We are exceptionally proud of our school district and the outstanding progress and achievements our students and staff continue to make every day. Together, we demonstrate time and again the huge impact a small district can have.

We remain fully committed to doing what is best for all students, working toward maintaining our district, and preventing the merger. Please review this letter regarding the State Board of Education’s timeline for the proposed merger.
about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
We are thrilled to announce that Newton-Conover City Schools achieved a 94% Graduation Rate for the 2025–2026 school year—ranking as the 10th highest in the entire state and well above the state average!
about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Newton-Conover City Schools. 94% Graduation Rate. 10th highest in the state. 2025-2026 Above State Average
For Immediate Release:
about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: September 2, 2026 Contact: Office of the Superintendent, Newton-Conover City Schools NEWTON-CONOVER CITY SCHOOLS CELEBRATES DISTINGUISHED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT NEWTON, NC — Newton-Conover City Schools (N-CCS) is proud to announce exceptional performance outcomes across all tested grade levels for the 2025-2026 school year. Through the dedication of our educators, students, staff, and community partners, our district continues to demonstrate academic excellence, earning top marks locally and across North Carolina. N-CCS achieved key academic highlights marked by consistent district-wide excellence, maintaining zero "D" or "F" school performance grades across all facilities for three consecutive school years (2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026) a three-year milestone accomplished by only 9 school districts statewide. In Catawba County, Newton-Conover City Schools demonstrates outstanding performance and top rankings. Based on School Performance Grades, Shuford Elementary leads as the #1 elementary school in the county, while North Newton Elementary ties for the #5 spot. Additionally, Newton-Conover Middle School holds a tie for the #1 middle school in Catawba County. Both Shuford Elementary and Newton-Conover Middle School stand out as top-performing schools by exceeding growth benchmarks, demonstrating the educators' and students' dedication to academic excellence. With a top-tier 94% graduation rate for the 2025–2026 academic year, N-CCS ranked 10th statewide out of 115 districts. This accomplishment far exceeds the North Carolina state average. N-CCS students consistently outperformed state averages across core subjects. Specifically, reading scores surpassed state benchmarks in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th grades, while mathematics scores exceeded state averages in 3rd through 8th grades and Math I. Across the entire district, elementary grade levels (3–5) outperformed the state average in every tested subject area, including Reading, Math, and Science. Individual School Performance Grades: Discovery High School: A Newton-Conover High School: C Newton-Conover Middle School: C North Newton Elementary School: B Shuford Elementary School: B South Newton Elementary School: C Conover School: Maintaining "Our staff, students, and families earned these results through hard work, high standards, and a good vibes mindset," said Superintendent Dr. Emily Shaw. "Ranking among North Carolina's top school districts and leading Catawba County in elementary and middle school performance highlights our continuous dedication to academic excellence, proving what a BIG impact small districts can have." To learn more about Newton-Conover City Schools please visit the district site at newton-conover.org.

3 YEARS IN A ROW!!
Newton-Conover City Schools is officially 1 of only 9 school districts in the entire state to have NO D or F school performance grades for these three consecutive years (2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026)!

This achievement is a direct result of the incredible dedication, hard work, and passion of our students, teachers, staff, and supportive community. Thank you for making N-CCS a place where excellence thrives every single day.

Let’s keep the GOOD VIBES going!

about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
back2back2back 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 No Ds or Fs. Newton-Conover City Schools. Good Vibes only - 1 of 20 districts in the state
Celebrating Excellence Across Newton-Conover City Schools!

Good vibes only in NCCS! We are thrilled to share incredible news about our schools' growth and performance:

👉No D's or F's: A huge congratulations to our schools for keeping the good vibes rolling and maintaining zero School Performance Grades of D's or F's district-wide for the past three years.

👉Exceeding Growth: Special recognition goes to Shuford Elementary and Newton-Conover Middle School for officially exceeding academic growth targets!

These milestones are a direct result of the continuous hard work, resilience, and positive energy shown by our students, dedicated teachers, staff, and supportive families every single day.

