News and Announcements

Check out these graduation or promotion events at our Secondary Schools:

• SandHoke Early College High School Graduation, May 15, 6 p.m., Raz Autry Stadium
• Hoke County High School Graduation, May 29, 6 p.m., Raz Autry Stadium
• East Hoke Middle School 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, May 29, 10:30 a.m., EHMS Gym
• Sandy Grove Middle School 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, May 27, 2 p.m., SGMS Gym
• West Hoke Middle School 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, May 29, 9 a.m., WHMS Gym

STEM After Hours brings fun, hands-on STEM challenges to students and their families outside of the school day!

What is STEM After Hours?

• Short, exciting STEM challenges students can do at home
• Encourages curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving
• Designed for families to learn and have fun together
• Flexible, easy to fit in your schedule

Why it matters:

• Builds confidence in STEM skills
• Supports what students are learning in school
• Prepares our students for the future
• Most importantly, it's fun!

Check out Hoke County Schools Secondary Curriculum & Instruction's Family Newsletter.

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Students at Hoke County High School had a unique opportunity to explore new possibilities on March 26 at the Non-Traditional Career Fair hosted by our Career and Technical Education Department.

Throughout the event, students connected with representatives from a wide variety of careers—many of which they may not have previously considered. These meaningful conversations opened doors to new ideas and helped students begin to envision the many paths their futures could take.

A special thank you to the Hoke County High School JROTC for their assistance in setting up the event, and to our outstanding CTE student ambassadors for helping everything run smoothly. We are also incredibly grateful to the many representatives from local organizations who took time out of their busy schedules to share their knowledge, experiences, and insights with our students.

Events like these play a vital role in preparing our students for success beyond the classroom. Thank you to everyone who made today such a valuable experience!

Hoke County Schools proudly announces the opening of the Community Schools Family Resource Center (FRC) at Upchurch Elementary School, known as The Eagle Market. The center is designed to support students, families, staff, and community members by providing access to essential resources in a welcoming and supportive environment.

The Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 18th to commemorate the opening. Elected officials, Chamber members, and community partners gathered to celebrate this important milestone and the continued commitment to serving the needs of the Hoke County community.

The Eagle Market offers a variety of resources, including clothing, a food pantry, hygiene items, cleaning products, and connections to additional community services. The initiative is facilitated by Community Schools Coordinator Cassie Harjala and is part of the broader Community Schools Program—a collaboration between Hoke County Schools, Student U, and the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition.

Hoke County Schools recently hosted its annual Battle of the Books, bringing together students from across the district to showcase their love of reading, teamwork, and literary knowledge. Teams competed in High School, Middle School, and Elementary School divisions, answering challenging questions about the books they studied throughout the year.

Congratulations to our champions! SandHoke Early College High School took the top spot in the High School division, while East Hoke Middle School claimed the Middle School title. In the Elementary School competition, Upchurch Elementary earned 1st place, followed by Don Steed Elementary in 2nd place and West Hoke Elementary in 3rd place.

We are proud of all the students who participated and demonstrated their dedication to reading and academic excellence!

Check out Hoke County Schools Secondary Curriculum & Instruction's Family Newsletter.

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Mr. Duran McLaurin was named Hoke County High School’s new varsity football coach. His hiring was approved at the Hoke County Board of Education meeting on Feb. 10.

McLaurin served most recently as the head coach of 71st Senior High School in Fayetteville, N.C., where he compiled an overall record of 160-37. He led 71st to six conference championships, 11 state playoff appearances in 13 seasons, and back-to-back state championship appearances in 2023 and 2024. McLaurin sustained a successful program at 71st, achieving five undefeated regular seasons and amassing a 33-game conference winning streak.

Kindergarten registration and Pre-K applications for the 2026-2027 School Year opened February 2, 2026.

Students entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old by August 31, 2026. Pre-K applicants must be 4 years old by August 31, 2026. Students who register for Kindergarten early may be eligible for the Rising Stars program, a summer Kindergarten readiness program.

All elementary schools are hosting registration events, and there is a district-wide registration event on Saturday, February 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at West Hoke Middle School. Held during the district’s robotics competition, this event will give students a firsthand look at the fun and engaging activities they can be part of as they get older.

