Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) will open the new R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary School to the public on Monday, Aug. 12th, with a 4:30 P.M. dedication ceremony. The onsite replacement school is directly behind the original at 505 Sunnyside Drive S.E., Concord, NC 28025. 

A reception and public tour of the new facility will follow at 5 P.M. with the monthly business meeting of the Board of Education scheduled to begin in the R. Brown McAllister gymnatorium at 6 P.M.  

The 756-student facility, designed by Concord’s Yates Chreitzberg Hughes Architects and delivered by Construction Manager-at-Risk firm Rodgers Builder’s, Inc., will open to students on August 13th.  

The school features 117,000 square feet of administrative, dining, arts, media, recreation, and classroom space. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead in the school district where I was raised, and to make a difference for the students served by R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary,” said Principal Jessica Blanchard.  

“Our shared motto of ‘Engaging Minds and Shaping Futures’ will be highlighted in Year WON, as we emphasize World-class teaching and learning that Optimizes engagement and Nurtures students and staff wellness. This amazing new facility is a tremendous tool that will aid us in serving our students through the STEM philosophy of empowering students to understand complex problems and preparing our next generation of innovators.  From the careful naming of our corridors to the intentional allocation of McAllister meeting spaces, our mission of ‘creating critical thinking through collaboration and community’ is evident. Our amazing staff is excited to see our vision of ‘Empowering learners, Engaging Relationships, and Embracing Community’ in action in our new facility soon!” 

R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary will open with 650 students in grades K-5 with 51 licensed staff, three administrators, and 17 support staff. 

“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to collaborate with our team on the development of the new R. Brown McAllister STEM School Project,” said Brian Cone, the Cabarrus County Schools Director of Architecture, Construction, and Planning. “What began in 2018 as concept sketches and creative ideas to make the best use of the existing land owned by Cabarrus County Schools has culminated into one of the most beautiful and simplistic educational environments I could ever have imagined. 

“The creative talents of Yates Chreitzberg Hughes Architects, PA, and the outstanding workmanship and management of Rodgers Builders of Charlotte, NC, have brought this vision to life in ways that words are hard to describe. On behalf of our team, we are deeply grateful for the continued support from the Cabarrus County Board of Education and the Cabarrus County Commissioners, which has allowed us to be part of something so special. The administration, educators, and most importantly, the children of our community will benefit from this beautiful facility for many years to come.” 

The original R. Brown McAllister Elementary School opened in 1958 and is named in honor of Dr. Robert Brown McAllister who was called the “grand old man of education in Cabarrus County”. He was a classroom teacher, school principal, superintendent of Concord City Schools, and instructional supervisor for Cabarrus County Schools before the 1983 merger between Concord City Schools and Cabarrus County Schools.