NCSSM Summer Accelerator program, sponsored by Dogwood Health Trust

Middle and high school students in the 18 western NC counties encompassed by the Dogwood Health Trust will be offered a FREE Summer Accelerator course!

These programs will be residential and will all be held at NCSSM-Morganton for one week only.

July 19th – 24th, 2026

Information Session Tuesday February 3rd at 6:30

You MUST live in one of these 18 counties in the Dogwood Health Trust area: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey as well as the Qualla Boundary. 

The application process is competitive so plan to apply early.  The deadline to apply for this program is March 13th, 2026! Students will be selected for this program in late March and notified of their acceptance or waitlist status by early April.

Summer Accelerator 7th – 9th Grade

Aviation | Chris Hynes, Instructor | Morganton campus

LEGO Robotics | Jeff Brown, Instructor | Morganton campus 

Summer Accelerator 10th – 12th Grade

Exploring Anatomy: Hands-On Dissection (DHT) | Bradley Hicks, Instructor | Morganton campus

Biotechnology (DHT) | Jennifer Allsbrook, Instructor | Morganton campus

Admissions Criteria:

You MUST live in one of these 18 counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey as well as the Qualla Boundary.  

How to Apply:

1. You may only apply if you live in one of the 18 counties listed above.

2. Select one of the courses for your grade level.

Applications must be submitted and completed by March 13th, 2026 in order to be considered.

Schedule for your week on campus:

Sunday

1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Students arrive / Registration / IT Desk Support
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Campus tour and Orientation
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Residential Life activities
8:00 p.m. Ice cream social

Monday – Thursday

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Class time
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Afternoon activity
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Class time
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:00 – 9:30 p.m. Evening activities (see student life)
9:30 p.m. Check time! Students must be in their residence halls
11:00 p.m. Lights out

Friday

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Class time
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Class – Prepare for Presentations
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.  Gallery Walk
2:30 p.m. Check-out