter (Pride Post or High School Herald) with relevant announcements for the student’s grade level and school.
Additionally, Henderson Collegiate uses the following platforms for communication between home/school ○ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HCollegiate) ○ Brightarrow (texting, email and phone-based communications platform; for more information or to be added to our listserv, please contact one of our main offices)
Tips for Parents: ● Stay informed of school activities by visiting school’s website, providing your updated contact information to your school’s operations team to be updated in Brightarrow, and by reviewing newsletters and notes. ● Review progress reports and report cards with your child. Set goals with your child. ● Communicate with your child’s teacher about his/her progress and upcoming events. ● Talk to your child about his/her school experience. Indicate to your child that you ● Encourage daily reading by providing opportunities for your child to read both fiction ● Utilize digital resources to support your child’s individual learning.
The following are NCDPI developed parent guides that provide suggestions for building strong relationships with your child’s teacher and supporting communication between home and school.
Building Strong Relationships with Your Child’s Teacher (NC Rethink Education Program) How You Can Use Questions to Support Your Child’s Learning (NC Rethink Education Program)
Additional general parent guides and parent resource webinar recordings can be found at the following website.
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3) What services are available for parents and their children?
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ReadyRosie is the first online resource that provides families with a daily, modeled activity for adults to do with children, from infancy up to age six. If you would like to receive the ReadyRosie videos, please go to www.readyrosie.com/cabarruscounty to register.
Henderson Collegiate teachers will provide afterschool tutoring for students during the regular school year. More information about how to access this service will be shared out from teachers via newsletter, email, etc.
CFNC & NCSEAA: What You Need to Know About the Better FAFSA
Henderson Collegiate’s College Counseling team hosts parent event nights for students in grades 9-12 during the regular school year. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: · Saving money for college · Successful completion of the FAFSA · Applying for discretionary scholarships · How to select students’ best match colleges These parent nights include translation for Spanish-speaking families. |
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4) What are opportunities for parents to participate with school?
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Henderson Collegiate welcomes family members to volunteer at the school. Parents can learn more by referencing our Student Handbook available on our School website, or by contacting the school’s main offices.
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| 5. What are the rigorous academic programs available to my child? How can I learn more about them? |
Henderson Collegiate operates a college preparatory K-12 program.
The Innovative Education Initiatives Act (SL 2003-277, Senate Bill 656) and the Cooperative Innovative High School Programs statute (§ 115C-238.50-.55) encourage Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to partner with their local postsecondary Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to provide cooperative programs jointly in high schools and colleges/universities that will expand students’ opportunities for education success through high quality instructional programming. NC Cooperative Innovative High Schools
At Henderson Collegiate, students are often provided the following services:
● Differentiated curriculum and instruction with flexible student groups; ● Accelerated opportunities (subject and/or grade acceleration, credit by demonstrated mastery (CDM), AP/IB/CIE courses, dual enrollment courses) ● Enrichment experiences, which may be during the school day or beyond, and may be within the regular calendar year or may include summer opportunities; and ● Other opportunities for extension of content standard.
College Preparatory Courses: Henderson Collegiate students have access to a variety of rigorous courses in high school. More information about these courses can be found in our Student Handbook, available on our School website. All classes at Henderson Collegiate High School are either college preparatory or Advanced Placement.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: The Advanced Placement (AP) Program, through College Board, offers students the opportunity to engage in rigorous college-level course work in a high school setting. AP courses are designed for highly motivated and prepared students who seek academic rigor and college credit based on the yearly Advanced Placement Exams. Henderson Collegiate believes that all students deserve access to the rigor of advanced coursework and can be successful with the appropriate support. Tests are administered by the high school on behalf of the College Board. AP courses support students in cultivating important skills and habits that are essential for college and career readiness. Additionally, students may receive higher consideration for admission to colleges and universities, as well as possible college or university course credit and/or placement. All AP classes follow the recommended syllabi from the College Board. Students are expected to complete extra reading, writing, and project assignments outside of the classroom. Henderson Collegiate offers numerous AP courses, including some AP-for-all classes; the full list of AP courses may be found in the School’s Student Handbook located on the School’s website. Students should consider this when thinking about taking advanced courses: ● Ability – How do you work independently? ● Study Habits – How diligently are you willing to work to be successful? ● Work Ethic – How will you manage the increased homework (1-2 hours per night per AP Course)? ● Interest– How interested are you in the curriculum? Check it out on www.collegeboard.org if needed. ● Extra-Curricular Commitments – How busy are you outside of school? ● Post-Secondary Goals – How do you plan on meeting your after high school goals? If a four-year university is a consideration, you may be more qualified if you take AP courses. Several AP courses satisfy graduation requirements for NC students as outlined in State Board policy.
