Administrator's Information

Our Story

Cambridge in CMS

The story of how Cambridge came to CMS is one of evolution. What began as a way to keep students from leaving for charter and private schools, became a movement in our northern schools as a way to give choices to students. Over the last two years more questions and opportunities have become possible. This short history is a way to help those know why we made the choices we made, and why we implemented the strategies and procedures that we have. This has been a team effort, but with bright stars shining through.

Timeline

2013: A parent brings the idea of Cambridge to the district

2014: Develop a plan to present to parents

2015: We are approved for six schools

2017: Addition of Grand Oak

2019: Addition of West Mecklenburg and Coulwood STEM Academy

2021: DIstrict Level LOA and Letter of Discount and the Addition Julius L. Chambers High

Addition of multiple school PLCs for all IGCSE and AS/A Level courses

2022: Hopewell named a Cambridge Demonstration Centre and addition of Palisades High

2023: Independence High School becomes a Cambridge School

2024: Garinger High School, Eastway Middle School, and Mint Hill Middle become Cambridge schools. Garinger and Eastway are the first Cambridge magnets

Cambridge was brought to CMS by a grassroots effort by a group of parents at Mountain Island Lake Academy. Hopewell High School, Bradley Middle, MILA, Barnette, Long Creek, and Torrence Creek Elementary Schools became our first Cambridge feeder pattern. We implemented the curriculum through a staggered process. Ninth grade, eighth grade, and fifth grade in each school. This allowed us to train staff and build the program with fidelity. This staggered approach continued each year for the high school. The desire for the program was so great at Bradley the second year that we opened up all grade levels. Elementary K-3 continues to be Learner Attributes and Global Perspectives only.

In the beginning of the program we asked parents and students to apply to the program. We looked at passed grades, benchmarks, and EOG/EOC scores. We accepted students based on the rubric. In 2017 we began to look at the purpose of the application and if there was really a need. We decided to open the program to all students in elementary in 2017 and to all students in middle and high school in 2019.

As the first public school district to add Cambridge in the state of North Carolina, we had to petition the NCDPI for acceptance. Dr. Matthew Hayes and Stephanie Kelso were able to do this through visiting North Carolina Community College System and UNC Systems to earn their approval for the added GPA points. This process took two years, multiple letters, visits, and presentations to the State Board of Education. We were helped the entire time by Cambridge.

We have also had to petition the UNC system as well as the Community College system to accept the Cambridge credits. Through the work of the Cambridge Recognition Officers and Stephanie Kelso we have been able to get that recognition and our students have earned college credit from these institutions as others within North Carolina because of this work.

Cambridge has been helpful in mapping out each IGCSE and AS/A level course, helping us see where there are gaps between NC standards and Cambridge objects. In addition to these, our team has created alignment guides to assist our teachers when one syllabus spans multiple courses. Patrick Brust was able to create the math alignment document with his team that outlines the Cambridge/NC Math Objectives from Math 1 to Math A. He was also instrumental in creating the math decision tree that the district uses in helping students make decisions. Janet Stallard has created the English Alignment document that outlines the English 1 to AS Literature. In addition to our curriculum needs, Jennifer Elliott, our Exam Officer, has created the documents that the CMS Cambridge Program uses in all schools.

The Cambridge Program is ever evolving, and it is a team effort. We work best when we work collaboratively. If we follow that rule we will always be growing in the right direction.