What an incredible week for our Alamance Virtual School middle schoolers! From November 10-14, Ms. Tonya Dobson's science class had the adventure of a lifetime at Yellowstone National Park. Students learned directly from experts—renowned wolf observer Rick McIntyre, wolf researcher Taylor Rabe, Yellowstone Forever's field education manager Sam Archibald, and guide Melissa Dowland—exploring everything from wildlife and plants to the park's stunning geological and geothermal features. And as if that wasn't enough, they even witnessed the Northern Lights!
2 days ago, James Shuler
Group of middle school students and teacher posing at the Yellowstone National Park entrance sign with mountains and evergreen trees in the background
Students gathered in a circle outdoors listening to an instructor during a field lesson in the Yellowstone area with rolling hills in the background
Park ranger or guide speaking to a group of middle school students outdoors at Yellowstone with historic buildings and mountains visible behind them
Group photo of students and teacher at night with the Northern Lights displaying green and pink colors in the sky above mountains
Students relaxing and gathered in a cozy living room during their Yellowstone trip with leather couches and warm lighting
Congratulations to these Western Alamance High School students selected for prestigious All State honors at the NC Music Educators Conference! 🌟
🎤 Hunter Wilson - Soprano 1, NC Honors Choir (under the direction of Chorus Director Sean Lucier)
🎺 Christian Boudreault - Trumpet, All State Orchestra (pictured with Band Director Michael Jefferson)
There are All State events throughout the year, so we look forward to sharing more good news!
2 days ago, James Shuler
Photo of Hunter Wilson holding flowers and an Honor Chorus black folder
Photo of Christian Boudreault with Band Director Michael Jefferson on stage
Our high school CTE students spent a day in the Alamance Community College Advanced Applied Technology Center for hands-on demonstrations, interactions with industry professionals, and exploration of career pathways in advanced manufacturing, including HVAC and Automotive Repair! These skills are in high demand and ABSS offers College and Technical Education pathways that lead students from classes to careers like these!
10 days ago, James Shuler
A diverse group of seven high school CTE students pose together in an industrial manufacturing workshop, holding small potted plants and informational materials, with blue shelving and metal storage racks visible behind them.
An instructor gestures while explaining automotive concepts to a group of attentive high school students gathered around engine components and tools in a well-equipped automotive technology lab.
High school students gather in a modern automotive repair facility with vehicle lifts, examining a disassembled engine mounted on a bright green educational display stand, while cars are elevated on lifts in the background.
Two students lean over a CNC machine control panel, with one student pointing at the digital screen displaying programming code while an instructor observes their work.
A high school student in a blue hoodie and cap operates a commercial-grade piece of equipment with a glass door and control panel in a professional kitchen or food service training facility.
A male instructor in an Alamance Community College polo shirt stands in a workshop next to disassembled HVAC equipment including compressors and refrigeration units on a workbench, with industrial machinery visible in the background.
Two Alamance Community College staff members pose on either side of a promotional banner for the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration program, which features an image of a student at work and lists program focus areas including mechanical refrigeration, electrical systems, and safety protocols.
A blue plastic bin filled with colorful anodized aluminum keychains and tags featuring the Alamance Community College logo in various bright colors including orange, green, yellow, and purple.
An Alamance Community College instructor wearing a branded cap and polo shirt demonstrates precision measurement techniques with calipers on a threaded metal part to a student in a machine shop filled with lathes and manufacturing equipment.
Students work hands-on with automotive batteries and electrical testing equipment on a workshop table, guided by an instructor in a cowboy hat, with welding tanks and automotive repair equipment visible in the background.
Thank you to all veterans in the ABSS Community for your service.
12 days ago, James Shuler
Veterans Day graphic with the date and notice that all schools and offices will be closed tomorrow.
ANYTHING but a Thank You! Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday, Welcome Baby, Game Over to Principal Bryan at Williams! Staff fully embraced the theme "Bring Any Balloon But a Thank You" to show their appreciation for all he does! Students joined in the fun with messages of gratitude. His expression says it all. Put this in the Yearbook!
15 days ago, James Shuler
A close-up shot of the man (Principal Bryan) surrounded by a huge, overflowing cluster of foil and latex balloons, including a large unicorn-shaped balloon and several star-shaped balloons. He is peeking out from behind the balloons with a humorous, surprised expression.
A man (Principal Bryan) standing outdoors holding a massive bouquet of brightly colored Mylar and latex balloons, including unicorn, stars, and cartoon-themed shapes. He is mostly obscured by the balloons and has a surprised expression. A brick building and a memorial statue are in the background.
A group of high school students and two teachers posing outdoors on a sunny day. They are holding handmade signs with positive messages and paw print images. The school building is in the background, and autumn leaves cover the ground.
A group of high school students and two teachers standing in a classroom, with a colorful banner of international flags behind them. The students are holding up colored pieces of paper that, together, spell out the principal's name.

