New Island School

 When Hurricane Dorian devistated the island on September 6, 2019, Ocracoke School was destroyed.  The school, which covers Pre-K through High School had approximately 150 students.

Since then, school has been held, first at a variety of sites on the island, then in a large temporary structure made of eight conjoined portable trailers.

It has taken nearly four years to remove remains of the former school, plan for, and build the new school building.  Scheduled initially for completion in April, the new building is now finally nearly ready for the opening of the new school year.

While part of the Middle School section and the school gymnasium could be restored, all of the rest of the building had to be replaced.  Now final inspections are happening just in time for the first day of school.

The teachers are facing a huge amount of work as everything had to be removed from the temporary portable building so it could be removed and then set up in the new classrooms.  Everyone might be exhausted as the year opens!  A lot of patience as well as excitement will be needed to get everything going after this long wait.

There will be an open house at the end of this month so everyone can see the new building. Leslie Cole, the school principal, and all the teachers are to be supported and congratulated, as well as the students, for persevering, leading, teaching, and learning through this difficult time.