Saved Schools

Southeast Area Technical High School (SEA-TECH)

Southeast Area Technical High School (SEA-TECH), nominated by Open Way Learning, is a high school in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily rural area.

Location Castle Hayne, North Carolina

Governance Public District School

Grades High

Students 241

Locale Rural

Principal Edith L Skipper, Ed.D.

Demographics

Percentage of students*

5%

English Learners

100%

Free/Reduced Lunch

10%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 20%

American Indian/Alaska Native 1%

Asian 3%

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino 14%

White 59%

2+ Races

Why Southeast Area Technical High School (SEA-TECH) was nominated

SEA-TECH takes a unique and impressive approach to the high school experience with an intentional focus on skill development through project based learning, flexible scheduling, and direct collaboration with industry partners. While meeting traditional academic requirements as a district school, SEA-TECH provides every student with the opportunity to receive "stackable credentials" and industry certifications through real-world, work-based training, internships and apprenticeships.

Student experience design

Our students explore a dual enrollment education within an inclusive, supportive, and individualized learning environment. Students are able to navigate the complexity of their own individual interests as scaffolded within a small, familial environment.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Student Advisories

5+ years

Early College High School

5+ years

Industry-recognized Credentials

5+ years

Internships

5+ years

School-based Enterprises

1-2 years

All Practices

Advancement On Mastery

AI For Teacher Productivity

Anti-racist Practices

Apprenticeships

Assessments For Career Readiness

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Blended Learning

Career Advising & Support

Career Exploration

Co-leadership

College Advising & Support

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Family And Community Support Services

Competency/mastery-based Education

Cooperative Education

Culturally Responsive Practices

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Higher Education Partnerships

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Educators Have Industry Experience

Industry-aligned Learning Pathways

Individual Learning Paths

Mental Health Services

1:1 Mentoring

Micro-credentials And Badging

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Multi-age Classrooms

Industry Networking

No Tracked Classes

Project-based Learning

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need

Restorative Practices

SEL Integration School-wide

Service Learning

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Self-paced Learning

Students Develop Projects

Trauma-informed Practices

Tutoring

Universal Design For Learning

Youth Employment Programs

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating

Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools

Increase student agency

Increase teacher agency

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

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