About the I-Zone:
The I-Zone is the Innovation Zone of Edgecombe County Public Schools. The I-Zone consists of the Coker-Wimberly Elementary School, Phillips Middle School, and North Edgecombe High School feeder pattern.
Bricks Tri-County Public High School (1934-1940) and Primary School (until 1956)
- Beginning in 2018, when Edgecombe County Public Schools’ Innovation Zone was the Micro-School of Innovation, FCAB was invited to meet with teachers as they prepared to hold their first student retreat prior to commencing the school year. We talked (and taught) the history of FCAB (which includes the commencement of what was Phillips High School), along with modern social justice concerns that affect/impact the local community. In total FCAB hosted all incoming 8th grade students and their teachers that first year. In 2019, FCAB was able to create a program for all of Phillips in-coming 8th graders, ensuring that future I-Zone students have an understanding of the roots of their school, community, and for many, an understanding of where their family members began their own formal education.
- Civic Engagement and Social Action Course: This course provides students with the opportunity to develop critical skills that prepare them to recognize and address 21st Century Issues. Using the empathy-based human centered design model, students will be able to identify and solve existing issues in their communities. Students learn how to effectively design solutions “with” people, rather than “for” people. Taught in partnership with FCAB.
- Learning Pods: A Learning Pod is a group of 6-10 students who meet with a teacher at FCAB twice a week. Learning Pods can offer personalized and relevant learning experiences. Held in the Yvonne Delk Fellowship Hall, schools provide transportation, lunch and on-site instructions from teachers. Taught in partnership with FCAB.
- WHY LEARNING PODS?
- Safety! 8:1 student:facilitator ratio + outdoor learning spaces;
- Equity: First priority – students without WiFi;
- In-person learning to supplement virtual experiences;
- A new way of “doing school” – now and post-pandemic;
- Students pursue their purpose and passion, engage in the community, and develop agency through facilitated project-based learning experiences;
- Families connect across lines of difference