Thank you for making our district a place where students thrive, excel, and bring the best vibes. Let's keep this momentum going!
about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Good Vibes Only - Newton-Conover City Schools. A: Discovery High School. C Newton-Conover High School. C: Newton-Conover Middle School, B North newton Elementary B Shuford Elementary C South Newton Elementary No Ds or Fs Conover School Maintaining
Newton-Conover City Schools is looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to join our team and make a difference in our community. We have a wide range of open positions. Learn more and apply today! 👉 Apply here: newtonconover.schoolspring.com
about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Are are hiring: ESL teacher, elementary teacher, middle school teacher, EC teacher, EC teacher assistant, 1:1 teacher assistant/bus driver, bus drivers, child nutrition assistant (part-time(, child nutrition subs, subs, coaches
Schools across the district spent time learning about youth mental health and how they can support our students. Our School Psychologist, Paula Sigmon, led these trainings at each of our schools.
about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Mental Health training
mental health training
mental health training
mental health training
The N-CCS School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), led by Paula Sigmon, recently held a Wellness and Resource Fair for all district staff members at South Newton Elementary. Staff members were able to connect with community agencies, receive school supplies from the United Way Back to School Drive, grab a quick lunch provided by The Corner Table, and pick up free goodies from our community partners.
about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Wellness Fair at South Newton
Wellness Fair at South Newton
Wellness Fair at South Newton
Wellness Fair at South Newton
Wellness Fair at South Newton
Wellness Fair at South Newton
Wellness Fair at South Newton
Wellness Fair at South Newton
Wellness Fair at South Newton
We Still Need Your Voice! As we approach the September 2–3 State Board of Education meeting, it is important that we continue telling the story of Newton-Conover City Schools and making sure the State Board understands the educational impact, financial impact, and community impact of the proposed merger. Chairman Davis has indicated that the timeline and next steps will be discussed at the upcoming meeting. This means our voices still matter, and we want the State Board to have a clear understanding of what is best for our students, staff, schools, and community. If you have not yet shared your support, please take a few minutes to write a letter. And yes, you can send more than one letter! We encourage supporters to continue sharing their personal experiences, perspectives, and reasons why maintaining Newton-Conover City Schools matters. Please send letters of support to: Tiffany.lucas@dpi.nc.gov Every voice adds to our story. Every letter helps provide the State Board with a fuller picture of who we are, what we provide for students, and what is at stake. Let's continue to speak up, tell our story, and make sure Newton-Conover is heard. Emily Shaw N-CCS Superintendent
about 2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Great news for Newton-Conover City Schools families! 🍎🥪

All students at the following schools will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2026–2027 school year through the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program:

Conover School

North Newton Elementary

Newton-Conover Middle School

Shuford Elementary

South Newton Elementary

Newton-Conover High School

Student participation is vital to the continued success of this program, so take advantage of these healthy meal options every day!
2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Newton-Conover City Schools - students at the following schools will receive meals at no cost, breakfast and lunch, during the 2026-2027 school year, as provided through USDA's Community Eligibility provision (CEP) program.

Board of Education Meeting Schedule Update

The Newton-Conover City Schools Board of Education updated its meeting schedule during the regular meeting held on August 17.

September 14, 2026 has been designated as the Board’s Fall Work Session.

December 7, 2026 will now be the date of the December Board meeting.

Please make note of these changes to the 2026 Board of Education meeting calendar.

2 months ago, Dawn West
School Board Meeting
A huge shout out to Discovery High School on ranking in the top 6% of all high schools in the state and nation according to the US News and World Report. Discovery continues to be ranked as the best high school in the Hickory Metro area! Great job, Gryphons!!
Go to https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/north-carolina/districts/newton-conover-city-schools/discovery-high-school-14628 to see more info regarding this tremendous accomplishment.
#WeAreDiscoveryHighSchool
2 months ago, Angie Sigmon

🎉 School starts Monday, and we can’t wait! 🎉

We are so excited to welcome back our students and kick off a fantastic school year full of positive energy, growth, and good vibes!

⏰ Bell Schedules:

Elementary Schools: 8:10 AM – 3:20 PM

Middle & High Schools: 7:40 AM – 2:50 PM

Conover School: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

🎒 Kid Connection: Before care opens at 6:00 AM | After care runs until 6:00 PM

Let's make this year incredible! See you Monday!

