Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Carolinas College, in collaboration with Atrium Health are refreshing existing high school, Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences, to prepare students for four specific pathways of health sciences degrees, certificates and careers. The Bloomberg Philanthropies Healthcare Education Initiative’s partnership aims to create student-centered, market-driven health care education initiatives. This initiative will create real access to stable, good-paying jobs and upward family mobility for Mecklenburg County students while filling critical health care shortages by strengthening the local health science talent pipeline.
By removing barriers to college enrollment and providing progressive work-based learning opportunities, Hawthorne Academy students can receive an associate degree in General Science, an associate degree in Applied Science or an industry certificate within an additional one to two years upon high school graduation with prioritized hiring within Atrium Health thereafter.
Hawthorne Academy students will participate in dual enrollment at Carolinas College of Health Sciences to earn college credits while completing their high school diploma. They will participate in on-campus skills labs, clinical experiences, paid summer internships, and more.
In This Section:
In the fall of 11th grade, students will choose from four specialized pathways at Carolinas College to customize their health care education:
Healthcare Simulation - This innovative program offers an exciting opportunity to work behind the scenes, merging health care and technology to create realistic simulation scenarios for diverse health care professionals. This emerging field combines education, technology, operations, research and leadership skills. It’s perfect for those who want to make a significant impact in health care without direct patient interaction.
Neurodiagnostic Technology - Students with a hunger for solving complex problems and a fascination with the innerworkings of the brain should join the Neurodiagnostic Technology program. This pathway teaches students to record electrical activity from the brain and nervous system to help physicians diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, somatosensory and motor nerve systems. This program is designed to train students to perform electroencephalograms (EEGs), evoked potentials (EPs) and Nerve Condition Studies (NCS) in hospitals and other health care facilities.
Nursing - The Nursing program trains students to become Registered Nurses (RNs), who provide comprehensive care, treatment, counseling, and health education to individuals, families and communities. The curriculum includes essential topics such as nursing fundamentals, behavioral health and child and adolescent health. With today’s national demand for registered nurses, it is the perfect time for those with a passion to help others to pursue a sustainable and rewarding nursing career.
Radiologic Technology - In the Radiologic Technology pathway, students will learn to become radiographers and to safely utilize X-rays to perform diagnostic imaging procedures using state-of-the-art equipment. Radiographers use professional and ethical judgment and critical thinking when performing their duties.
Do you know a rising 9th-grade student who would thrive in a health care career-focused program? Discover the career exploration and work-based learning opportunities available at Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences!
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ school choice lottery registration opens Nov. 18 and runs through Jan. 3, 2025. This year, Hawthorne Academy is accepting applications for both rising 9th and 10th graders for the 2025-26 school year. Visit the CMS website to learn more and to register a student.
In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a $250 million health care initiative allowing students to directly enter the workforce into high-demand health care positions with family-sustaining wages. Atrium Health and Carolinas College are excited to participate in this first-of-its kind initiative in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. As part of this initiative, Atrium Health has committed to providing job opportunities for students who successfully complete the graduation requirement of their respective programs.
