Ribbon-cutting ceremonies set for AHS Zoo School

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies for one of the most innovative educational programs in the country are set for 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 12, when the Asheboro High School (AHS) “Zoo School” is officially unveiled on the grounds of the North Carolina Zoo.

The AHS Zoo School is a science-focused program for up to 100 10th-, 11th-, and 12th -grade students to experience high school in a completely different way. Learning takes place in a real-life setting on the grounds of the N.C. Zoo, ranked among the world’s largest natural habitat zoos.

Students have unprecedented access to a 1500-acre, world-class facility ideal for environmental and biological exploration. Beyond routine science, the zoo offers relevant experiences in zoology, horticulture, marketing, retail, hospitality and art as well as wildlife and plant conservation and research. The AHS program is only the fourth zoo school in the country with similar schools located in Nebraska, Ohio, and Minnesota. The first 100 AHS students officially began classes August 27th.

Speakers for the grand opening ceremonies will include: Asheboro Board of Education Chairman, Steve Jones; Asheboro School Superintendent Dr. Diane Frost; AHS Principal Dr. Larry Riggan; N.C. Zoo Director Dr. David Jones; AHS Zoo School Lead Teacher Heather Soja; and N.C. Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee. Following their remarks, guests are invited to tour the AHS Zoo School facilities located near the zoo’s North American entrance gates.

Based on a model from Lincoln, Nebraska, students in the AHS Zoo School attend one morning class at the AHS campus in Asheboro then travel to classrooms and lab facilities on the N.C. Zoo campus for the remainder of their classes in science, English, mathematics and social studies. Students become actively involved in learning through problem solving and using the zoo as their classroom. Technology is a major component of the program with laptop computers, classroom work stations, SmartBoards, digital imaging and handheld computers all utilized in class assignments.

AHS Zoo School teachers collaborate with N.C. Zoo educators and other zoo staff to allow students to experience science on a daily basis. Students remain part of Asheboro High School while experiencing the benefits of the AHS Zoo School’s environmentally-oriented curriculum. 

The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor.