Ellendale School of Innovation and Inquiry planned
By ANGELA FARR KING
Alexander County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin addressed the Ellendale School community on their Family Night, which was held March 5, about the recent news that Ellendale Elementary School will soon transition to Ellendale School of Innovation and Inquiry.
The first thing that Dr. Griffin did was apologize to those in attendance for the fact that many of them heard about the changes coming to Ellendale via social media. This was due to the fact that he had to seek School Board approval for these changes at the February Board meeting. While talking about the need for innovations in instruction in today’s school, Dr. Griffin shared that current Kindergarteners will be the first ones to “interact with both humans and robots.” He shared a quote from Mario Acosta, which states, “The way we do school will not hold up much longer.”
Dr. Griffin then walked attendees through a detailed presentation about why this innovative idea for Ellendale came about, what will be different, and what will be the same.
First, Griffin answered the question as to why this change is necessary. He shared a graph that showed a negative trend in Ellendale enrollment. The student population (also known as average daily membership) has dropped from over 300 students in 2015 to just over 160 students this school year. He shared, “While enrollment trends sparked the conversation, our priority is ensuring students are prepared for a rapidly changing future.” He added that the goal and expected outcomes are to “create an innovative, high-quality choice program program that stabilizes enrollment and expands inquiry-based experiences that prepare students for a changing world.”
Dr. Griffin assured all stakeholders in the Ellendale school community that certain things would not change. The North Carolina standards and district curriculum will still be taught. They will just be expanded upon. Students will still be given the same standardized state assessments. They will still retain the same excellent teachers and have the same community support. Student support structures will still be in place.
Griffin shared that the “biggest change is not what your child learns-its how they will learn.” They will have a new instructional model to the same instructional standards, which is more hands-on and inquiry based. There will be more student empowerment and integrated content. Students will be making more real world connections.
Dr. Griffin did his best to squelch misconceptions about the new model. He shared in his presentation that there will be no change in student placement or student services. The new school model will in no way exclude students living within the Ellendale Community. Students will not be forced to use more technology. They will not have different expectations, standards, or accountability.
The transition to becoming Ellendale School of Innovation and Inquiry begins August of 2026. Griffin outlined the transition process: Students already zoned for Ellendale will stay. They keep their spots without applying. Families outside the Ellendale zone can apply and a blind lottery will be held on April 22 based on capacity. If one sibling is selected, other eligible applied siblings will automatically be placed. Out-of-zone families are encouraged to commit for a minimum of two years for stability.
The timeline is as follows: March 30-April 17, 2026: Submit applications for the blind lottery, April 22, 2026: All eligible applicants entered into the lottery drawing, April 24, 2026: Students selected in the lottery will be notified and provided a commitment form, August 24, 2026: Ellendale School of Innovation and Inquiry opens.
Other key details to note are that bus service will be provided for Ellendale zoned students only. Out of zone families will be responsible for their own transportation. Rising fifth graders cannot participate in the out-of-zone lottery because they cannot fulfill the two year commitment. Selected families must complete the commitment form within two weeks of the lottery. Enrolled families will submit intent letters every January.
For more information about this transition, reach out to Alexander County Schools or Ellendale Elementary School.
