NCSSM Provides a Hub for STEM Excellence

The renovated North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Morganton Campus. 

Photo Cred: Education Snapshots NCSSM Morganton 

Lillian Anderson, Staff Writer for the WHS Powderhorn 

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a residential high school program founded in the 1980s for students wishing to pursue a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) related field. Today it remains on the forefront of STEM education, allowing students to expand past a typical high school experience and dive headfirst into their academic passions. The program remains one of the top ranked public high schools in the United States and boasts an impressive list of alumni who inspire kids from all around the state to pursue a career in STEM.

“Before attending NCSSM, I had no idea what field of STEM I wanted to pursue in college,” said Anna Grace Anderson, NCSSM alumni. “NCSSM requires all students to take courses in a wide variety of STEM fields, helping students to get exposure to lots of different disciplines. Through this, I discovered that I was more interested in the engineering and computer science aspects of STEM, rather than the more chemistry-based disciplines, which I thought I was more interested in. Once I discovered this, I was able to take many engineering and computer science classes at NCSSM to help prepare me to pursue this field in college.”

NCSSM’s diverse course catalog isn’t the only benefit it offers. The program also allows for students to simulate a college environment and prepares them to live away from home in the future while preparing for their STEM careers. 

“I think what makes NCSSM such a unique experience is that it's very similar to a college campus,” explains Lydia Dean, who was recently accepted to NCSSM. “High school age students live on their own, taking college level classes while living in a dorm with a college style schedule, and that's not an experience I think you'll get anywhere else. It's also not an experience that's going to be right for everyone, and Watauga is still an amazing high school but it’s an option for those who think it is the right environment for them.”

As Dean mentioned, the NCSSM experience may not be suitable for everyone. The curriculum is highly rigorous, and it is a requirement that students live on campus, which may be a deciding factor for those who are accepted. 

“I think I missed my family and friends from Watauga the most while I was at NCSSM,” said Anderson. “Especially at first, it was a major adjustment not coming home to see my family every night after a long day of classes. However, I eventually found a nice balance of visiting home that allowed me to stay connected to NCSSM and my family and friends in Boone. Since NCSSM Morganton is only about an hour from Boone, I was able to make quick trips home when I was missing it.”

Despite the struggles of having to live away from home, many students find NCSSM to be one of the most rewarding experiences of their educational trajectory as it allows them to form connections with like minded peers from incredibly diverse backgrounds. 

“I think my favorite part about attending NCSSM was getting to meet people from all over the state,” explained Anderson, “Growing up in Western North Carolina, I had very little exposure to other cultures and backgrounds from around the state, so I really enjoyed getting to learn about new cultures while at NCSSM. It is really special how welcoming everyone is at NCSSM. I was given the opportunity to attend so many cultural events, such as Diwali, Holi, and Passover Seder, which helped me feel more connected to the NCSSM community and my peers. Overall, I love having connections all over North Carolina. I have loved getting to travel the state to visit my friends and explore their hometowns. There is something really special about living with your peers, as you get to know so many people on deep levels, which I think is at the heart of the NCSSM experience.”