AP exams are free for NC public high school students enrolled in these courses. If a student registers for an exam late, there will be a fee.
Colleges and universities may likely offer college credit for these courses if your child scores a 3 or above on the exam. All of the colleges in the UNC System award college credit.
More information is available on the CollegeBoard website.
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| 6) What school choices are available for my child? |
Henderson Collegiate, as a free, public charter school, is a school of choice. This means that any family wishing for their student to attend Henderson Collegiate must apply for their student to attend and, depending on the number of applications received and the number of seats available, may be required to participate in a public lottery to gain entry to Henderson Collegiate.
Apart from Henderson Collegiate, there are additional options for families to choose for their child’s education located in Vance and nearby counties.
Traditional Public Schools Students residing in Vance County are eligible to attend Vance County Public Schools free of charge to their families. More information may be found by visiting the Vance County Public Schools website at https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/.
Charter Schools Charter schools are public schools of choice that are authorized by the State Board of Education and operated by independent non-profit boards of directors. State and local tax dollars are the primary funding sources for charter schools, which have open enrollment and cannot discriminate in admissions, associate with any religion or religious group, or charge-tuition. Charter schools operate with freedom from many of the regulations that govern district schools, but charter schools are held accountable through the State assessment and accountability system.
If you are interested in NC charter schools, visit NC charter school for information, resources, and contacts.
Nonpublic Education and Scholarship Grants Nonpublic education is overseen by the NC Department of Administration.
For a list of private schools, visit this NC Private Schools.
For information on how to start a homeschool visit:
Scholarship grant programs/voucher information is available via the NC State Education Assistance Authority |
| 7) What rights do student with disabilities have based on the law? |
For students suspected of or identified with a disability by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Student Handbook located on the School website provides important information regarding the procedural safeguards available to ensure a free, appropriate, public education.
The Exceptional Children Division of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is looking for all children and youth ages birth through 21 with special needs who may not be receiving the help needed. These include children and youth with physical disabilities, emotional disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities, and children and youth with suspected disabilities who are highly mobile, migrant and/or homeless. If your child has a disability, or you suspect that he/she may have a disability please contact Henderson Collegiate’s Director of Exceptional Children, Victoria Robertson, at vrobertson@hendersoncollegiate.org. |
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8) What is the contact information for the schools and district office?
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Parents and guardians may contact Henderson Collegiate at 252-598-1038.
Further contact information is available through Henderson Collegiate’s website at https://hendersoncollegiate.org/.
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| 9) What are some resources to support my child’s health and wellbeing? What immunizations are required and when should they be scheduled? |
Information on required health assessments and immunizations for students are available through the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
Annual Health Assessment and Immunization Compliance Reporting
– Expected Immunization Schedules – Kindergarten Entry Vaccine Requirements – Seventh Grade Entry Vaccine Requirements – Twelfth Grade Entry Vaccine Requirements Information about Influenza, Meningococcal disease, and HPV are accessible at the embedded links or on the School Health webpage.
Information about our School Health partner, Granville Vance Public Health, is accessible at https://www.gvph.org/. |
