Beyond What We Envisioned 25 Years Ago

Julia-Brent Milholen is one of the founders of Chatham Charter School. As a member of the central services team that will work with Chatham Charter and Central Carolina Academy, she will focus on student admissions and the Board of Directors. 

The campus itself is not so different from what we dreamed back in the early 1990s. However, when I reflect back on the last 25 years, the positive impact it has had on the community has exceeded what I could have imagined. The students, staff, and families who have come through Chatham Charter have formed bonds and connections that are unique. Many of us would never have even crossed paths had we not been together here, especially because we draw from so many surrounding communities. I also recognize how much the school has helped our community and the people who work here during periods of time when the economic climate of Siler City was distressed. 

When the founders of this school began to discuss what we would like to build, it was a K-12 school with all the facilities needed and that it would be a college preparatory school. We started as a K-8 school and were able to add high school grades in 2013. In 2022 we are living the dream. I was excited to report at Chatham Charter’s 25th anniversary celebration in October of 2021 how our campus has grown. In 1993 we originally purchased 35 acres for our campus, added an additional 35 about 10 years later, and a few years ago purchased about 10 more to have a campus of over 85 acres. In addition to tennis and baseball fields, we now have a softball field, two soccer fields, and a two-story addition to the gym that contains expanded athletic spaces and two classrooms. One of the classrooms houses our middle and high school instrumental music program, now in its third year. Patience is part of the process when you create a new entity. 

What does it take for Chatham Charter to continue forward progress toward expansion of our facilities and offerings for our students? It takes the right group of people doing the right things at the right time for our school to thrive. It’s not just about talking about it; it’s about doing it. It takes people who are willing to do whatever it takes. No matter how many times we each have to step out of our comfort zone, the reward of seeing the fruits of your labor is the greatest reward of all. Sometimes new opportunities come your way unexpectedly. Being asked to replicate Chatham Charter’s high school academic program and create a replication school was definitely not something I could have envisioned 25 years ago. Being involved in making our special experience available to a nearby community is exciting for me at this phase in my life. Creating Central Carolina Academy in partnership with Chatham Charter has reignited my passion and enthusiasm for offering educational and extracurricular opportunities that can be life changing. I am thrilled to anticipate watching CCA evolve to meet the needs of families in its community. I believe you will be able to look back 25 years from now and celebrate the amazing accomplishments achieved in building Central Carolina Academy. What will your role be in CCA’s success? 

Central Carolina Academy is a new public charter school that will open in August of 2022 for students in grades 6-10 and gradually expand to also serve grades 11 and 12. The rigorous academic program will focus on college preparedness and skilled workforce development by maximizing the NC Career and College Promise. The school will be located in Lee County NC. Students do not have to live in Lee County to apply. Public charter schools in North Carolina do not charge tuition. 

 For additional information about the application process that will open January 1, 2022 email info@centralcarolinaacademy.org. To learn more about the academic program, contact lead administrator Greg Batten at gbatten@centralcarolinaacademy.org.