CONCORD, N.C. — When Cabarrus County students go to class this week, thousands of them are starting the new year in brand new school.
This comes after the school board and district leaders approved a realignment plan to address overcrowding.
Back in February, Cabarrus County Schools approved new school boundaries for the upcoming year, determining where students will attend school based on where they live.
Superintendent John Kopicki said there are about 3,000 students impacted by the changes, but it’s the only way to manage the district’s growth and class sizes.
He says it’s also just the beginning of a long-term solution to overcrowding as more people move to Cabarrus County.
"It's a challenge that we are going to continue to work with and seek to understand where our kids are moving to and where those growth patterns are the hottest and make sure that we accommodate our kids appropriately," he said.
Kopicki said most of the overcrowding happens at the elementary school level. As a new elementary school opens with R. Brown McAllister Elementary School, the district is in the design and planning stages for two more to open in the coming years.
"No matter where you go to school in this county in any one of the schools -- elementary, middle, high school -- you are going to receive education by the best educators possible," Kopicki said.
For families sending their child to a new classroom, teachers like Madeleine King say educators are there to support students during this transition.
"Find someone that you feel comfortable asking your questions to and then ask all the questions," King said. "Get everything that you need so that you feel secure and that you can have the best experience possible."
More information about the Cabarrus County schools realignment plan is available on the district's website.
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.