The leadership team at Warren County Schools is recommending to the Board of Education to combine Warren New Tech High School and Warren County High School to create an  innovative learning environment at a new and improved Warren County High School.

The combined school will be a hub for education innovation that offers a student-centered learning experience that is customized to address the needs of our students, families, and staff.

We know this is a major change and we do not make the recommendation lightly. Here are the factors that weighed into the decision to recommend combining WNTHS and WCHS for this upcoming school year: 

1. Declining student enrollment at WNTHS

Only 11 rising 9th grade students applied to attend WNTHS for the 2023-24 school year. That would bring the school’s total enrollment to just 64 students. As a general rule, it’s extremely difficult to efficiently operate and fund a school with fewer than 100 students. This created class sizes of 8-10 students, significantly below the state average and allotted funding levels. We simply can’t afford to operate such a small school. Spending more money on a small school means bigger schools aren’t getting all the funding they need.

2. The organizational needs and goals of the district

With a transition in the administration of WNTHS, it would be extremely difficult to find and hire a principal for one year knowing the school would close in the 2024-25 school year. It’s also financially difficult to justify the cost of an administrator for so few students.

3. Possible alternative uses of the school facility by the district 

This proposed closing is part of the Board of Education’s long-range plans to consolidate schools into one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school in a centralized location in the county. Warren New Tech High School was tentatively scheduled to be closed at the end of the 2023-24 school year so construction and renovations could begin on the facility for the new, consolidated elementary school. The recommendation to close WNTHS before the 2023-24 school year just moves that plan ahead by one year.

4. The potential effect on school programs

Under our current district and school structure, not all high school students have access to the same high-level academic courses, career and technical education electives, and other resources. Combining the schools will allow WCHS to offer advanced placement courses that weren’t previously available for students. The combined school will also allow WNTHS students access to electives and extracurricular activities like our Space Force program, SparkNC High-Tech Learning Lab, flight simulators, robotics club, masonry, etc. We are working to transform our system of teaching and learning to focus on improving academic outcomes and providing high-quality instruction and support so ALL students can thrive and realize their full potential. 

Additionally, moving students out of WNTHS allows us to use the facility to operate an Alternative Learning Program for students with challenges and needs that can best be served outside of the traditional classroom and school setting. This is not a separate school, so it will not need its own administrator. We expect this will significantly reduce disciplinary issues and disruptions at WCHS and WCMS.

• WNTHS School Closing Study

• WCHS Calendar

• WNTHS Calendar

• NC law on consolidating or closing a school

• Recorded radio broadcast on WARR 1520 am / 103.5 fm