THE INNOVATION ACADEMY AT SOUTH CAMPUS

The Innovation Academy at South Campus is a Title I public middle school that is part of the Johnston County Public Schools school district, located in Smithfield, NC with about 93 students. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 6 teachers, The Innovation Academy at South Campus has a student/teacher ratio of about 15:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The Innovation Academy at South Campus, located in Smithfield, North Carolina, is a specialized "lab school" operating under the Johnston County Public Schools system. Designed as a personalized learning environment, the school focuses on a modern, project-based educational approach that prioritizes student agency and hands-on skill development. By utilizing flexible learning spaces and a curriculum tailored to individual needs, the academy aims to foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration in a way that differs from the traditional classroom model.

As a lab school, the institution serves as a hub for educational innovation, often exploring and implementing evidence-based teaching strategies that can be modeled across the district. The school maintains a close connection to the local community, emphasizing a culture of inclusivity and real-world application. With its emphasis on technology integration and student-led inquiry, The Innovation Academy seeks to prepare its learners not just for standard assessments, but for the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce and post-secondary success.

For more information, contact The Innovation Academy at South Campus at (919) 934-6481 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.