In a quiet corner of North Carolina, Hoke County Schools is engaged in one of the most vital and complex tasks in America today: educating a profoundly diverse and rapidly changing student body. It’s a story of more than just education; it’s about becoming the trusted hub of a community, fostering inclusion, and building bespoke pathways to success for every single child.
There is a unique character to the land in Hoke County, North Carolina. It’s a place carved from the historic boundaries of Cumberland and Robeson Counties back in 1911, a place where the soil of the Sandhills holds stories of agriculture, military life, and enduring community. In this landscape of longleaf pines and quiet strength, Hoke County Schools has, for over a century, been the institution charged with cultivating the region’s most precious resource: its children.
To look at Hoke County Schools today is to see a microcosm of a changing America. It is a district that began as three separate entities and has since evolved into a unified system of 14 schools, serving a dynamic tapestry of faces and backgrounds. This is not just a place where children learn reading and arithmetic; it is a place where different cultures meet and merge, where the children of long-settled families sit beside newcomers, and where the future of the entire community is being written in real-time.
Under the leadership of its Superintendent, Dr. Kenneth Spells, the district is on a mission. It is a mission defined by a clear-eyed vision: to be a “trusted community partner” that provides an “inclusive and supportive environment.” This isn’t the hollow language of a corporate memo; in Hoke County, it is a daily practice. It’s a practice visible in the diverse academic pathways designed for a student body of over 8,500, in the robust network of community partnerships that treat the school as a vital hub, and in the ambition of a leader who is determined to make this a destination district for students and teachers alike. This is the story of how one school district is not just responding to change, but harnessing it to build a more resilient and future-ready generation.
A Tapestry of Faces, A Unified Mission
Hoke County Schools is dedicated to meeting students where they are, providing targeted support and resources that reflect the unique backgrounds, needs, and strengths of its diverse student population.
To understand the work being done in Hoke County, it is essential to recognize the community it serves. The student body represents a rich and evolving demographic mosaic. Hoke County is a diverse and dynamic community, home to various demographic groups, including a growing Hispanic population that enriches its schools and neighborhoods.
Located near Fort Bragg—the largest military base in the nation by population—Hoke County proudly serves a student body in which approximately 33% are connected to the military. This unique demographic brings both strengths and challenges, such as frequent school transitions and the emotional impact of deployments.
Hoke County Schools is deeply committed to supporting the educational continuity, stability, and well-being of all its students, especially those navigating the complexities of military life.
This is where the district’s mission to “foster high expectations for all stakeholders, promote lifelong learning, and provide individualized support” comes to life. Strategies like the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the TIPS (Team Initiated Problem Solving) framework are in place to identify and address academic and behavioral needs early.
Moreover, culturally responsive teaching, supported by bilingual staff and family engagement events, ensures that every student’s background is not just acknowledged but valued as an asset. It’s a holistic approach, recognizing that a student’s success is intrinsically linked to their sense of belonging.
The Promise of a Pathway
In Hoke County Schools, the educational journey is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It is a carefully curated menu of opportunities designed to prepare students for a world that demands specialization, flexibility, and real-world skills. The academic offerings are a testament to the district’s focus on personalized learning and career readiness.
For academically and intellectually gifted (AIG) students, there are specialized services to challenge and inspire them. For those with an eye on a specific career, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer robust pathways that can lead to internships, apprenticeships, and valuable industry-recognized credentials. Students can be found job-shadowing with local employers or earning certifications before they even graduate. The district’s annual Student Job Fair is a major event, a tangible bridge connecting students directly to the local economy. Core instruction is reinforced with powerful tools like i-Ready to support personalized learning paths, and high achievers are recognized with designations like NC Scholar and Latin honors.
One of the district’s most innovative offerings is its Dual Language Immersion program, where students learn in both English and Spanish, creating a generation of bilingual and biliterate citizens. For high schoolers looking to get a head start, the opportunities are exceptional. The Career & College Promise program allows them to earn college credits for free while still in high school, and the acclaimed SandHoke Early College High School provides a rigorous, supportive environment where students can earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree simultaneously. These diverse and powerful pathways ensure that whether a student is college-bound, career-focused, or both, they leave Hoke County Schools with a clear plan and the tools for success.
More Than a School, A Community Hub
The belief that the district must be a “trusted community partner” is woven into every aspect of its operations. The schools in Hoke County are not isolated islands of learning; they are bustling community hubs, fortified by a web of strategic partnerships. This work begins before students even enter kindergarten, through collaborations with Smart Start and Head Start that build a strong foundation for school readiness.
Safety and positive engagement are paramount, a mission supported by a strong partnership with the Hoke County Sheriff’s Department, which provides dedicated School Resource Officers (SROs) for the campuses. The connection to the community extends to health and recreation, with Hoke County Parks and Recreation offering athletic programs and using school grounds for beloved community events like the Autism Walk and Breakfast with Santa.
The network of support is vast, including vital collaborations with the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), local hospitals, and civic organizations like the Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus, and the Chamber of Commerce. These partners contribute everything from student support services to recognition for student achievement, creating a powerful ecosystem dedicated to the well-being of every child and family.
This sense of community and shared purpose is also reflected in the vibrant extracurricular life of the district. Across its traditional high school, three feeder middle schools, and Early College, the district fields an impressive 68 competitive athletic teams in sports like football, volleyball, and basketball. Beyond sports, enrichment programs like the Army JROTC, Robotics, Marching Band, Speech and Debate, Battle of the Books, eSports, and Theatre offer a place for every passion. Students also develop leadership skills in clubs such as the Beta Club, National Honor Society (NHS), HOSA, and Student Government, often competing and winning at regional, state, and national levels.
The Heart of a Leader
The driving force behind this ambitious vision is Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Spells. A self-described servant leader, his philosophy is clear and direct: “I lead from the front. I am committed to improving student achievement.” His goal is not just to maintain the status quo, but to elevate the entire district. “I want to make this the best school district in North Carolina,” he states with conviction. “I want to make this a destination district for students and teachers.”
This ambition is backed by a clear plan for the future. Dr. Spells is focused on adding a CEO program with a corporate board component, an initiative designed to give students high-level business and leadership experience. He also plans to expand the district’s foreign language offerings, further preparing students for a globalized world.
His message to the community is one of limitless potential and shared responsibility. “Our district wants all students to be successful and reach for the stars,” he says. It’s a message built on the foundational belief that serves as the district’s motto: “Knowledge is Power!”
This philosophy permeates the entire leadership structure, from the Board of Education providing governance to the essential departments, such as Transportation, Child Nutrition, Maintenance, Human Resources, and Finance. It is a massive, coordinated effort, all singularly focused on creating an environment where students can thrive. For Hoke County Schools, the future is not something to be passively awaited. It is something to be actively and inclusively built, one student at a time.
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“Our district wants all students to be successful and reach for the stars.”
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