2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
newton-conover city schools - Back 2 School, Monday, August 24, 2026. Welcome Back! Good vibes, great energy, and an amazing year await!
At Monday night's board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Emily Shaw recognized the Central Office staff for their hard work and dedication. Thank you to our central office team for everything you do to support our district, schools, and students every day! 👏✨
2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
central office staff
Below is the Superintendent’s Message from the Monday, August 17, 2026 Board of Education meeting, presented by Dr. Emily Shaw.
2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
There is a different energy in our schools this time of year. After weeks of preparation, planning, and anticipation, our buildings are once again filled with the excitement of educators preparing to welcome students. This past week, it has been wonderful to see our staff back in our schools working together, preparing classrooms, planning instruction, and making sure every detail is in place for a successful start to the year. Next Monday, we will welcome our students back, and with that comes one of my favorite moments of the school year: the opportunity to begin again with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. We officially kicked off the school year with a successful district-wide Convocation, and I can confidently say that the Good Vibes were definitely present! Our theme, Good Vibes Only is more than a theme for one event. It represents the culture we are intentionally building across Newton-Conover City Schools. I was energized by the engagement, enthusiasm, and sense of unity demonstrated by our staff. As we begin this school year, I hope we carry that same energy into our classrooms, our schools, and every interaction we have with students, families, and one another. We also continue to monitor the proposed merger of Newton-Conover City Schools with the county school system. The North Carolina State Board of Education has acknowledged receipt of the county's merger plan but will wait until its September meeting to determine its next steps. We remain committed to keeping our community informed as this process moves forward and to advocating for Newton-Conover City Schools to remain an independent school system. State Board of Education Chairman Davis has also reminded members of the community and district that any comments or communications regarding the merger may be directed to the county's legal counsel, Tiffany Lucas. While this process continues, our focus remains where it has always been serving our students and providing them with the best education possible. One of the highlights of this month was an incredible community partnership with More Than Enough Ministries. On August 8, Newton-Conover City Schools partnered with the organization to host a backpack and school supply giveaway at our Central Office. The event served 172 families and 387 students from across our region, not just students enrolled in N-CCS. Watching students come through the doors excited to select the supplies they needed for a successful start to the school year was incredibly rewarding. This event is a powerful example of what can happen when schools and community organizations come together with a shared
commitment to children. The impact of this partnership was significant, and I am grateful to everyone who helped make it possible. I also had the opportunity to participate in our CTE Business Advisory meeting this month, and it was a powerful reminder of the tremendous opportunities available to our students. The partnership between Newton-Conover City Schools, local businesses, and Catawba Valley Community College continues to create opportunities for students to explore careers, develop skills, earn credentials, and begin building their futures while still in high school. Hearing directly from our business partners about the skills they need and the opportunities they can provide reinforces the importance of preparing students not only for graduation, but for life beyond our classrooms. With the state budget being passed in late July, we are also working to ensure that our policies, practices, and operations remain aligned with the legislation that was enacted. We are pleased that the budget includes salary increases for our employees. Supporting our employees remains an important part of creating strong schools, because when we invest in our people, we are investing in our students. As we begin this school year, literacy will be a driving focus across Newton-Conover City Schools. The ability to read, comprehend, communicate, and think critically is foundational to success in every subject and every grade level. We will continue strengthening literacy instruction through intentional curriculum alignment, the use of student data to identify areas of need, targeted support for students who need additional assistance, and professional learning that equips teachers with effective instructional strategies. Our goal is not simply to improve reading scores; it is to ensure that every student develops the literacy skills necessary to access rigorous content, communicate effectively, and become a confident, independent learner. This work is central to our commitment to creating a culture of academic excellence for both students and staff. Academic excellence means setting high expectations, aligning our instruction and resources to those expectations, using data to make informed decisions, and providing our educators with the support and professional learning they need to grow. It means creating meaningful opportunities for students through academics, athletics, CTE, college partnerships, and extracurricular activities. It means our principals and
teachers working collaboratively to monitor student progress, identify barriers, celebrate growth, and continually ask ourselves, What more can we do to help every student succeed? As we prepare to welcome students on Monday, I am excited about what lies ahead. There is a tremendous amount of positive energy across Newton-Conover City Schools, and I believe this year has the potential to be a defining one for our district. We have a clear purpose, talented and dedicated staff, strong community partnerships, and a shared commitment to helping every student reach their potential. Together, we will continue building a district where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to achieve and where our staff feel valued, empowered, and equipped to do their very best work. The 2026–2027 school year is here. Let’s make it a year of powerful purpose, positive schools, and academic excellence. Thanks, Dr. Emily Shaw
What amazing energy at our 2026–2027 Opening Convocation! Today, we brought our entire district family together to celebrate our incredible schools, highlight our amazing educators and staff, and kick off the new school year with unmatched enthusiasm.

