1998
A New School Opens
After receiving its charter, New Century Charter High School opened in August 1998 with a vision for personalized, community-connected education.
ABOUT HAWBRIDGE
From a small charter school founded by parents and educators to a thriving public charter school serving students in grades K–12, Hawbridge has always been guided by a belief that learning should be personal, meaningful, and connected to community.
Every chapter of Hawbridge’s story reflects the people, partnerships, and educational vision that continue to shape the school today.
A shared vision, a new home, and decades of growth shaped the Hawbridge community we know today.
1998
After receiving its charter, New Century Charter High School opened in August 1998 with a vision for personalized, community-connected education.
2003
Dr. Marcia Huth became Director of Education, bringing a vision centered on academic excellence, collaborative community, and arts integration.
2004
The school moved into the restored textile mill beside the Haw River, opening new opportunities for community partnerships, outdoor learning, and interdisciplinary education.
2007
The State Board of Education approved the school’s new name, reflecting its growing connection to the Haw River and the Saxapahaw community.
2021
Hawbridge expanded with a second campus across the road, creating a dedicated Upper School for students in grades 7–12.
Today
Hawbridge continues to grow through dedicated faculty, meaningful community partnerships, Place-Based Education, and a commitment to helping every student discover their own path.
A shared vision became a new kind of school.
The Hawbridge School began with a group of parents, educators, and community members who believed students deserved a more personalized educational experience. Among those who helped write the original charter proposal were charter school advocate Maureen Joy, parents of homeschooled students, and faculty from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University.
The charter was awarded in 1998, during the second year of North Carolina’s charter school movement. The school opened that August as New Century Charter High School (NCCHS).
The move to the Haw River helped shape Hawbridge’s future.
After operating in several temporary locations around Chapel Hill, the school found its permanent home in 2004 when it moved into the beautifully restored textile mill beside the Haw River in historic Saxapahaw.
The location opened new possibilities for community partnerships, outdoor education, and interdisciplinary learning that continue to define the Hawbridge experience today.
As Hawbridge grew, so did its educational opportunities.
Working alongside local organizations, faculty developed programs in sustainable agriculture, outdoor education, environmental studies, music, languages, theater, textile arts, and interdisciplinary learning. Students learned both inside and beyond the classroom through authentic partnerships rooted in the surrounding community.
Experiences on the Haw River, in teaching gardens, and throughout Saxapahaw helped establish the Place-Based Education philosophy that remains central to Hawbridge today.
In 2007, the State Board of Education approved the school’s name change to The Hawbridge School, reflecting a broader vision for the school’s future while honoring its growing connection to the Haw River community.
Environmental studies, ethics, and stewardship became defining elements of the curriculum through partnerships with university faculty, environmental organizations, and local experts.
“The land ethic enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals.”
— Aldo Leopold
That philosophy continues to influence Hawbridge’s approach to learning today.
The story continues with every graduating class.
Hawbridge graduates have continued their education at colleges and universities throughout the country while carrying forward the confidence, curiosity, and sense of community developed during their time at school.
Today, Hawbridge continues to grow through innovative programs, dedicated faculty, strong community partnerships, and a commitment to helping every student discover their own path.
The Hawbridge School complies with all applicable federal civil rights requirements and USDA nondiscrimination policies.
Please refer to the official USDA nondiscrimination statement below.