As we continue into the school year, we're excited to look back at the amazing progress during the first nine weeks! Our Progress Report Video highlights three key areas:

📵 Cell phone-free classrooms leading to greater student connection and engagement.

🤝 Strong relationships that are building confident learners.

💡 Data-driven, standards-aligned instruction challenging and supporting every student.

We're proud of this progress and encourage you to keep the conversation going at home! Ask your student about what they're learning class and connections at school. Thank you for being a vital part of the #ABSSCommunity!

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AjYlPQ99Hk

16 days ago, James Shuler
As we approach Veterans Day next Tuesday, these first graders at E.M. Holt Elementary School had the honor of learning from local heroes as Rodney Smith from the 40&8 Veterans Honor Society Voiture 1237 of Alamance County, along with veterans from American Legion Post 63 and other organizations, visited to teach about the American flag. 🇺🇸 The veterans shared the flag's history, the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance, and demonstrated proper flag folding while explaining the significance of each fold. Students learned about respectful care and display of the flag and enjoyed a moving poem before receiving their very own 4" x 6" American flag to take home! This meaningful program visits all our elementary schools each year!
16 days ago, James Shuler
Two veterans demonstrate proper flag folding technique to young first-grade students during a Veterans Day program, with American flags displayed in the background.
Three veterans stand together holding small American flags in front of a "Thank You Veterans for your Service" bulletin board decorated with student artwork.
Veterans pose with enthusiastic first-grade students holding American flags in front of classroom bulletin boards featuring patriotic student art projects.
Large group photo of all E.M. Holt Elementary first graders, teachers, and veterans holding American flags with the Voiture 1237 banner displayed prominently.
A veteran distributes small American flags to excited first-grade students seated on the floor during the flag education program.
Two smiling first-grade girls sit together on the floor proudly holding their American flags.
Two first-grade students seated on the floor display their new American flags during the Veterans Day program.
Four diverse first-grade students smile together while holding their American flags.
Veterans interact with first-grade students, showing them thank-you cards and distributing flags during the ceremony.
Veterans and first-grade students pose in front of a "Welcome Home" bulletin board honoring veterans and displaying photos of service members.

𝗔𝗕𝗦𝗦 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗣 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: We are proud to share that ABSS was recognized today at the State Board of Education work session in Raleigh as one of only four districts selected statewide to present our Advanced Placement program successes. Representing ABSS were Angee Reed, Advanced Learners Coordinator; Bear Bryant, Principal of Western Alamance High School; April Williams, Western Alamance teacher; and Superintendent Dr. Fleming.

Our district has demonstrated exceptional growth in both AP enrollment and student performance. Student participation in AP courses has steadily increased over the past two years to an all-time high of 1,295 students in 2025, representing a 23.1% increase from the prior year. Even more remarkable is our students' achievement on AP exams. Since 2023, the number of qualifying scores of 3 or higher has more than doubled, reaching 1,426 qualifying scores in 2025—a 46.7% increase from the previous year.

These outstanding results reflect our commitment to expanding access to rigorous, college-level coursework while providing the support our students need to excel. This growth spans all demographics and schools across our district, demonstrating that we are creating equitable opportunities for all students to succeed at the highest academic levels.

Following the work session, Dr. Fleming joined State Superintendent Green and other education leaders for a press conference highlighting these achievements. We celebrate our dedicated students, teachers, and administrators whose hard work has made this success possible.

17 days ago, James Shuler
A camera operator films the North Carolina State Board of Education members seated at a panel table during a press conference, with the state motto "The privilege of education" displayed on the wall behind them.
ABSS Superintendent Dr. Fleming and other district representatives engaged in discussion at a roundtable work session, reviewing AP program data and materials with educators from other North Carolina school districts.
Education leaders from multiple school districts seated around tables in a collaborative work session, reviewing documents and data with presentations displayed on screens in the background at the State Board of Education meeting.
We're excited to share highlights from Honda Manufacturing Day, where our high school CTE students toured Honda's North Carolina Manufacturing facility in Haw River! This facility, which began ATV production in 2023, is the exclusive North American production source for Honda ATVs with products shipped worldwide.

