STUDENTS RETURN
School year begins in county, Kannapolis; new Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary opens
Resource officers were among the folks greeting students who returned to classes.
Cabarrus Superintendent dr. John Kopicki sits in on this class at Harrisburg Elementary School.
A wall of history is inside the new Coltrane-Webb Elementary School.
Kannapolis City Schools Superintendent dr. Sara Newell talks with a student.
The Class of 2027 is ready for its Senior year.
This is the outside of the new Coltrane-Webb Elementary School.
A student receives a high-five from a Concord Police officer at his school.
This shows some of the safety and air quality features in the new school building at Coltrane-Webb.
CABARRUS COUNTY
The first bells of the 202627 school year rang Wednesday morning across Cabarrus County as thousands of students returned to classrooms in both Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools, just one day after Cabarrus County Schools celebrated the opening of its newest elementary school.
Cabarrus County Schools officially dedicated the new Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, marking a new chapter for one of Concord's oldest educational institutions.
Built on the school's historic campus at 61 Spring St. NW, the new 115,000-square-foot, multi-story facility replaces the previous building while preserving the legacy of a campus whose history dates back to 1887. The school is designed to serve 756 students in kindergarten through fifth grade and supports the district's nationally recognized STEM magnet program.
The new facility includes flexible learning spaces, specialized classrooms for exceptional children services, art and music instruction, outdoor learning areas, improved traffic flow, new playgrounds and enhanced safety features.
"The new Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary School reflects our commitment to preparing students for the future while honoring the rich history of this remarkable school community," Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki said during the ceremony. "This building creates an environment where curiosity is encouraged, innovation thrives, and every child has the opportunity to discover, create, and succeed."
Coltrane-Webb officially opened in 1957 following the merger of Coltrane Grammar School and Webb School. The school is named for Daniel Branson Coltrane, who helped establish Concord City Schools, and Albert Shipp Webb, a longtime Concord school leader. Since becoming a STEM magnet school in 2011, Coltrane-Webb has maintained its designation as a North Carolina STEM School of Distinction at the Model Level.
The replacement school was designed by Yates Chreitzberg Hughes Architects of Concord and built by Rodgers Builders Inc.
Back in the classroom
The celebration quickly gave way to the excitement of a new academic year as students returned to classrooms Wednesday morning throughout Cabarrus County.
Cabarrus County Schools shared images of students arriving with "big smiles, happy reunions, and lots of excitement" as they kicked off the school year. The district said students also enjoyed sharing their firstday outfits and discussing what they were most looking forward to during interviews with local television news crews covering the morning festivities.
Across the county, Kannapolis City Schools also welcomed students back for the first day of classes. The district described hallways filled with laughter and classrooms buzzing with excitement as students experienced fresh starts, formed new friendships and embraced the possibilities of a new school year.
Kannapolis City Schools also thanked its teachers, staff, bus drivers and families for helping make the opening day a success.
Together, the two districts marked the beginning of another school year focused on learning, growth and opportunity, with the opening of the new Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary School serving as a symbol of Cabarrus County's continued investment in public education and its students.
