WILSON COUNTY, N.C. — High School students are back in Wilson County classrooms after almost a year of learning virtually from home.

What You Need To Know

  • Wilson Academy of Applied Technology, or WAAT, is an early college high school

  • WAAT offers students the chance to earn a diploma and associate's degree for free in its five year program

  • Out of 201 students, 110 decided to go back for in-person instruction


At Wilson Academy of Applied Technology, or WAAT, safety measures are in place to help the school day run smoothly. 

WAAT's program is held on Beddingfield High School’s campus and Wilson Community College’s campus.

When students walk through the doors, they will be temperature checked and answer COVID-19 screening questions. There are also signs throughout the school reminding everyone to social distance, wear a mask, and wash their hands.

WAAT Principal Krystal Cox says their programs focus a lot on collaboration, so working with these new rules will take some getting used to.

"It is going to be very different to try to do things like group work," Cox says. "So, if you were to normally come into our classrooms, you would see the tables put together or you would see our desk put into circular pods. And so now, everything is in traditional straight rows. So that is very different for our school's culture."

Students will all be provided masks and their own individual supplies.

High schoolers' first day back in the classroom is March 1. Middle schoolers and elementary age students went back for in-person instruction on February 22.