Accelerator

Tuition-based courses available to students from anywhere in the world that offer students academic growth through engaging, challenging STEM courses on topics they can relate to. Students learn with like-minded peers and are taught by scientists, university professors, engineers, and others who bring real-world experience and activities to the Accelerator learning experience.

Programs At A Glance

• Rising 7th- through 12th-graders
• Residential programs in Durham and Morganton; online courses
• Various week sessions, June-July
• Cost: $495 – $695 (virtual); $1,495 – $1,925 (residential)

Durham Commencement

44th Commencement Exercises

Friday, May 23, 2025

Please join us as we graduate our 44th class of Residential students on Friday, May 23, on the school’s Durham campus. The accomplished candidates represent all 13 Congressional Districts across the state of North Carolina.

Location:Watts Lawn

Programs At A Glance

• Friday, May 23, 2025
• NCSSM-Durham campus

Durham Residential

Each year, 680 students live and learn in the two-year Residential program as high school juniors and seniors taking rigorous math, science, and humanities courses at NCSSM-Durham, situated among historic in-town neighborhoods within walking distance of Duke University in this mid-size city. The campus was founded in 1980 to create the nation’s first public, residential high school featuring STEM education.

Programs At A Glance

• 11th- and 12th-graders
• Durham, NC
• Free
• All faculty have master’s/doctorate

Early Accelerator

Summer academic programs that offer younger students exciting and innovative ways to explore STEM concepts. Through interactive and hands-on activities, students will embark on a series of STEM adventures. These non-residential, day programs are held on NCSSM’s Durham and Morganton campuses.

Programs At A Glance

• Rising 5th- and 6th-graders
• Day programs in Durham and Morganton
• Various week sessions, June-July
• Cost: $350

INSPIRE

INtroducing STEM Pathways through Inquiry and Research Experiences is a free, one-week residential summer program for rising 11th graders who live in NC designed for, but not limited to, students from underrepresented groups. The weeklong residential program at NCSSM-Morganton pairs students with mentors to work on project offering experiences in STEM research and in solving complex, real-world problems.

Programs At A Glance

• Rising 11th-graders who live in NC
• NCSSM-Morganton
• One-week session in June
• No cost

Morganton Commencement

2nd Commencement Exercises

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Please join us as we graduate our second class of Residential students on Thursday, May 22, on the school’s Morganton campus. The accomplished candidates represent all 13 Congressional Districts across the state of North Carolina.

Location: Lawn outside of the Barn

Programs At A Glance

• Thursday, May 22, 2025
• NCSSM-Morganton campus

Morganton Residential

NCSSM’s two-year Residential high school experience with rigorous math, science, and humanities courses is now offered at our newest campus composed of new and newly renovated historic buildings on a ridge-top setting. In this picturesque western North Carolina town surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreation, each year we serve 300 juniors and seniors from across NC in a life-changing living-learning community.

Programs At A Glance

• 11th- and 12th-graders
• Morganton, NC
• Free
• All faculty have master’s/doctorate

NCSSM Connect

Semester-long distance education courses offered virtually via videoconference during the school day at a student’s home school which is an NCSSM Connect partner school. These tuition-free, honors-level and AP courses in STEM and humanities expand the curriculum offered at North Carolina schools.

Programs At A Glance

• Ninth- through 12th-graders
• Virtual from home high school
• Free
• Contact a school counselor

NCSSM Online

A supplemental, sequenced two-year honors program that provides the NCSSM experience virtually through evening webinars and asynchronous assignments to students across the state who remain in their home community. Students completing the program receive a certificate of completion, with the option to dual enroll for local school course credit.

Programs At A Glance

• 11th- and 12th-graders
• Virtual
• Free
• Application required

Step Up to STEM

An innovative interdisciplinary academic program that uses exciting real-world subjects to challenge rising 9th and 10th graders across North Carolina and build their skills in science, math, technology, and communications.

Programs At A Glance

• Rising ninth- and 10th-graders who live in NC
• Residential program at NCSSM-Durham and ECSU
• Various week sessions, June-July
• No cost

Summer Ventures

Aa no-cost, state-funded program for academically talented North Carolina students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You will have the opportunity to engage in research with faculty and get hands-on experience at a university.

Programs At A Glance

• Rising 11th- and 12th-graders who live in NC
• Residential program, hosted at various UNC System universities
• Four-week session
• No cost

Teamship

NC Teamship Showcase welcomes students who have participated in a Teamship Experience at schools or organizations hosting theTeamship program. This includes the many districts participating in the Spark Teamship Program.

Programs At A Glance

• Rising 9th- through 12th-grade NC students who have completed a local District C Teamship experience
• Residential program at NCSSM-Durham
• 8-day session (with 2 days virtual)
• No cost; includes a small stipend