Pinnacle Classical Academy is nearly ready to open its doors for the first time.
“We have our certificate of occupancy, and we are finishing cleaning up and painting the building,” said board member Wes Westmoreland. “Right now, we are getting our ducks in a row so we can open.”
Cleveland County’s first charter school will be in the old Hallelujah Acres building at 900 S. Post Road.
Teachers and staff have been hired, and two new board members were added: Pauline Cahil and Gary Ritchie, according to a news release from the school.
Students and parents will meet faculty and staff Friday.
“We are very fortunate to have such a qualified and amazing group of teachers who are excited about the opportunity to teach your children,” headmaster Danielle Robertson wrote in a prepared statement. “Our teacher assistants, administrative assistant, assistant principal and custodian are top-notch and will aid our teachers to ensure all children receive a quality premier college preparatory education in a safe and friendly environment.”
More than 400 students applied for 308 seats at Pinnacle. About 130 are on a waiting list, according to reports in June.
Due to the overwhelming response, students were selected by lottery in April. The school currently includes kindergarten through sixth grade, and the board plans to add an additional grade each year.
Currently, the North Carolina state board is deciding whether a charter school can expand student enrollment before it opens for classes.
Pinnacle Classical Academy is one of 22 charter schools opening at the beginning of the school year in North Carolina.
Reach Jessica Pickens at 704-669-3332 or jpickens@shelbystar.com. Follow on Twitter at @StarJPickens.
Parents meet faculty, staff Friday
Faculty and staff will be introduced to parents Friday at Hamrick Hall at Gardner-Webb University.
Kindergarten through second grade will meet faculty from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and third through sixth grades will meet from 8-9 p.m.