New School
NHA Breaks Ground on North Oak Academy in Durham, North Carolina
NHA Communications Team
A bit of rain and mud couldn’t keep excited school leaders away from the groundbreaking of North Oak Academy in Durham, North Carolina. It’s National Heritage Academies’ 16th school in the state and is slated to be open for the start of the 2025-26 school year.
From left: NHA Director of School Quality Steve Pond, and school board members Wendy Ji, Gerald McNair, and Kelsey Armstrong turn some dirt at the North Oak Academy site.
The site, located on the northeast side of Durham, was previously a drive-in movie theater. NHA Director of School Quality, Steve Pond, said he can’t wait to see students in the building, creating new memories, and starring in their own educational journeys.
The event was supported by the NHA Admissions team.
“This school is going to be a wonderful addition to the surrounding community,” Pond said. “I'm especially encouraged by the passion, commitment, and engagement shown by North Oak's Board of Directors. The board has demonstrated a high level of resilience and perseverance over the past few years, and they have confidently stood with NHA to successfully overcome challenges and obstacles in their path.”
NHA Director of School Quality Steve Pond speaks to those gathered for the groundbreaking of North Oak Academy.
Pond was joined at the groundbreaking by school board president Gerald McNair, director Wendy Ji, and director Kelsey Armstrong. North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools Executive Director Lindalyn Kakadelis was also in attendance.
From left: North Oak Academy school board members Wendy Ji, Gerald McNair, and Kelsey Armstrong, pose with North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools Executive Director Lindalyn Kakadelis.