At their regular monthly board meeting, Durham's school board approved a partnership between DPS's City of Medicine Academy and the North Carolina New Schools project. 

According to its own Web site, the North Carolina New Schools Project (NCNSP) works to accelerate systemic, sustainable innovation in secondary schools across the state so that, in time, every high school in North Carolina graduates every student ready for college, careers and life in the society and economy of the 21st century.

The website outlines the project's objectives as:

Demonstrating that high schools capable of graduating all students ready for college, careers and life can succeed in every corner of North Carolina regardless of local constraints.
Working with like-minded individuals and groups to build an unmistakable demand for innovation in an ever-growing group of North Carolina high schools.

It says the project was created in 2003 by the Office of the Governor and the Education Cabinet with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. According to the site, the NCNSP and school districts and educators have started more than 100 innovative high schools.

The contract states the partnership with the City of Medicine Academy will allow for consulting services by the NCNSP, in which the NCNSP will provide coaching, work with state leaders, and conducting community forums to better the Academy.

"I think it's a delightful opportunity," said Elizabeth Shearer, the principal of the City of Medicine Academy.

According to the school's website, The City of Medicine Academy is an academically rigorous high school that contributes to educating future healthcare professionals in preparation for meeting the ever-growing healthcare needs of the community.

"We think it's a very unique approach," said Shearer about the new partnership. 

Related Links:

- City of Medicine Academy

- New Schools Project