Dr. Kenneth Spells, Superintendent of Hoke County Schools, was named one of three national finalists for the Superintendent of the Year at the 2025 Awards of Distinction program at the District Administration Leadership Institute (DALI) National Superintendents Summit in Palm Beach, Florida.

Congratulations to the Hoke County High School Girls Wrestling Team. They brought home their third straight Dual Team State Championship!

The Lady Bucks competed in the championship in the large school division at A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, N.C., on Saturday, January 17, 2026. They edged out A.L. Brown, winning 42-29.

Way to go, Bucks!

The NC Department of Public Instruction, Office of Exceptional Children, is asking for your input through the 2025-2026 Parent Survey – Special Education.

This is a survey for parents of children receiving special education services. Your responses will help guide efforts to improve services and results for children and families. Filling out this survey is completely voluntary, and you will not be asked to provide your name or other personally identifiable information. States are required to collect certain demographic information, which will be asked at the end of the survey.

Dr. Kenneth Spells, superintendent of Hoke County Schools, was recently recognized by Gov. Josh Stein. Dr. Spells was awarded the certificate of appreciation in recognition of his dedication and outstanding service to the state of North Carolina. This recognition reflects Dr. Spells’ unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student in Hoke County has access to high-quality education, strong support systems, and opportunities to succeed. We are grateful for his leadership and continued service to our schools, families, and community.

Don D. Steed Elementary School has been ranked among the 2026 Best Elementary School rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

The rankings include about 47,000 public elementary schools and more than 23,000 middle schools across the country. Schools are ranked at the state and district level, with Best Charter Schools ranked as a stand-alone category. U.S. News & World Report placed Don Steed Elementary among the 1,445 elementary schools it ranked as the best in North Carolina.

“Don Steed Elementary’s recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of North Carolina’s best elementary schools is a tremendous honor,” said Dr. Kenneth Spells, Superintendent of Hoke County Schools. “This accomplishment reflects the commitment of our teachers, staff, students, and families who work together every day to create an excellent learning environment. We are proud of the Don Steed community and all they continue to achieve.”

Hoke County Schools has earned praise from The Education Magazine for putting their students first.

The Education Magazine listed Hoke County Schools in their Most Admired School Districts because the district demonstrates excellence in leadership, innovation, and student achievement.

Hoke County Schools Child Nutrition Team was one of only 14 districts in North Carolina to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Action for Healthy with a Healthy Meal Incentive Award.

Hoke County Schools was honored with the Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals Award. This award highlights unique and innovative approaches not traditionally used in schools, as well as achievements school districts are making to engage students and families to offer nutritious meals. Awardees are looking to exceed the nutrition guidelines in their school lunches.

SandHoke Early College has been ranked among the 2025-2026 Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report. SandHoke ranked no. 137 among 682 high schools in North Carolina. The rankings evaluate nearly 24,000 schools at the national, state and local levels, with nearly 18,000 ranked.

Hoke County Schools recognized the employees of the year at its annual Convocation that was held at Hoke County High School on Friday, Aug. 22. The annual event officially kicks off the school year for Hoke County Schools staff.

ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN HOKE COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE
REIMBURSABLE MEALS AT “NO CHARGE” FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR.

Hoke County Schools is proud to celebrate SandHoke Early College High School graduate Allison Pratt, a member of the Class of 2025, who was recently featured in EdNC, a statewide education publication highlighting inspiring student stories across North Carolina.

Allison was recognized for her ambitious career goals in the field of science and her recent participation in Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics, where she collaborated on a groundbreaking group project focused on gene therapy for Type II Diabetes. Her passion for scientific discovery and her commitment to academic excellence exemplify the values of hard work, innovation, and determination.

Through the SandHoke Early College program, Allison has achieved the remarkable milestone of completing both her high school diploma and an Associate in Arts degree from Sandhills Community College this spring. This fall, she will enter North Carolina State University as a junior, positioning her well ahead on her path toward a future in science and research.

We are incredibly proud of Allison’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing how she continues to impact the world through her dedication and talent.

Allison Pratt in EdNC

#TeamHoke  

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is in the process of transitioning from PowerSchool, the current student information system (SIS), to a new platform, Infinite Campus. The new platform will provide additional features to help you monitor your child’s educational progress, including a mobile-friendly experience.

