Our Program

Our Purpose: Educate, Shape, Nurture, Empower

The purpose of Pitt Academy & RISE is to give students the tools to build a successful future. We are a place of second chances, committed to empowering young men and women to achieve excellence in all aspects of life. In a safe and caring environment, we educate the mind, shape the character, and nurture creativity. We champion the belief that every student can effect positive change and strive to develop the values and behaviors of outstanding citizens.

Pitt Academy Mission

Pitt Academy and RISE's mission is to empower our students to achieve excellence in all areas of life and to give them a second chance to succeed. We strive to provide a safe, orderly, and caring environment and stress that each student is capable of effecting positive change in his world.

Pitt Academy Vision

Pitt Academy and RISE exist to help educate the mind, shape the character, and nurture the creativity of young men and women, while encouraging them to display the values, characteristics, and behaviors of good citizens. 

 

Kindergarten through 5th Grade (RISE)

The R.I.S.E. (Restarting and Igniting Self-Accountability to Excel) program is an Alternative Learning Program (ALP) for elementary students. It is designed to support students who require removal from their traditional school setting due to extreme emotional or psychological issues, or for repeated, intervention-resistant behavioral challenges.

The program serves as an alternative placement to long-term suspension or as a transitional setting for students coming from other therapeutic facilities. R.I.S.E. operates in partnership with the student's home school, coordinating on academics, attendance, and behavior to ensure students are supported and remain connected to their base school community.

• Exceptional Children (EC) Services: The program works closely with the home school's EC department to implement and monitor services for students with disabilities, ensuring all needs outlined in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are met in the alternative setting.

6th Grade through 12th Grade

Pitt Academy is a full-day alternative placement option for students who need to be removed from their home schools. It is designed as a structured resource to help students achieve success and allow home schools to move past incidents that may have disrupted the educational process.

Students may be placed at Pitt Academy for a wide range of reasons, including:

• As an alternative to long-term suspension

• Chronic misbehavior

• Pending felony charges

• Parent choice

• Academic difficulty or acceleration

• Attendance, emotional, or personal/family challenges

• Transfers from other alternative or therapeutic facilities

Program Structure

The program serves both middle and high school students. While both levels are often served together in the main program (Tier One), academic expectations are distinct. High school students, for instance, are required to complete four hours of active time daily in the Edgenuity program.

• Career and Technical Education (CTE): The program offers CTE pathways, allowing students to explore career interests and gain job-ready skills. These courses may be delivered through the Edgenuity platform or specialized on-site instruction.

• Exceptional Children (EC) Services: Pitt Academy provides a full continuum of services for students with disabilities. Staff collaborate with home schools to ensure all accommodations, modifications, and goals within a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan are implemented.

All students, regardless of tier, must attend a new student orientation. Seniors who complete their graduation plan at Pitt Academy (across any tier) will participate in the Pitt Academy graduation ceremony, not their home school's ceremony.

Pitt Academy provides services across three distinct tiers. These tiers are determined by Pitt Academy staff or Hearing Officers, not by the home school.

The Three Tiers of Service

Tier One: Pitt Academy Regular Program This is the most comprehensive tier, serving up to 30 middle and 45 high school students at the Sadie Saulter Educational Center.

• Service Level: Students attend five days a week for 30 hours of service.

• Transportation: Door-to-door transportation is provided daily.

Tier Two This tier provides a reduced level of service and is often used for students who have behavioral or academic challenges in Tier One, have work/childcare conflicts, or need to be separated from other students.

• Service Level: Students attend four afternoons a week (Monday through Thursday from 2:30 PM till 4:30 PM) for eight hours of service.

• Transportation: No transportation is provided, though it may be available if a student meets certain requirements.

Tier Three: Pitt Academy Home Tier Program This is the least desirable tier with very limited services, often used for students with felony charges or in specific disciplinary cases.

• Service Level: Students work from home and must complete a minimum of 25% of two courses each week. They are required to attend a mandatory goal-setting phone call with staff at an assigned time every week. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to removal from the program.

• Transportation: No transportation is provided.

This is the board-approved academic calendar for Pitt County Schools. It includes all student holidays, early release days, teacher workdays, and the official first and last day of school. Please refer to this calendar when making plans for the school year.

Click here for the approved 2025-26 traditional school calendar (English)

Click here for the approved 2025-26 traditional school calendar (Spanish)

RISE Program

7:45 AM - 1:30 PM

Restarting and Igniting Self- Accountability to Excel

Pitt Academy

Tier 1 - 7:45 AM - 1:30 PM

Tier 2 - 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Monday - Thursday)

Middle School and High School Alternative Program

Early Release is typically 3 hours earlier than our scheduled release time.

School Closings & Delays

Sometimes, bad weather or other emergencies may cause us to close schools, delay our opening time, or dismiss students early.

• Early Release: On early release days, students are typically dismissed 2 hours before their regular scheduled release time.

How We Will Notify You

When a change to the school schedule happens, we will immediately alert the public in several ways:

• Phone Call: Parents, guardians, and staff may receive a phone call from our emergency notification system.

• Website: The latest information will be posted on the PCS website.

• Hotline: Call the PCS Information Hotline at (252) 830-3500.

• Media: We will notify all local TV and radio stations. WITN and WNCT

When Will We Announce?

We always try to make a decision as early as possible to give families time to plan.

Visit the link for more information about School Closings and Delays.

Serving Pitt Academy & RISE along with all Pitt County Schools, the School Nutrition Services department is dedicated to meeting the daily nutritional needs of every student, ensuring they are healthy, fit, and ready to learn.  We proudly participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs, as well as after-school snack and summer meal programs, to provide nutritious and affordable choices. Our mission is to nourish students for success while also accommodating a variety of special dietary needs, including food allergies and preferences.

For the latest school menus and information on meal pricing, please visit the district's Menus and Meal Prices page.

Come Visit Us or Call Us

You can find Pitt Academy & RISE at our campus, which is housed at the Sadie Saulter Educational Center.

Our physical address is: 1019 Fleming Street Greenville, NC 27834

Phone: 252-830-3501