1. What is NCSSM?

NCSSM is the world's first public, residential high school for juniors and seniors that provides a specialized curriculum in the areas of math, science and technology.

2. Is there a cost associated with attending?

No. There are no fees associating with applying, being accepted or attending NCSSM.

3. Are science and math the only subjects taught at NCSSM?

No. NCSSM has one of the richest and most engaging Humanities departments in the state. It also has thriving music and arts programs, and offers a number of languages and drama.

4. Where do students come from?

By legislative mandate, NCSSM accepts only students from North Carolina and does so equally across all 13 congressional districts. The School's alumni also represent all 100 counties, with around 90 counties represented in the student body at any time.

5. How many NCSSM students go on to college?

Over 99% of NCSSM graduates attend college the year after graduation. The small number who do not attend college usually elect to volunteer or defer college admittance until the following year.

6. What's the ethnic makeup typically?

NCSSM is very proud to have an extremely diverse population. On average, the school's population is 12% African American, 59% Caucasian, 3% Hispanic, 25% Asian American, and 1% Native American. This diverse population generates countless activities and festivals such as the American Indian Powwow, World Fest, Africa Fest, Hispanic Fest, and an Asian Cultures club.

7. What are the graduation requirements for students?

To receive a diploma from NCSSM, students must meet higher graduation requirements that include, but are not limited to, precalculus and mathematical modeling; advanced biology, chemistry and physics; a nationally recognized humanities program; and mastery of a foreign language at an intermediate level or higher.

8. How do NCSSM students and alumni give back to the state?

Community service has been a graduation requirement since 1982. During the summer of 2006, students provided more than 19,000 hours of service to more than 250 nonprofits throughout the state. Nearly 75% of the School's alumni pay North Carolina taxes, many of whom work in medicine, pharmaceutical research, computer sciences and education, endeavors that improve our quality of life.

9. How does NCSSM serve the state?

The School's Distance Education and Extended Programs division continues to be the state leader in K-12 educational programming averaging about 350 hours per month of connections in 2006-2007. This allowed 27 high schools the chance to offer their students 16 different credit courses, including Genetics and Biotechnology, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, and AP Physics. With credit courses and enrichment programs, NCSSM serves nearly 4,000 students statewide each year.