Hoke County Schools is part of Phase Two of the transition in N.C., joining other districts across the state in adopting this more modern and integrated system. Infinite Campus will support a wide range of functions, including attendance, grades, and communication with families. Beginning this summer, families will no longer be able to access student data from the PowerSchool system.

On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Hoke County High School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 at Raz Autry Stadium. The ceremony, rescheduled from Friday due to inclement weather, saw graduates donning red caps and gowns as they marked the culmination of their high school journey. Family, friends, and faculty gathered to honor the students' achievements and to wish them success in their future endeavors. With their resilience, determination, and the support of a strong community, there is no doubt that these graduates have a bright and promising future ahead of them.

Please enjoy the Parent & Family Curriculum Newsletter! We hope you enjoy this way of staying connected with resources provided by our Curriculum and Instruction department. In Hoke County Schools, we believe that the foundation of a successful educational experience begins with strong community connections. Our goal is to create an environment where families, educators, and community members work together to support student growth and achievement across all elementary schools.

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The SandHoke Early College High School Class of 2025 celebrated graduation on Friday, May 16, 2025. More than 100 graduates received their diplomas, and more than 70 also earned their Associate's degree from Sandhills Community College. The Sandhills Community College graduation was held on Saturday, May 17, 2025. This incredible class earned more than $6 million in scholarships!

Hoke County Schools was honored as one of 15 districts across the state to earn the State Superintendent’s Purple Star District Award in a ceremony in Raleigh last week. The prestigious award recognizes school districts that demonstrate military-friendly practices and show commitment to military students and families.

Dear Hoke County Families,

We are writing to inform you of a recent development in the PowerSchool Student Information System (“PowerSchool”) cybersecurity incident impacting North Carolina student and teacher data that occurred in December 2024 and was first reported to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (“NCDPI”) in January 2025.

Hoke County Schools proudly welcomed State Representative Garland Pierce to Upchurch Elementary School and Hoke County High School on Friday, April 11, as part of N.C. Legislators in Schools Week, an initiative aimed at strengthening connections between lawmakers and public education.

The Special Olympics of Hoke County took place on April 4th and brought fun, joy, and sportsmanship to Raz Autry Stadium on the campus of Hoke County High School.

The Battle of the Books team from Hoke County High School earned third place in the Region IV Battle of the Books Competition. This marks the first time the team has competed at the regional level. The Bucks advanced to the regional competition by edging out the team from SandHoke Early College High School for the first time in the history of the competition between the two schools.

The team finished with only 3 points fewer than the winning team. Congratulations to the team and their coach, Hoke County High School Media Coordinator Charmain Gibson!

Please enjoy the Parent & Family Curriculum Newsletter! We hope you enjoy this way of staying connected with resources provided by our Curriculum and Instruction department. In Hoke County Schools, we believe that the foundation of a successful educational experience begins with strong community connections. Our goal is to create an environment where families, educators, and community members work together to support student growth and achievement across all elementary schools.

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Two students from SandHoke Early College High School will attend the NC Governor's School in June.

Hailey Benson will study English and Gabriel Cabezudo will study Mathematics. Both students are juniors this year.

The North Carolina Governor's School is a four-week summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students. Students are selected through a competitive process after being nominated by their schools.

Please enjoy the Parent & Family Curriculum Newsletter! We hope you enjoy this way of staying connected with resources provided by our Curriculum and Instruction department. In Hoke County Schools, we believe that the foundation of a successful educational experience begins with strong community connections. Our goal is to create an environment where families, educators, and community members work together to support student growth and achievement across all elementary schools.

Read the Newsletter.

Leer el boletín.

The district Battle of the Books took place this week, and Hoke County Schools crowned high school, middle school, and elementary school champions.

Hoke County High School won the High School competition, Sandy Grove Middle won the Middle School competition, and Upchurch Elementary won the Elementary School competition.

Registration for Kindergarten and NC Pre-K  for the 2025-2026 school year is officially open! All children entering kindergarten must be 5 years of age by August 31, 2025. All children applying for the NC Pre-Kindergarten program must be 4 years of age by August 31, 2025.

Be sure to register your child at the school in your current attendance zone.

Students from Hawk Eye Elementary, Rockfish Hoke Elementary, Scurlock Elementary, West Hoke Elementary, Sandy Grove Middle, and West Hoke Middle participated in a wide variety of competitions at the North Carolina National Beta Convention. A number of teams, students, and teachers were recognized for their work.