During the visit, students experienced the entire manufacturing journey, from raw materials through final assembly. Honda team members shared insights about the facility's operations, production techniques, quality assurance processes, and the diverse career paths available in today's manufacturing industry. A highlight for many was testing their skills on a realistic ATV driving simulator!

We're grateful to Honda for welcoming our students and providing this hands-on learning opportunity, and to our CTE teachers who made this experience possible.
17 days ago, James Shuler
A group of diverse high school students stands on a yellow-lined viewing platform inside the Honda manufacturing facility. They are watching a team member (partially visible, operating a vehicle) demonstrate an assembly or testing procedure on the production line.
A group photo of the high school CTE students and Honda team members inside a training room. Students are kneeling in front with black Honda bags, celebrating the completion of their manufacturing day tour.
A male student wearing a blue beanie and safety harness intensely operates a realistic ATV driving simulator (MOZA Racing wheel), providing a fun, hands-on experience of vehicle operation.
A female student in a gray sweatshirt smiles enthusiastically while operating the ATV driving simulator. Another female student watches and gives a thumbs-up in the background.
A Honda team member in a white uniform assists a male high school student with long curly hair in assembling a part on a black ATV component, demonstrating a hands-on manufacturing skill.
Close-up of a female student with purple dreadlocks carefully inspecting the fit and finish of a front ATV plastic fascia and headlight assembly. A Honda team member is visible behind her.
A male student wearing glasses and a green shirt leans in close, inspecting the front headlight and tire of an ATV model with a small penlight, focusing on quality and assembly detail.
A Honda team member (wearing a hat) points to and explains the workings of a mechanical engine component display to two male students, demonstrating the technical details of the ATV powertrain.
During today's Board of Education meeting, draft calendars for the 2026-2027 academic year were presented. We invite you to provide your input on the proposed calendar options and share your valuable feedback through our online form, which closes November 21 at 5:00 PM: https://forms.gle/JPLfDrjzKh79dVY1A
18 days ago, ABSS Webmaster
A calendar graphic and magnifying glass with text "Input requested: 2026-2027 Academic Calendar" and the ABSS logo

At B. Everett Jordan, Art Teacher Ms. Cooley and ESL Teacher Jennifer Pearl worked with second graders to create beautiful ofrendas with assistance from the third-grade ESL students! Several parents also attended the event! #ThisisABSS

19 days ago, James Shuler
Second grade students creating ofrendas in a classroom for a Day of the Dead project
A vibrant ofrenda with a portrait of a person on the left and two little girls on the right
At Southern High, the Multilingual Students set up this vibrant Ofrenda in the hallway to commemorate #DíaDeLosMuertos. Staff and students were invited to learn more about the holiday and honor their loved ones. Flower arrangements provided by FFA! #ThisisABSS #DayoftheDead
19 days ago, James Shuler
A vibrant Ofrenda display with a large skull centerpiece is displayed in the hallway at Southern Alamance High School

It's a wrap on a super fun day, but we had to share these highlights! 🎃 While there was plenty of festive fun across the district, and plenty of cookies for our principals, that didn't stop a productive day of learning in our classrooms! Now, for the big reveal... Who's that hiding in the giant Minion costume? Hint: She's the Board chair! 👻 Whether you're celebrating the spooky season or just relaxing, enjoy your fantastic weekend! 🦇 #ThisisABSS

22 days ago, James Shuler
A large minion costumed person stands with a smaller child in a minion costume giving a thumbs up in the school cafeteria
The School Board wearing themed glasses and a graphic saying Happy Halloween
Principal Will Price with a student in a blue polo dressed as him
A clear container of cookies with a sticker celebrating principals
A bunch of staff members dressed as ghosts in front of the AO Elementary sign
Our thoughts are with the Jamaican community, both locally and abroad, as they face the aftermath of the recent hurricane. We stand in solidarity with all those affected. 🇯🇲
24 days ago, James Shuler
The Jamaican flag and a message: "To our Jamaican families and staff: We are here to support you during this challenging time." with the ABSS logo.
Congratulations to Ms. Stonebraker's CTE Foods Science class at Cummings High! The Food Science class won three First Place ribbons for their homemade jams and Third Place was awarded for cupcakes at the State Fair. This was also their first time entering jams!
24 days ago, James Shuler
Two students pose for a photo in front of a glass display case full of baked goods
A jar of strawberry jam with a blue ribbon on top
Board Meeting Highlight: Recognize some of these awesome educators? This is the first Teach for Alamance Cohort and they were recognized at last night's Board meeting! 🍎

This robust scholarship program, a key partnership with Elon University Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, is designed to invest directly in our future leaders. It provides full tuition and a stipend for graduates of the School of Education who enroll in Elon’s Master of Education and Innovation Program. In exchange, these fully licensed teachers commit to teaching in ABSS schools for two years while completing their advanced degrees. It's truly a win-win for our students and teachers!

