GASTONIA, N.C. — Gaston County musician Bailey Marie Griggs was expelled from her high school right before her senior year. The school claims playing in venues that serve alcohol goes against its code of conduct.

Griggs, 16, started singing when she was 10, but in the last few years, her career has taken off.

“I've kind of just been traveling, and I've been writing a lot of new, original music, and I got a band together,” Griggs said. 

What You Need To Know

  • Bailey Marie Griggs has been singing since she was 10

  • In the last few years, her singing career has taken off

  • She was able to go to school in a hybrid model through Cramerton Christian Academy

  • Recently, the school expelled her, citing an honor code violation from her gigs

Through it all, she’s been able to stay grounded by going to high school at Cramerton Christian Academy remotely through its home school bridge program. 

“It was a really good mix between, you know, being on the professional side of the singing world, but then also getting a good mix of, you know, being with friends,” Griggs said.

Which made it possible for her to do her music, along with normal high school activities, such as cheerleading.

“I have best friends at that school and the cheer team was amazing,” Griggs said. “And I loved every every part of that.”

But last week, Griggs' mom received an email saying she would no longer be able to attend the school next year.

In the email, the school said based on the sample behaviors listed in the student handbook, Bailey Griggs' social media and schedule of performances would indicate that Cramerton Christian is no longer a good fit for her goals.

“I read the email, and I was kind of confused at first,” Griggs said. “Because I was like, 'Wait there. I'm not allowed to go back because I sing?' But I've been doing this ever since I've been at the school, and everybody's kind of known about it.”

Griggs said she did sign the honor code but had always been very open and honest with school leaders since she began attending in seventh grade.

And the school has never said anything before about the venues she plays in.

“I mean, it wasn't a problem at all. I played at Amos’ on January 11 and, you know, they serve alcohol. But again, I posted about it, the school saw it, and, you know, nothing was said,” Griggs said. “And everybody went along about their day, and it was fine.”

And once her set is done, she said she packs up her gear and leaves the venues.

“I literally go to these venues as a job, and I'm just a performer,” Griggs said. “I'm there to entertain the people. It's a job that I get paid to do.”

Griggs said she will finish high school somewhere else, but what hurts the most is not being able to finish with her friends.

“It was so heartbreaking just because I spend all of my time towards music and working on, you know, music and going and performing. But this was the one thing that I had that was normal,” Griggs said. “And I spent a lot of time, you know, trying to make it that way and trying to get the best of both worlds.”

But she’s determined to finish school and keep pursuing her music. 

“I'll still get to experience those things somewhere else,” Griggs said. “And you know, that's kind of how I'm looking at it in a positive way.”

Griggs has not yet figured out where she’ll attend her senior year.

She was just announced to perform alongside Eric Church and Lainey Wilson at the Field and Stream Music Fest in October in South Carolina.

Cramerton Christian Academy declined to comment on the situation, citing privacy.