Admissions | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

One school. Many options. Limitless possibilities.

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics educates academically talented students to become state, national, and global leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Founded as the nation’s first public, residential STEM high school, we let North Carolina students design your future through challenging programs driven by instructional excellence and the excitement of discovery.

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Explore our programs

Residential Programs

Some 980 students live and learn in our Residential program on our Durham and Morganton campuses

Durham Residential

Each year, 680 students live and learn in the two-year Residential program as high school juniors and seniors taking rigorous math, science, and humanities courses at NCSSM-Durham, situated among historic in-town neighborhoods within walking distance of Duke University in this mid-size city. The campus was founded in 1980 to create the nation’s first public, residential high school featuring STEM education.

Programs At A Glance

11th- and 12th-graders
Durham, NC
Free
All faculty have master’s/doctorate

Morganton Residential

NCSSM’s two-year Residential high school experience with rigorous math, science, and humanities courses is now offered at our newest campus composed of new and newly renovated historic buildings on a ridge-top setting. In this picturesque western North Carolina town surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreation, each year we serve 300 juniors and seniors from across NC in a life-changing living-learning community.

Programs At A Glance

11th- and 12th-graders
Morganton, NC
Free
All faculty have master’s/doctorate

Summer Programs

For rising 5th through 12th graders who seek academic challenge, growth, and like-minded peers

Accelerator

Tuition-based courses available to students from anywhere in the world that offer students academic growth through engaging, challenging STEM courses on topics they can relate to. Students learn with like-minded peers and are taught by scientists, university professors, engineers, and others who bring real-world experience and activities to the Accelerator learning experience.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 7th- through 12th-graders
Residential programs in Durham and Morganton; online courses
Various week sessions, June-July
Cost: $495 – $695 (virtual); $1,495 – $1,925 (residential)

Early Accelerator

Summer academic programs that offer younger students exciting and innovative ways to explore STEM concepts. Through interactive and hands-on activities, students will embark on a series of STEM adventures. These non-residential, day programs are held on NCSSM’s Durham and Morganton campuses.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 5th- and 6th-graders
Day programs in Durham and Morganton
Various week sessions, June-July
Cost: $350

INSPIRE

INtroducing STEM Pathways through Inquiry and Research Experiences is a free, one-week residential summer program for rising 11th graders who live in NC designed for, but not limited to, students from underrepresented groups. The weeklong residential program at NCSSM-Morganton pairs students with mentors to work on project offering experiences in STEM research and in solving complex, real-world problems.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 11th-graders who live in NC
NCSSM-Morganton
One-week session in June
No cost

Step Up to STEM

An innovative interdisciplinary academic program that uses exciting real-world subjects to challenge rising 9th and 10th graders across North Carolina and build their skills in science, math, technology, and communications.

Programs At A Glance

Rising ninth- and 10th-graders who live in NC
Residential program at NCSSM-Durham and ECSU
Various week sessions, June-July
No cost

Summer Ventures

A a no-cost, state-funded program for academically talented North Carolina students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You will have the opportunity to engage in research with faculty and get hands-on experience at a university.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 11th- and 12th-graders who live in NC
Residential program, hosted at various UNC System universities
Four-week session
No cost

Teamship

NC Teamship Showcase welcomes students who have participated in a Teamship Experience at schools or organizations hosting the Teamship program. This includes the many districts participating in the Spark Teamship Program.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 9th- through 12th-grade NC students who have completed a local District C Teamship experience
Residential program at NCSSM-Durham
8-day session (with 2 days virtual)
No cost; includes a small stipend

I’m Not Sure

I am a student in the grade looking to study for

Accelerator

Tuition-based courses available to students from anywhere in the world that offer students academic growth through engaging, challenging STEM courses on topics they can relate to. Students learn with like-minded peers and are taught by scientists, university professors, engineers, and others who bring real-world experience and activities to the Accelerator learning experience.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 7th- through 12th-graders
Residential programs in Durham and Morganton; online courses
Various week sessions, June-July
Cost: $495 – $695 (virtual); $1,495 – $1,925 (residential)

Durham Residential

Each year, 680 students live and learn in the two-year Residential program as high school juniors and seniors taking rigorous math, science, and humanities courses at NCSSM-Durham, situated among historic in-town neighborhoods within walking distance of Duke University in this mid-size city. The campus was founded in 1980 to create the nation’s first public, residential high school featuring STEM education.

Programs At A Glance

11th- and 12th-graders
Durham, NC
Free
All faculty have master’s/doctorate

Early Accelerator

Summer academic programs that offer younger students exciting and innovative ways to explore STEM concepts. Through interactive and hands-on activities, students will embark on a series of STEM adventures. These non-residential, day programs are held on NCSSM’s Durham and Morganton campuses.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 5th- and 6th-graders
Day programs in Durham and Morganton
Various week sessions, June-July
Cost: $350

INSPIRE

INtroducing STEM Pathways through Inquiry and Research Experiences is a free, one-week residential summer program for rising 11th graders who live in NC designed for, but not limited to, students from underrepresented groups. The weeklong residential program at NCSSM-Morganton pairs students with mentors to work on project offering experiences in STEM research and in solving complex, real-world problems.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 11th-graders who live in NC
NCSSM-Morganton
One-week session in June
No cost

Morganton Residential

NCSSM’s two-year Residential high school experience with rigorous math, science, and humanities courses is now offered at our newest campus composed of new and newly renovated historic buildings on a ridge-top setting. In this picturesque western North Carolina town surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreation, each year we serve 300 juniors and seniors from across NC in a life-changing living-learning community.

