Central ​Cabarrus High School was established in 1966 and has taken great pride in producing college and work ready young people for 50 years.  With a mission to graduate “students who are successful, responsible, and contributing citizens in a rapidly changing world,” our reputation for excellence was enhanced in 2012, when we began Cabarrus County’s first high school STEM program.  Awarded the recognition of a Model School of Distinction in 2015,   our journey has grown to include 17 teachers and 315 STEM students in grades 9-12 as we continue to operate as a school within a school.

With Central Cabarrus High School currently offering over 22 Honors level classes, 13 A.P. classes, 25 clubs, 15 varsity and junior varsity sports, a nationally known masonry department,  Air Force JROTC, and award-winning arts programs, our school offers all students vast opportunities to blossom as thinkers, athletes, creators, and performers.  

Built on a foundation of design and engineering, the STEM program fosters a feeling of collaborative inquiry and inventive thinking, skills which students will take with them far beyond our walls.  Our staff develop and implement Problem and Project Based Learning opportunities that link different disciplines and curricula. PBL's create invigorating and challenging lessons that add rigor to the Standard Course of Study, while also incorporating the exploration of real-world applications.  We are proud of what we have created and look forward to inspiring all who enter our doors just as they inspire us to continually raise the bar.   

We are committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders by empowering students to think critically, explore new ideas, and drive innovation. Through a comprehensive, hands-on STEM curriculum grounded in the Central Cabarrus High School STEM Design Cycle, students engage in a structured process that emphasizes developing a deep understanding of problems, generating and testing solutions, analyzing and refining ideas through feedback, and creating impactful final designs. This experiential approach equips students with the skills, adaptability, and mindset needed for success in their postsecondary pursuits and beyond.

The Central Cabarrus High School STEM program believes that in order to produce life-long innovators and stake-holders:

• Commit to cultivating the next generation of leaders and innovators by empowering students to think critically, explore boldly, and create with purpose. 

• Grounded in the belief that meaningful learning occurs through collaboration, inquiry, and real-world application.

• Engage students in an iterative process of developing deep understanding, generating ideas, prototyping solutions, analyzing feedback, creating final designs, and refining their work. 

• Foster resilience, creativity, and continuous improvement.

• Prioritize inclusive access and actively cultivate a learning environment that values diverse perspectives, ensuring all students have opportunities to engage, contribute, and excel. 

• Intentionally integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics across disciplines

• Develop the skills to make meaningful connections and address complex global challenges.

• Emphasize innovation through collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and the purposeful use of technology, preparing students to become adaptable problem-solvers and engaged contributors in an ever-evolving world.