Frequently Asked Questions

About New Dimensions

  • New Dimensions is a public school. There is no tuition, and any student in North Carolina may apply to attend.

  • We serve kindergarten through 8th grade. New Dimensions opened in 2001 and is in its 25th year.

  • We have about 560 students and more than 80 staff members. Smaller class sizes are part of what families value about us.

  • Yes. As a public school, we provide special education (EC) services for students who qualify, and we serve academically gifted students through our AIG program. Both follow state requirements.

  • We do not serve breakfast. School lunch options are available to purchase, and many families also choose to pack a lunch from home. Families may qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

  • We do not provide bus transportation. All of our students are car riders, dropped off and picked up by families or carpools.

  • Call (828) 437-5753, email info@ndschool.org, or visit ndschool.org. We are at 550 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Charter Schools Explained

  • A charter school is a public school that runs under an agreement, called a charter, with the state. It is tuition-free and open to all students. In exchange for some freedom in how it runs, it is held accountable for results.

  • We are funded with public dollars and take the same state tests as district schools. The difference is that we are run by our own nonprofit board and have more flexibility in our programs, calendar, and staffing. There is no assigned attendance zone. Families choose to enroll.

  • We receive about 70 cents for every dollar a district school gets for the same student, and we receive no money for our building. Funding is based on student enrollment and is recalculated each semester. Building costs come from our operating budget, grants, and private support.

  • Yes. Our teachers meet North Carolina licensure requirements for charter schools, and staff go through criminal background checks under state law before they are hired. Student safety is our first responsibility.

  • Yes. New Dimensions is authorized and overseen by the North Carolina State Board of Education through the Office of Charter Schools. We take the same student tests and follow the same financial audit rules as district schools. In 2026, the state renewed our charter for 10 years, the longest term it gives.

Enrollment and the Lottery

  • Any student in North Carolina may apply. You do not have to live in a certain zone, and there is no test to get in.

  • We are funded with public dollars and take the same state tests as district schools. The difference is that we are run by our own nonprofit board and have more flexibility in our programs, calendar, and staffing. There is no assigned attendance zone. Families choose to enroll.

  • When more students apply than we have seats, a random lottery decides placement. It is usually held in the spring. Some priorities, such as siblings of current students, apply under our enrollment policy.

  • You can apply year-round. When a grade is full, names go on a waitlist, and we reach out as seats open.

Academics & Programs

  • Our state report card and growth scores are public. You can look us up at ncreports.ondemand.sas.com.

    We share results with families and use them to keep improving.

  • North Carolina measures whether students are learning at, above, or below the statewide average rate of growth over the year. “Met Growth” means our students are growing in line with the state average. It looks at progress over time, not just one test.

  • Beyond core classes, we offer academic enrichment, our N.O.W. student support program, and arts, music, and STEM electives. Students in many grades have school-issued devices, and we run a summer school program for continued learning.

  • Yes. We offer before and after-school care through our partner, the YMCA. Contact the school office or the YMCA for hours, cost, and registration.

  • Dress code is set by the school administration, and the current details are posted on our website and in the family handbook.

The Board & how the school is run

  • The school director and administration run the school each day. They manage staff, students, and daily operations. The board does not run the building.

  • The board governs the school. It hires, reviews, and supports the director, sets policy, oversees the budget, and protects the charter. The board does not hire or manage individual staff members. That is the director’s job.

  • New Dimensions is a public school run by a private nonprofit board, which is the standard structure for North Carolina charter schools. Board members are not elected by the public. They apply, interview, and are approved by the existing board, and they serve without pay. Many are current or former NDS parents.

  • No. Every board member is a volunteer and serves without pay.

  • The board meets monthly, generally on the third Thursday at 4:00 PM, with no meeting in December. Meetings are open to the public. The schedule and any changes are posted on our website.

  • They are posted at ndschool.org, under About, then Board of Directors.

  • Board applications are on our website, and we are usually recruiting new members, especially parents and community members. Our committees outside of governance are also open to community members. Just let the office, a board member, or the director know you are interested.

  • Going to the right person first is the fastest way to get a real answer. Start with the teacher, then your child’s principal (K-5 or Middle School), then the director for school-wide matters. For questions about governance, board policy, or the director, email governance@ndschool.org or come to a board meeting.

  • Board meetings are open, and we welcome public comment. Like other public boards, our board does not debate or respond to comments in the moment, partly because many topics involve personnel or legal matters. The Board also needs time to consider the comments in order to respond as a group. Comments are heard and recorded, and the board follows up as a group.

Staying Connected

  • We share news through ClassDojo, email, our website, and our social media pages, along with a schoolwide phone message on Sunday evenings. Make sure your contact information is current with the office so you do not miss anything.

  • There are many ways: volunteer, join the PTO, serve on a committee, or give to our school Foundation. You are also always welcome at a board meeting. To learn more, email governance@ndschool.org or call the office.