Guilford County Schools Unveils Plans for Arts School and Security Upgrades

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Guilford County Schools hosted a community meeting on Tuesday to share details about the upcoming Visual and Performing Arts School, set to open in Fall 2025 for kindergarten through fifth-grade students.

Parent involvement was strong at the meeting, reflecting excitement over the new school, which will serve approximately 600 students. The establishment of this specialized school is part of the district’s 2020 bond projects aimed at enhancing educational offerings.

Ebony Smith, a parent in the district, expressed her enthusiasm about the new program. “The school looks amazing. It’s gonna be neat to go into a brand-new building. She’s got a few more years left in elementary, the idea of staying somewhere for a few more years and feeding into another program, if that possibility permits. That’s what we’re excited about – a whole new experience,” Smith said.

Meanwhile, in a separate initiative, Guilford County Schools announced the installation of new security vestibules at eight elementary schools in High Point. These upgrades aim to enhance student safety by implementing multiple security checks at building entrances.

The press release outlines that each vestibule will feature a second set of walls and doors to bolster security, alongside electronic door releases equipped with intercoms and cameras. Additionally, a security glass lamination will be installed to further secure school access.

“The vestibule projects will add an additional layer of security to these schools, bringing the main entrances of these buildings up to modern safety standards,” said Mike Richey, assistant superintendent of school safety and emergency management.

Plans for vestibules in ten additional schools within Greensboro and High Point are expected to be presented to the school board later this year. The initiative follows similar upgrades already completed at Hairston, Eastern, Southern, and Kernodle middle schools.

Assistant Superintendent Richey emphasized the importance of building a trusted environment, stating, “The most important part of our safety is a relationship between a trusted adult and a student. We’re continually learning from what’s going on in the community and bringing it forward so that we can truly make our schools the safest place for our kids to learn so they can focus on learning while we focus on safety.”

The installation of vestibules at the eight High Point schools is scheduled to be completed before the start of the 2025-26 school year.