The Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy is a bold, multi-district initiative to re-invent high school around students' career interests, a rigorous core curriculum integrated with relevant work and community experiences, and innovative uses of technology that result in graduating all students ready for careers and post-secondary education that support the evolving economic needs of the Piedmont Triad Region. The objective of the academy is to develop the globally skilled workforce needed to supply the growth industries of the area. In the fall of 2012, the campus opened in Davidson County. The academy is also a research and development resource to assist high schools in partnering districts in developing innovative, career-relevant curriculum, instructional approaches and uses of technology that will increase graduation rates and post-secondary success in careers and further education. The academy, very different from traditional secondary instruction, is based on contextual and Project Based Learning, student centered instruction where students learn entrepreneurship, increasing responsibility and future-ready skills in an industry relevant, team driven environment supported by technology. The initial career paths of the academy will be global logistics, advanced technologies/manufacturing, and health sciences/medical informatics. The core values of the academy include:

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
• Entrepreneurship/Intrapreneurship
• 21st Century Work Skills
• Teamwork
• Communications
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Creativity

The academy curriculum is designed to increase the rigor and relevance of STEM-related core academic content through integration with industry-relevant technical applications and technologies. The academy will include an internship program during year 11 and year 12, as well as a variety of career-relevant curricula, job shadowing, career orientation and mentorships supported by business and community partners. Depending on the chosen career path, flexible schedules may include 3 or more days of academy instruction or relevant online learning, accompanied by multiple days of an active industry internship.