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Cloverleaf hopes to open a new book on education
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Published: February 26, 2009
If all goes according to plan, Cloverleaf Elementary's magnetic force will entice out-of-district families to enroll their children in Iredell-Statesville School.
Cloverleaf Elementary, set to open in August on James Farm Road and combine Northview and Ebenezer schools, will be the district's first math, science and technology magnet school.
As a school choice option, any family in the county can apply to have their children enrolled in the school. Principal Wayne Harwell has received 125 applications; the school has room for 125 more students.
"It's exciting to be involved with the school from groundbreaking to opening of the doors," said Harwell.
The school's capacity is 850 students and will have a kindergarten and first-grade wing, second- and third-grade wing, and fourth- and fifth-grade wing.
It will also have a gymnasium, media center, cafeteria, two computer labs, music room, science lab, nurse's office, teacher workrooms and more.
Although the Standard Course of Study will be adhered to, what happens in the classrooms will be different from a traditional setting.
Math, science and technology will be used to "integrate the total curriculum," Harwell said.
To push the boundaries of learning, interactive boards will be placed in every classroom and students will use a handheld response system that allows them to immediately see results of tests.
"We will be able to hit the kids with a whole lot of technology in any area we want to," he said.
Superintendent Terry Holliday said the district was looking for a way to better involve a science initiative at the elementary level.
"We thought what a great time to implement a math, science and technology in Iredell County," he said.
"If it works we'll be able to expand it to other schools across the district."
In addition, a science enhancement will be added to the weekly class rotation.
Students will visit a science lab once a week for 45 minutes, where they will conduct hands-on experiments.
Students will have the opportunity to experiment with live animals while learning about them.
"Kids do better when they're having fun so integrating technology and the hands-on approach we're hoping is the cure for what ails us,"Harwell said.
The school will even take an alternative approach to homework. Students will have fewer worksheets for homework, but more research-based homework.
"Parents should be looking for them to come home asking thought-provoking questions," he said.
During the school day, students will work in groups according to their learning ability and level.
Harwell said they will challenge and push every student to reach their potential.
As the years progress, he predicts Cloverleaf will become a feeder school for the International Baccalaureate program.
"We're getting them ready for the 21st century lifestyle that's going to be there when they get older," Harwell said.
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