During his 14th day-long school visit, Dr. Rob Jackson was all charged up to learn more about Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discover Academy, or NDA for short! According to principal Heather Brookshire, NDA is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) focused high school for grades 9-12. It is a high-performing school achieving an overall performance grade of A (98) with a 99.1% proficiency rate and a growth score of 95.4 for the 2021-22 school year. The school offers a unique educational experience designed to ready students for college and careers in the STEM disciplines. The school comprises 400 students from around Buncombe County and almost 30 staff members.
“We are committed to providing a rigorous, student-centered curriculum that emphasizes problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration,” said Principal Brookshire. “Nesbitt students are immersed in a cross-curricular, STEM-focused, challenging, and engaging academic program. We offer PLTW pathways in the areas of Engineering, Computer Science, and Biomedical Science. Business partnerships are an integral part of our program, which encompasses guest speakers, mentorships, industry tours, job shadowing, and internships. Courses are offered at the Honors, AP, and college level. Our school culture represents a college-like atmosphere as students navigate their day with no bells. NDA students benefit from accelerated learning in an environment that supports their academic growth as individuals.”
Among the unique offerings, students participate in organizations such as the National Honor Society, Envirothon, Robotics, Science Olympiad, and Math Club at the local, regional, state, and national levels. Students may participate in athletics, theater, JROTC, and band, for example, at their base high schools.