Hoke County Schools held Superintendent's Night Out on January 28, 2025 at East Hoke Middle School. The event gave community members the opportunity to meet with Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Spells and representatives from the district's departments. During the event, Dr. Spells encouraged parents and community members to learn more about the district and become involved, noting that we are all part of Team Hoke!

Please enjoy the Parent & Family Curriculum Newsletter! We hope you enjoy this way of staying connected with resources provided by our Curriculum and Instruction department. In Hoke County Schools, we believe that the foundation of a successful educational experience begins with strong community connections. Our goal is to create an environment where families, educators, and community members work together to support student growth and achievement across all elementary schools.

Read the Newsletter.

Leer el boletín

The Hoke County High School Girls Wrestling Team brought home their second straight state title. The team won the NC Dual Invitational State Championship on January 18, 2025.

Congratulations to head coach Brandon Locklear and Lady Bucks Wrestling for such an incredible accomplishment!

On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, PowerSchool alerted the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (“NCDPI”) to a cybersecurity incident impacting student and teacher data across their global client base. This incident was not isolated to North Carolina and impacted potentially millions of students and staff across the nation. 

New Board of Education members were sworn in at the December meeting. Dr. Rosa McAlister-McRae was re-elected to her seat on the Board while Jessica Hendrix Brown was sworn in for the first time.

Sandy Grove Middle School Assistant Principal Tiffany Tyler was recently selected to participate in the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals Association’s (NCPAPA) AP Accelerator program. 

The AP Accelerator (APA) is a statewide leadership development program for high-potential Assistant Principals nominated by their district superintendents.

Ten schools were recognized by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction for either reaching expected growth or exceeding expected growth. The principals of Hoke County High School, SandHoke Early College High School, Sandy Grove Middle School, JW Turlington Alternative School, West Hoke Middle School, Don Steed Elementary, JW McLauchlin Elementary, Sandy Grove Elementary, Scurlock Elementary, and Upchurch Elementary received their recognition at the December Board of Education meeting. SandHoke Early College High School was also recognized for having a 95% or better graduation rate. 

Hoke County Schools Student Support Services Department hosted the 14th Annual Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Walk on Nov. 21, 2024 at Raz Autry Stadium. The district's 14 schools competed to collect the most nonperishable food items for donation to local charities, and they succeeded in collecting more than 17,621 items. The schools that collected the most were Sandy Grove Middle School with 2,735 items, Hoke County High School with 2,702 items and Upchurch Elementary School with 2,688 items. HCS teacher Chyna Bratcher spoke to event attendees about her experience with homelessness as a Hoke County student. More than 300 students and community members participated in the walk.

Navre McLaughlin, a 7th-grade student at Sandy Grove Middle School was awarded a book from the book vending machine for their personal library from Hoke County Schools Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Spells. 

Other students can complete the choice board at their school and earn up to four FREE books a school year for their personal library. The book vending machine is part of the F.R.E.S.H. (Facilitating Reading for Every Student in Hoke) Reads grant.

Dr. Kenneth Spells, superintendent of Hoke County Schools, convened the first meeting of the Parent Advisory Council. This council is made up of dedicated parent representatives from all our schools, and the district is thrilled to engage in this important dialogue.

Hoke County Schools aims to strengthen the partnership with parents and work collaboratively to enhance the educational experience for our students. The district will hold these meetings periodically to continue the conversation.

The Hoke County Schools Department of Federal Programs invites you to the ESL Parent Engagement Event. Saturday, November 9 at Scurlock Elementary School. Valuable information will be shared!

In an effort to provide increased access to programs and resources that improve the trajectory of our students’ lives, Hoke County Schools is preparing to launch Peachjar on Tuesday, Sept. 10th. This new platform will enable us to send important school and community flyers to parents and guardians digitally.

Hoke County Schools held a Back to School Bash at East Hoke Middle School on Aug. 17. Students and their families enjoyed free food and carnival games and were able to pick up a free clear backpack full of school supplies. Families were also able to meet their child's principal and learn more about district programs. District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Spells was on hand to speak with families, and school board members greeted the crowd. More than 3,000 backpacks were handed out to students

Hoke County Schools recognized their employees of the year during their convocation.