 My name is Erin Collins. I'm originally from Waxall, North Carolina. I'm a senior here at the Morganton campus, and I'm excited to show you around. NCSSM is the number one public high school in North Carolina, according to niche.com. Here in Morganton, the residential enrollment is around 300 students, made up of academically talented juniors and seniors who live and learn on campus. Students come here from every corner of the state, and there is no cost for tuition, meals, housing, or textbooks. The Morganton campus is situated in the beautiful foothills of western North Carolina, about an hour east of Asheville. The academic street is the main path through campus, and it's open to pedestrians and bikes. We have a mix of new state-of-the-art buildings and renovated historic buildings, including the barn, which is an iconic landmark for the region. Hello. This is the historic Goodwin Hall. This is the main check-in area for all visitors. It houses the clinic, lots of classrooms, as well as the mailroom. At NCSSM, academics are a top priority. Our teachers are amazing. They all have either a master's degree or PhD in their field of study. The low student-teacher ratio here means that we get a lot of individualized attention. We have specialized classes in STEM fields, of course, but we also have a ton of advanced humanities courses, too. Students also have the chance to engage in off-campus mentorship and research with local industry partners, providing practical, real-world learning experiences. For example, I participate with UNC Health Blue Ridge and go to the local hospital every week, where I'm able to shadow members of my department and gain firsthand experience on the day-to-day life in the hospital. I'm now on the third floor of Goodwin, in the lounge area. As you see the Morganton campus, you'll see lots of study spaces, areas for collaboration, not just for your peers, but for your teachers, as well. Hi, everyone. My name is Ellis Waites. I'm originally from Collinsville, North Carolina, and I'm a senior here at NCSSM Morganton. Today, I'm going to show you around our campus. The Academic Commons is a hub of activity here at NCSSM Morganton. It houses the cafeteria, library, classrooms, labs, and more. The library is a great place to study or just hang out, and we also host special events and special guests on the Bleacher Stairs. Our engineering and computer science program has a wide selection of courses, complemented by a state-of-the-art fabrication lab where students can work on projects for academic purposes or simply for enjoyment. Equipped with cutting-edge tools and 3D printers, the FAB lab provides everything students require to bring their projects to life. One unique thing to note about the Morganton campus, our curriculum is infused with data science, the art of turning data into action, and we're the first high school in the country to require data science as a graduation requirement. Meals are provided in the cafeteria at NCSSM Morganton, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, accommodating a wide range of dietary preferences. On nice days, we take advantage of the outdoors, enjoying our meals and relaxing in the Hammett Garden, gathering at the amphitheater, or lounging on the lawn. Here in the academic commons, we also have a cafe where you can buy coffee, soda, and snacks. Plus the student store, we can get all of your NCSSM gear. Hello, my name is Kanol Singh and I'm here at NCSSM Morganton as a senior. I'm originally from Charlotte and I'm excited to show you guys around campus today. At NCSSM, we offer every student a safe, secure, welcoming home on campus, and all residential students live on campus. Here at NCSSM Morganton, every student lives in one single residence hall. Here at the residence hall, I live in a hall with about 30-some guys, and we have a CC community coordinator, and we have shared lounges on each hall, with a TV, a sink, and a microwave, and also a communal lounge in the elevator lobby, where guys and girls can hang out as well. And here is the communal kitchen, and there's also a gym down there. Living on hall is like being part of a big family. Every hall has its own cool vibe. We get together for fun activities and outings, and there's always some friendly competition going on with the other halls. A lot of students bring a bike, since it's a great way to get around. Several restaurants and grocery stores are just a short walk from campus. We also have fun at downtown Morganton, which has a lot of cool shops and a movie theater. Regular van loops make it easy for us to get in and out of town. At NCSSM, we take campus safety seriously. We have a security team and regular patrols, and we use the LifSafe app if we're leaving campus, so that someone always knows where we are. In Jeter Hall, we have counselors who support our adjustment to the NCSSM community, our individual personal growth, academics, and our transition to college. The adults on campus are really caring and helpful as well. Jeter Hall is also home to the Fine Arts program, which offers opportunities for music, visual art, and drama. The Barn, a historic icon for the region, is our venue for concerts, assemblies, theater performances, and other special events. Here in Morganton, we have neighbors. Over there, we have the North Carolina School for the Deaf, and then to my right, we have the Western Pima Community College Canvas. We share athletic facilities with both of these institutions while we wait for our student wellness and activities center to be constructed. Here in Morganton, we have 15 varsity sports teams. I personally am a member of the cross-country, swim, and track and field teams. In addition to varsity sports, we have lots of intramural sports and clubs. There are a ton of options for physical wellness to help students stay healthy and burn off stress. Morganton is surrounded by nature, with plenty of fun things for you to do outdoors. There are rivers, lakes, and mountains, all for you to enjoy. From Lake James to Pisgah National Forest to Linville Gorge, this area is known as nature's playground for its scenic beauty and opportunities for hiking, paddling, and all other kinds of outdoor recreation. Here at NCSSM, there are many clubs, and anyone can start one. Personally, I've helped to co-found the Black Student Union here, as well as being a co-founding editor of the Literary Magazine. Every evening, we just relax and hang out with friends. Plus, there's always some kind of special event happening on campus, like Movie Night or Board Game Night. At NCSSM, we also have a long tradition of contributing to our communities. All students do campus and community service activities, and seniors have the chance to serve in leadership positions. For example, as my campus service, I serve as an admissions ambassador and give in-person tours to prospective students and their families. That's a little window into life at NCSSM, Morganton. We loved showing you around. Thanks for coming on this virtual tour, and we hope to see you on campus soon.