News

This unanimous vote makes MINA an officially approved North Carolina Charter School. MINA is on schedule to open its doors in July 2020.

SANFORD, NC (June 6, 2019) – By unanimous acclamation, the North Carolina State Board of Education (BOE) has granted the MINA Charter School of Lee County formal Approval To Open status. This vote places MINA (pronounced “MEE-na”) in position to formally begin its Planning Year program and places the school on track to open in July 2020 in the Jonesboro Heights section of Sanford. MINA will be Lee County’s first charter school to serve students in grades K-to-5 and will utilize a STREAM curriculum that emphasizes learning in science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math.

Rhonda Dillingham, Executive Director of the NC Association for Public Charter School congratulates MINA on its accomplishment, stating “The State Board of Education’s approval of MINA Charter School is a vote for the children of Lee County. With its dual language and STREAM focus, this school will offer a unique educational experience for its K-5 students.”.

Approval Signals A Meaningful Milestone in MINA’s Mission

MINA Charter School of Lee County Board President Dr. Shawn Williams is thankful for the BOE’s vote of confidence and appreciative of the efforts of many, that has brought the school to this milestone, commenting, “I am truly thankful that a vision has become a reality. This was a
journey that took many committed people to accomplish. I want to thank the members of the board past and present, and the many supporters that have given of their time and resources. Today is a meaningful day because now the parents of Lee and surrounding counties have another choice for public school education. MINA will offer every student from all walks of life a great opportunity to have an unprecedented educational experience, where they will not only be a student but a family member of MINA.”

MINA will operate on a year-round calendar and will include a dual language learning component.  All students will experience learning in English and Spanish beginning in kindergarten. MINA’s educational model will also focus on personalized learning, critical thinking & problem solving, oral & written skills and a spirit of collaboration & respect for others.

Attorney Jeanette Peace serves as the School Board’s Vice President and looks forward to the role that MINA will play in enhancing the lives of students and the community at large, noting “Our goal is to not to only make MINA a place where students can maximize their potential. We want, and expect, MINA to be a shining star, a representative of the excellence and values that make Sanford/Lee County a wonderful place to live.”

The MINA school acronym is More Is Now Achievable and reflects the school’s commitment to empowering students to be lifelong learners, innovative thinkers, and good citizens, who can compete in today’s global marketplace.

Leaders Building Leaders is a nationally recognized organization which provides consulting, training and support for charter schools throughout their process of development. The organization’s Katy Ridnour has worked with the MINA board for the past several months and sees a very promising future for its school and students.  She observes, “Leaders Building Leaders is proud to have partnered with the MINA Charter School board as they developed their application and prepared for their interview with the NC Charter School Advisory Board. They are both eager and prepared to provide school choice to the students of Lee County. This hard-working, intentional group has the heart, the mind, and the team to create a school environment where all children will find success. We wish them the best as they enter the Ready to Open Process to prepare for their school opening in July 2020!”

With its focus on personalized learning, dual languages, and technology, MINA expects to offer considerable appeal to all families throughout Lee County. Additional special emphasis will be on serving the county’s traditionally disadvantaged student populations, so that “more can be achievable” by all students.

The MINA learning concept also includes access to before- and after-school programs at the school. MINA will provide a safe, nurturing environment, complete with educational, socialization and recreational opportunities outside of regular school hours. In recognizing the importance of nutrition for growing students, snacks will also be provided outside of the regular school day.

Students May Apply For 2020-21 School Year

MINA Charter School of Lee County will operate from a building in the Kendale Plaza and is accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year at the school’s website: www.MINACharterSchoolOfLeeCounty.org. Students in the inaugural year of school will be selected at random via lottery.  MINA is chartered to serve up to 252 students in its first year of operation, in grades K-to-5, with an additional grade of instruction added for each of the succeeding 3 years of operation.