NCHSAA approves membership for 3 new schools, some conference affiliations change
As part of its consent agenda, the N.C. High School Athletic Association approved the membership of three new schools on Tuesday morning.
Ballantyne Ridge High School, Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy, and Central Carolina Academy will all join the NCHSAA during the 2024-2025 school year. The addition of the three new schools was unanimously approved.
The NCHSAA will have 443 schools in its membership for the 2024-2025 school year.
Ballantyne Ridge is the newest high school in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, located in south Charlotte.
Earlier this year, the school district announced the mascot at Ballantyne Ridge would be the Wolves, while the official school colors are orange, Carolina blue, and gray.
Ballantyne Ridge is in the Ballantyne neighborhood, which is just north of the South Carolina border. The school is located between South Mecklenburg High School, Providence High School, and Ardrey Kell High School. Jeff Smith will be the school's athletic director.
Also approved as part of the consent agenda was a conference assignment for Ballantyne Ridge. The Wolves will join the So Meck 4A Conference with Ardrey Kell, Berry Academy, Myers Park, Olympic, Palisades, and South Mecklenburg.
Ballantyne Ridge is the second new high school to open in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in the last two years. Palisades opened its doors in 2022.
Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy is a charter school located in Huntersville and opened its doors in 2023. The school's mascot is the Eagles. Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy has not been assigned to a conference.
Central Carolina Academy was also granted membership to the NCHSAA. The school is located in Sanford and the mascot is the Eagles. Central Carolina Academy is also a charter school.
Bob Pegram is the athletic director at Central Carolina Academy. According to the school's website, it offers cross country, boys soccer, and volleyball in the fall; boys & girls basketball and wrestling in the winter; and baseball, girls soccer, and softball in the spring.
The NCHSAA Board of Directors also approved Central Carolina Academy's membership in the Central Tar Heel 1A Conference pending the conference's approval. The Central Tar Heel includes Ascend Leadership, Chatham Charter, Clover Garden, River Mill Academy, Southern Wake Academy, Triangle Math & Science, and Woods Charter
Two other schools were approved to join conferences: Jackson Day School and Wake Preparatory Academy.
Jackson Day will join the Metro 8 1A Conference with Apprentice Academy, Cabarrus Charter, Carolina International, Piedmont Community, Queens Grant, and Sugar Creek.
Wake Prep will join the Super Six 1A/2A Conference with East Wake Academy, Falls Lake Academy, Franklin Academy, N.C. Science & Math-Durham, Raleigh Charter, and Research Triangle.