Programs At A Glance

11th- and 12th-graders
Morganton, NC
Free
All faculty have master’s/doctorate

NCSSM Connect

Semester-long distance education courses offered virtually via videoconference during the school day at a student’s home school which is an NCSSM Connect partner school. These tuition-free, honors-level and AP courses in STEM and humanities expand the curriculum offered at North Carolina schools.

Programs At A Glance

Ninth- through 12th-graders
Virtual from home high school
Free
Contact a school counselor

NCSSM Online

A supplemental, sequenced two-year honors program that provides the NCSSM experience virtually through evening webinars and asynchronous assignments to students across the state who remain in their home community. Students completing the program receive a certificate of completion, with the option to dual enroll for local school course credit.

Programs At A Glance

11th- and 12th-graders
Virtual
Free
Application required

Step Up to STEM

An innovative interdisciplinary academic program that uses exciting real-world subjects to challenge rising 9th and 10th graders across North Carolina and build their skills in science, math, technology, and communications.

Programs At A Glance

Rising ninth- and 10th-graders who live in NC
Residential program at NCSSM-Durham and ECSU
Various week sessions, June-July
No cost

Summer Ventures

A a no-cost, state-funded program for academically talented North Carolina students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You will have the opportunity to engage in research with faculty and get hands-on experience at a university.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 11th- and 12th-graders who live in NC
Residential program, hosted at various UNC System universities
Four-week session
No cost

Teamship

NC Teamship Showcase welcomes students who have participated in a Teamship Experience at schools or organizations hosting the Teamship program. This includes the many districts participating in the Spark Teamship Program.

Programs At A Glance

Rising 9th- through 12th-grade NC students who have completed a local District C Teamship experience
Residential program at NCSSM-Durham
8-day session (with 2 days virtual)
No cost; includes a small stipend

How to apply

Eligible applicants may apply to NCSSM’s Residential, Online, or Summer Ventures program or all three, using one electronic application. There is no application fee or cost for tuition, meals, room/board, or textbooks for these three programs.

In order to complete the 2023-24 application process and be considered for the NCSSM Class of 2026, potential applicants must complete ALL of the requirements within the required time frames.

The application process for the Class of 2026 will open on Oct. 15, 2023, at noon and close on Jan. 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

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1

Be eligible

Applicants must be in their second year of high school
Applicants applying for the Class of 2026 must establish permanent legal residency in the state of North Carolina by December 1, 2023, and are required to complete the residency application using the North Carolina Residency Determination Services (RDS) by January 30, 2024.

Check eligibility

2

Standardized tests (SAT or ACT)

Standardized Test Update for the Class of 2026

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) will waive the standardized test requirement (SAT and/or ACT) for the Class of 2026. For students who choose to submit standardized test score reports, those score reports will not be considered as part of the NCSSM admissions review process, as we strive to ensure equity for all students across the state of North Carolina.

Questions? Contact Admissions

3

Complete application

NCSSM has partnered with the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) to create the NCSSM electronic application. To complete an application, you must have a CFNC account. Go to www.cfnc.org read through the instructions and create a CFNC account. Once you have created an account or if you already have a CFNC account, log into CFNC.org.

For specific instructions on filling out the NCSSM Application at CFNC.org, see the Application Help Guide.

Preview essay questions.

Applicants must have each section of the application completed via the CFNC.org electronic application by January 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this deadline.

Go to application

4

Request evaluations

Evaluations are required from each of these by February 28, 2024:

9th or 10th STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Teacher
9th or 10th grade English Teacher
Guidance counselor—Must be your current 10th grade guidance counselor

Read evaluation guidebook

5

Submit a transcript

February 15 to February 28, 2024

The window for submitting transcripts and report cards will open on February 15, 2024, and close on February 28, 2024. Applicants can submit or report their grades using one of the following methods:

CFNC: Applicants can submit their official transcripts using www.cfnc.org. If the applicant is enrolled in a year-long course, they will need to request that their current year counselor submit an official report card to the Office of Admissions to accompany their transcript.
- Log in to CFNC.org
- Under the Apply Section, click To College, and then Transcript Manager
- Select North Carolina School of Science and Math from the pull-down menu
Applicants can request that their counselor send an official copy by US Postal Service: Attn: NCSSM Office of Admissions, 1219 Broad Street, Durham, North Carolina, 27705 or by uploading it and sending it electronically to transcripts@ncssm.edu.
Self Reporting: Applicants can upload an unofficial copy of their transcript in Blackbaud. If the applicant is enrolled in a year-long course, they will need to scan and submit a copy of their report card in Blackbaud to accompany their transcript. Note: Applicants that are extended an offer for enrollment will be contingent on NCSSM receiving an official transcript from their home high school.

6

NCSSM Discovery Days (NCSSM Math Assessment)

Applicants for the Class of 2026 who apply to NCSSM residential campuses (Durham and/or Morganton) are required to take the NCSSM Math Assessment as part of their application. Applicants will register in their Blackbaud account to take the NCSSM Math Assessment on one of the following dates:

NCSSM-Durham
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Saturday, February 17, 2024

NCSSM-Morganton
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Saturday, February 17, 2024

Note: Applicants will receive information about registering for one of the assessment dates once the CFNC application process closes on January 5, 2024.

Helping NC students design your future

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Upcoming events

Event

American Indian Powwow

February 3, 2024

Event

Teaching Contemporary Mathematics Conference

February 23 – 24, 2024

NCSSM Admissions Team

Rob Andrews

Associate Director of Admissions

Mattie Gaddy-Parks

Director of Admissions

Jennifer Garrison

University Program Associate

Kinesha Harris ’12

Admissions Counselor and Coordinator for Events and Campus Visitations

Tracy Poole

Admissions Counselor and Web-Based Media Specialist

David Stevenson

Associate Director of Admissions