We are proud to share the program's growth: it has placed eighteen talented teachers in our schools (12 first-year and 6 second-year) since starting just two years ago. A huge thank you to Dean Ann Bullock for her outstanding leadership and collaborative partnership.

Finally, congratulations to Anna Steinki, who is part of this fantastic cohort and was recently recognized as our 2025 Beginning Teacher of the Year! We'll have a video interview from her classroom to share soon. We celebrate her and all of the dedicated educators who are shaping the future of the community.
25 days ago, James Shuler
A side view of four young women from the Teach for Alamance cohort sitting and listening in the audience of the meeting room. They are wearing their matching t-shirts.
A woman with short grey hair (Dean Ann Bullock) wearing a "TEACH FOR ALAMANCE" shirt stands next to a young woman (Anna Steinki) wearing a pink shirt. The young woman holds a framed certificate that reads "ABSS BEGINNING TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2024-2025: Anna Sophia Steinki." Both are smiling for the camera.
A large group of young adults wearing "TEACH FOR ALAMANCE" t-shirts are standing together for a group photo in a meeting room. Several adults are standing with them on the sides. Behind them are large posters with the ABSS logo and the "Portrait of a Graduate."
A wide shot of the Teach for Alamance cohort standing and being applauded by several adults on either side and the audience in the foreground. They are standing in front of large ABSS posters.
A close-up shot of five women in the Teach for Alamance cohort, with one woman speaking into a microphone. The woman with short grey hair stands to the far left, clapping.
A close-up side view of six members of the Teach for Alamance cohort, smiling and standing in a row in their matching t-shirts.
A group of young adults, mostly women, wearing matching light-colored t-shirts that say "TEACH FOR ALAMANCE" in red lettering, are standing in a line in a meeting room. A woman with short grey hair is clapping enthusiastically near the foreground on the left.
During tonight's Board of Education meeting, Chair Sandy Ellington-Graves was surprised by her family as she was recognized for her triumphant defeat of breast cancer. 🩷 Congratulations, Sandy!
25 days ago, James Shuler
Board Chair Sandy Ellington-Graves stands surprised holding a certificate recognizing her as a breast cancer survivor. Her daughter and husband stand behind her with exuberant expressions.
Board Chair Sandy Ellington-Graves stands surprised holding a certificate recognizing her as a breast cancer survivor. Her daughter stands beside her, moving towards her for an embrace.
Family of Board Chair Sandy Ellington-Graves make their way down the aisle in the Board auditorium.
Large group of family present to recognize Sandy Ellington-Graves who is standing in the center with a certificate
School spirit was high at Graham STEAM Middle School on game day, with red and black ❤️ 🖤 on full display! Inside the classrooms, however, the focus was on learning. Teachers passionately delivered lessons while students were hard at work. We visited Ms. Grayson’s Career Lab, where students were immersed in self-paced modules to explore various career pathways. 🚀 Our visit concluded in the cafeteria, where the welcoming aroma of beef dippers led us to the talented nutrition staff preparing for the lunch rush! #ThisisABSS #ABSSCTE
28 days ago, James Shuler
A group of six smiling adults, including a School Resource Officer (SRO) and several teachers wearing red and black Graham Falcons football jerseys, posing together in a hallway.
A teacher with long dark hair and glasses leaning down to help a male student at his desk, pointing to a paper while he holds a pencil. Other students are working in the background.
A group of seven friendly Graham Middle School cafeteria staff in purple shirts, along with a man in a gray suit (Dr. Fleming), posing for a photo in the kitchen area. One staff member in the center is holding a carved orange jack-o'-lantern.
Two female students intently working on a large piece of poster board in the Career Lab, using markers and pencils to draw a design. A laptop is open in the background.
Two male students in a classroom looking at a laptop screen. One student is resting his head on his arms, and the other is navigating a website with the touchpad.
Students working on laptops at hexagonal tables in a classroom, focusing on their individual screens. The room appears to be the Career Lab, with the name "Ms. Grayson" visible on a back wall.
A female student with long hair and bright blue glasses focused on writing notes on a sheet of paper next to her open laptop.
A teacher and two male students standing side-by-side in a classroom. The students are wearing red and black Graham Falcons football jerseys.
A group photo of four students and two teachers in a brightly lit classroom. Two students are flashing peace signs, and the adults are smiling warmly.
