Class of 2026: Celebrating Cabarrus Health Science Institute and Performance Learning Center

Cabarrus Health Science Institute: 240 students graduate in largest nursing class ceremony

Sarah Mills | GlobalBeat

Cabarrus Health Science Institute and Performance Learning Center held joint graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2026 on Thursday at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center.

The health science program produced 240 new nursing assistants and medical technicians, its largest cohort since opening in 2019. Performances by the Concord Middle School choir punctuated the ceremonies.

Both schools target first-generation college students from low-income families across Cabarrus County, North Carolina. State data shows 78 percent of graduates immediately enter healthcare jobs or community college programs.

“This room represents 240 new healthcare workers for our region,” Principal Karen McDaniel told the crowd of 800 family members. She said applications for next year already exceed available spots by 40 percent.

The institute opened five years ago with 35 students after local hospitals warned of critical staffing shortages. Novant Health Rowan Medical Center now hires 60 percent of graduates directly from clinical rotations that begin in sophomore year.

Students complete 480 hours of patient care before graduation under supervised hospital contracts. McDaniel said the program saves families $15,000 compared with traditional private technical colleges.

Tyler Harris, 18, accepted a full-time position at Atrium Health Cabarrus before collecting his certificate. The first in his family to graduate high school will earn $19.50 per hour as a patient care technician while starting community college in August.

“My mom cried when I told her about the job offer,” Harris said outside the auditorium. He plans to become a registered nurse within three years while working night shifts.

The parallel Performance Learning Center graduated 85 students through competency-based coursework that lets teens accelerate graduation. The county created the program for students who fail to thrive in traditional high school environments.

Combined, both programs posted a 94 percent graduation rate according to preliminary state figures released this week. Traditional Cabarrus County high schools average 89 percent.

State Representative Linda Johnson attended both ceremonies and promised expanded funding in next year’s budget. She told reporters lawmakers earmarked $2.3 million for replication programs in neighboring counties.

Background

North Carolina faces a projected shortage of 12,500 nurses by 2030 according to the state nursing board. Rural hospitals particularly struggle to recruit technicians for overnight shifts serving aging populations.

Cabarrus County created the health science program after local hospitals reported 300 unfilled entry-level positions in 2018. School board members initially resisted the $4 million startup cost before hospital chains committed to paid internships.

The Performance Learning Center model began in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools during 2006 and spread to 14 districts. Students work through online modules at their own pace with teacher support rather than attending scheduled classes.

What’s Next

McDaniel said the institute will add pharmacy technician certification starting this fall pending state approval. Construction crews break ground next month on a 12,000-square-foot expansion to accommodate 350 students by 2027.

Both programs begin accepting applications for the Class of 2027 on July 15. Priority goes to students qualifying for free lunch programs, with lottery selection for remaining slots awarded in March.

The graduation ceremonies mark the final class before county voters decide on a $50 million school bond this November. District leaders warn both programs will freeze enrollment without facility expansion to match growing demand.