Our challenge and charge for this year? Good Vibes Only! Bright smiles, positive energy, and unwavering support for every single student, every single day.
We are so inspired, energized, and ready to make the 2026–2027 school year our best one yet. Thank you to everyone who made today so special!
2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Dr. Emily Shaw presenting at our Convocation.
Teachers from NCMS.
Teachers from Conover School.
Teacher and Instructional Coach from South Newton.
Our JROTC.
Teachers from North Newton.
Shuford elementary staff.
NCHS band
Newton-Conover City Schools is looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to join our team and make a difference in our community. We have a wide range of open positions. Learn more and apply today! 👉 Apply here: newtonconover.schoolspring.com
2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
We are hiring - Teacher assistants/bus driver, 1:1 Teacher Assistant/bus driver (part time), bus drivers, child nutrition assistant (part-time), child nutrition subs, coaches

We can't wait to welcome students and families back! Here are the dates and times for Open House across our schools:

👉 Conover School: August 18th from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

👉 Discovery High School: August 20th - New Student Orientation

👉 Newton-Conover High School: August 18th from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

👉 Newton-Conover Middle School: August 19th from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

👉 North Newton, Shuford, & South Newton: August 19th from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

2 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Mark your calendar - newton-conover city schools open house
What an incredible week of connection, learning, and growth as we welcomed our new hires and beginning teachers to the district! From day one, the energy and passion our new educators bring to our schools have been nothing short of inspiring.

Here is a look back at a fantastic week of welcoming our newest team members:

✨ BT Bootcamp: Preparing our beginning teachers with the tools, strategies, and foundation for a successful school year ahead.

🤝 Buddy Teacher Day: Connecting our new educators with experienced mentors to foster collaboration, guidance, and lifelong friendships.

☕ New Hire Morning Mingle: Wrapping up with great conversations, warm smiles, and strong community connections as everyone settled into their new roles.

To all of our new hires and beginning teachers: we are so proud and excited to have you as part of the Newton-Conover family. Thank you for your dedication to our students and community. Let’s make this school year the best one yet!
3 months ago, Angie Sigmon
Newton-Conover City Schools. Welcome to the team - new hires, beginning teachers

A message from our superintendent, Dr. Emily Shaw:

Dear Newton-Conover City Schools Families and Community,

Today, the North Carolina State Board of Education met, and while the proposed merger of Newton-Conover City Schools, Hickory City Schools, and Catawba County Schools was not a scheduled agenda item, the proposal was briefly discussed.

During the discussion, State Board members shared that they will carefully review the merger proposal and all accompanying materials using the criteria established in North Carolina law. They expect to discuss the review process, timeline, and next steps at their September meeting.

Chairman Eric Davis also acknowledged that the State Board has already received hundreds of letters regarding this proposal. Let's continue to flood the inbox! I believe we can make it thousands!

This is our opportunity to ensure the State Board hears directly from the people who know Newton-Conover City Schools best: our students, parents, employees, alumni, business partners, retirees, and community members. Our schools are thriving because of the commitment of our teachers, staff, families, and community. Together, we have built a district that offers outstanding academic opportunities, strong extracurricular programs, innovative initiatives, and a culture where students are known, supported, and challenged to succeed. Those accomplishments are worth protecting.

We need every supporter of Newton-Conover City Schools to make their voice heard. Tell the State Board why Newton-Conover City Schools matters to you. Tell them about the teachers who changed lives, the opportunities your children have received, the pride you have in our schools, and why you believe our district should remain independent. Personal stories from our community will help the State Board understand what is at stake and why preserving our district matters. Share with them the financial impact the merger will make with our students and families.

I remain fully committed to advocating for what I believe is in the best interest of our students, our employees, and our community. Thank you for your continued support of Newton-Conover City Schools and for standing alongside us as we work to preserve the district that has served generations of students with excellence.

Together, we can send a powerful message that Newton-Conover City Schools should remain independent. Together, let's make sure the State Board hears us loud and clear.

Public comments may be emailed to:

Tiffany Lucas, General Counsel
tiffany.lucas@dpi.nc.gov

Here is the clip from the State Board of Education Meeting - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TtwXNDwofglySP9Pvl-SOXRCsQw7X1ir/view

3 months ago, Angie Sigmon