Two male students in the Career Lab cooking an omelet. One student is carefully stirring eggs in a small skillet on a portable burner, while the other watches with eggs and cooking tools on the counter.
They came to play and brought the energy! ☀️ The Special Olympics Alamance County Bocce Ball Tournament at Bill Cooke Park was a huge success, with our athletes bringing their A-game. 💪 They were joined by fantastic student volunteers for a day of competitive fun, exercise, and camaraderie in the sun. Thank you to Alamance Parks - Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation, Graham Recreation and Parks Department, and Special Olympics Alamance County for organizing this event, our teachers for your leadership, and all the cheering families for your support! 👏 #ThisisABSS #ABSSCommunity
29 days ago, James Shuler
A teenage girl in a bright blue t-shirt smiles at the camera with her hands clasped in front of her. Several adults and teens stand in the background on the sunny field.
A group of six young adults and teens, including participants and volunteers, pose together for a group photo on the grassy field. One girl sits in a wheelchair in the foreground, wrapped in a colorful blanket.
g A young man in a black t-shirt smiles over his shoulder at the camera, pointing back at his bicep. The photo is taken on a sunny grassy field with other people and a baseball diamond in the distance.
A close-up portrait of two teenage girls standing side-by-side on the field, smiling at the camera with their arms around each other. One girl wears a navy blue sweatshirt.
A young man in a blue and red "Warriors 15" football jersey with his red hood up smiles widely and flexes his biceps at the camera, looking strong and happy.
A young woman wearing sunglasses and wrapped in a vibrant, multi-colored zigzag blanket sits in a wheelchair. A person stands behind her, pushing the chair.
A side profile of a young man in a grey "Champion" hoodie celebrating or cheering with a clenched fist. A female volunteer in a black sweater is clapping beside him.
Three teenage girls stand on the grassy field holding hands in a circle. The girl on the right in a red sweatshirt is laughing joyfully.
A young man in a black hooded sweatshirt leans forward, reaching out with his hands as if rolling a ball for a game. An adult woman in a light blue UNC hoodie stands behind him, watching.
They came to play and brought the energy! ☀️ The Special Olympics Alamance County Bocce Ball Tournament at Bill Cooke Park was a huge success, with our athletes bringing their A-game. 💪 They were joined by fantastic student volunteers for a day of competitive fun, exercise, and camaraderie in the sun. Thank you to Alamance Parks - Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation, Graham Recreation and Parks Department, and Special Olympics Alamance County for organizing this event, our teachers for your leadership, and all the cheering families for your support! 👏 #ThisisABSS #ABSSCommunity
29 days ago, ABSS Webmaster
A group of four students and a volunteer stand side-by-side on a grassy field. The students are wearing a bright orange t-shirt, a black hoodie, and a grey lacrosse hoodie. The volunteer is in a blue long-sleeve athletic shirt.
A teenage boy in a motorized wheelchair smiles as he hits a large, multi-colored beach ball forward with his right hand during an outdoor game on a grassy field.
A group of four people—three students and one adult woman—stand together and smile for a close-up photo on the sunny field. The adult wears sunglasses and a blue polo shirt.
A close-up portrait of a smiling girl with long brown hair and a light blue shirt featuring a cartoon dog graphic. She holds her hands up with open palms on a sunny day.
A large group of high school students and volunteers stand on a sunny grassy field surrounding a seated student in a wheelchair who is holding a beach ball. Everyone is smiling for the group photo.
A large, diverse group of students and adult staff/volunteers, most wearing matching yellow "United We Play, United We Win" shirts, stand on a sunny grassy field and wave or smile for a group photo.
A large group of high school students, most wearing matching yellow shirts that say "United We Play, United We Win," pose for a spirited group photo on a grassy field, making silly faces and hand gestures.
A group of seven high school girls, all wearing matching yellow "United We Play, United We Win" shirts, stand close together on a grassy field and smile for a group photo.
A large group of high school students and volunteers stand on a sunny grassy field surrounding a seated student in a wheelchair who is holding a beach ball. Everyone is smiling for the group photo.
A close-up side view of a teenage boy in a grey t-shirt preparing to throw a small object with his right hand during a game on the grass. A red basket of balls is visible on the ground nearby.