About Us...

What is a Charter School?

     The Sallie B. Howard School was the first public charter school to open in Wilson County in August of 1997. A charter school is a public school funded by state and local tax dollars but operated by a private non-profit organization. Legislation to approve charters schools in North Carolina was passed in June 1996. The intent of the bill is to encourage innovation that results in increases in school performance among all North Carolina students. The charter to operate the Howard School was awarded by the state to the Youth Enrichment Program of Wilson, Inc. a non-profit, tax-exempt, educational and cultural organization that was founded in 1989 to build confidence and raise the achievement aspirations of children at risk of educational neglect and failure. Charters are renewable contracts for periods of 10 years at a time.

     The Howard School provides parents and students- both traditional and at-risk-expanded choice in selecting the type of instructional curriculum and learning environment best suited to meet their educational needs and preferences.  The fundamental principle upon which the educational concept of the Howard School is based is the belief that EVERY child possesses a unique combination of gifts, talents, and intelligences that when given expression, nurtured and valued in the instructional curriculum, MOTIVATES him/her to achieve in all areas of school life.

What is the Mission of the School?

     The mission of the Howard School is to provide powerful, high quality learning experiences within a culture where children are happy, eager learners who work cooperatively and diligently to achieve the highest standard of excellence and personal satisfaction in all their endeavors; where children are being prepared academically, technologically, and socially to compete successfully in the 21st century global marketplace; where children develop a lifelong love of learning in a climate that celebrates cultural diversity and values each student’s unique combination of gifts and intelligences; where dedicated teachers, staff, and administrators with high standards and high expectations model behavior and attitudes expected of educated individuals; and where a community of parents, business and community members have significant decision-making involvement in shaping school policy and engineering the success of high quality public education.

  “Preparing students today to become world leaders tomorrow.”