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Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools Micro School

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools Mico School, nominated by Teach for America, is an elementary/middle school in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily rural area.

Location Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Governance Public District School

Grades Elementary, Middle

Students 24

Locale Rural

Micro School Administrator Colina Bartlett

Demographics

Percentage of students*

—

English Learners

100%

Free/Reduced Lunch

1%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 46%

American Indian/Alaska Native —

Asian —

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —

Hispanic or Latino —

White 25%

2+ Races —

Why Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools Micro School was nominated

Elizabeth City’s micro school is reimagining what school can be inside a traditional public system. Students work in mixed grade communities and spend their days designing a real Airbnb concept, merging science, social studies, and English standards into a meaningful project with authentic audience and purpose. Young people lead the marketing plan, develop the concept, and manage the full creative process, gaining skills in research, writing, collaboration, and design. The learning environment extends into the community. Students take gym at a local fitness center, study photography with a local photographer, and create art at a local performing arts studio. This approach opens up the entire region as a learning campus and shows what is possible when schools partner deeply with local talent. Perhaps most importantly, the school is proving that bold innovation can flourish in a traditional district. With a superintendent who completed Transcend’s rural leadership cohort and is committed to big, human centered change, the team has navigated bureaucratic structures to create experiences that are engaging, effective, and empowering for all students.

Student experience design

The student experience at our Micro School is designed to be engaging, personalized, and deeply connected to the real world. We inspire every learner through project-based and individualized learning grounded in core academic content while extending into meaningful, real-life applications. Students actively apply what they learn through authentic projects, such as managing a short-term rental through Airbnb. Through this experience, they gain hands-on knowledge of business operations, including budgeting, marketing, problem-solving, and customer service—developing practical skills that prepare them for future careers and entrepreneurship. We foster curiosity, creativity, and confidence by integrating hands-on experiences into everyday learning. Students participate in wellness and physical development through Revitalize Fitness, and explore the arts—dance, theatre, music, and drumming—through Arts of the Albemarle. These opportunities encourage self-expression, collaboration, and personal growth. Student voice and leadership are also central to the experience. Learners regularly speak in public settings, including conferences, where they present their ideas and projects, strengthening their communication and confidence. At the same time, we are committed to educating the whole child by embedding social and emotional learning through NXU, helping students build resilience, self-awareness, and strong interpersonal skills. With a flexible curriculum that meets each student where they are, our Micro School creates a supportive and dynamic environment where learners are empowered to grow academically, develop real-world skills, lead with confidence, and succeed in all areas of life.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Adaptive Learning Software
Less than a year

AI-assisted Tutoring
Less than a year

Co-leadership
Less than a year

Community And Workforce Partnerships
Less than a year

SEL Curriculum
Less than a year

All Practices

AI For Learning Materials

AI For Teacher Productivity

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Career Exploration

Client Projects

Family And Community Support Services

Culturally Responsive Practices

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Grading Policies Focus On Mastery

Higher Education Partnerships

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Individual Learning Paths

Mental Health Services

1:1 Mentoring

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Multi-age Classrooms

Project-based Learning

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

High Quality Instructional Materials

Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need

Restorative Practices

School-based Enterprises

SEL Integration School-wide

Student-led Conferences

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Trauma-informed Practices

Universal Design For Learning

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating

Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools

Respond to stakeholder demand or advocacy

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.