Mattie Gaddy-Parks of the Admissions Office at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham, is shown in the accompanying photo during her discussion with eighth-grade students at Eaton-Johnson Middle School on September 15.
Gaddy-Parks shared information about the prestigious high school with the students to urge them to work now to achieve academic success, so that they can apply and be accepted into the school for their last two years of high school. She noted that NCSSM is ranked as the 17th best high school in the United States and as the top high school in North Carolina. NCSSM is part of the University of North Carolina system and accepts only the top students in science and mathematics for their junior and senior years in high school, she added. Gaddy-Parks told students that the two-year enrollment at NCSSM is valued at $68,000, but parents of accepted students only pay $285 per year because of support for the school through the university system.
“Enrollment in our school is extremely competitive,” she said. “We had 1,700 applications from across the state for only 350 positions in our junior class for this year.
“We produce leaders for tomorrow,” Gaddy-Parks continued. “You are my future. I want you to be the leaders of our state one day and to take over for people like me.”
NCSSM is a residential high school with approximately 700 students living in dormitories on the campus near downtown Durham. Gaddy-Parks said the school offers the very best in instruction from top professors with all living and academic needs provided to all students. The school also offers extra-curricular activities through clubs and other campus organizations for students, as well as 18 different sports teams on which students may compete.
“We want you to join us as our students on campus when you begin the 11th grade,” she added. “You need to be working hard now to make the best grades, take honors classes in high school and get involved in community service. All of these efforts will make you more well-rounded students and more ready for a successful future.”