Lenoir County Public Schools is one of four school systems in Eastern North Carolina to receive a state grant that helps fund computer science classes.
Lenoir County Schools will use part of its $36,160 grant to create more coding classes for middle school and high school students, which could lead to college credits through Lenoir Community College, district officials stated in a press release.
“I think the most exciting part of this program is that there are multiple entry and exit points for students who have an interest in the field of computer science,” said Amy Jones, the school district's Career and Technical Education director.
The school district has already made progress in digital learning through a partnership with Apple that gives every K-12 student access to iPads and other digital devices. With this grant, school officials plan to again team up with Apple to develop the new coding curriculum and to train teachers, according to the press release.
Lenoir County Schools was one of 15 school districts and charter schools statewide to receive a share of the $400,000 state Coding and Mobile App Development Grant. Also in Eastern North Carolina, Dare County Schools received $25,000; Perquimans County Schools received $22,500 and North East Carolina Preparatory School in Edgecombe County received $36,000.