The Special Children's School becomes Pathways Academy at Ward when it moves to Ward Elementary in 2027. The district also asked for $1.3 million for 14.5 support jobs.

The Special Children’s School will be called Pathways Academy at Ward when it moves to the Ward Elementary School campus. The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education approved the new name after a public hearing at its work session Tuesday.

The district reported the vote in its Board of Education wrap-up. The school will open at Ward at the start of the 2027-28 school year.

Why the school needs a new name

The Special Children’s School serves students in the district’s exceptional children (EC) program. It now runs in space leased from the Center for Exceptional Children.

The board decided last year to end that lease and move the school to the Ward Elementary campus on Fraternity Church Road. It will keep running on its own there, as a “school within a school” for EC students.

The old name belongs to the Center for Exceptional Children, so the district needed a new one. Staff and families backed Pathways Academy at Ward, the district said. Its initials, PAW, nod to Ward’s lion mascot.

“It provides a balance between honoring our school’s unique identity and embracing the opportunity to become a larger part of Ward,” said Teirra Brooks, a teacher assistant at the school.

$1.3 million for students with high support needs

The board’s Curriculum Committee reviewed a plan to support students with disabilities. Schools are struggling to meet the needs of students with significant learning, developmental, behavioral, communication and adaptive needs, the district said. It named staff shortages, more complex needs and gaps in early identification as causes.

Forsyth County commissioners set aside $1.3 million for this in the 2026-27 budget, the district said. The money comes from a 0.2-cent property tax increase.

The district has now asked for $1,317,665 of it, including the share passed through to charter schools. The request would pay for 14.5 full-time positions aimed at:

  • students with high support needs in early elementary classrooms
  • keeping support steady as children move from pre-K to kindergarten

The committee took no vote.

Other business

  • New Ashley Elementary: the architect is redrawing the new school at 103,500 square feet, down from 113,500, after board members asked staff to cut size and cost. Once the board accepts the change, the project can go out to bid and Balfour Beatty can prepare a guaranteed maximum price.
  • Leases and land: the Buildings and Grounds Committee sent several items to the full board. They include multi-year athletic field leases, a lease with the city for the mobile unit at Easton Elementary and a land transfer with the city.
  • The audit is running late: the district’s move to new Tyler ERP finance software has made this year’s audit harder. It may not be finished until early 2027, the district said.
  • Small business policy: the Policy Committee advanced changes to Policy 3310. North Carolina Senate Bill 257 abolished the state’s Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses and the rules requiring participation goals for minority-, female- and disabled-owned businesses. The revised policy focuses on race- and gender-neutral small business enterprises. The district posted the revised policy and the reasons for the change.
  • Board member on leave: board member Steve Wood is stepping away from board duties while he is treated for injuries from a car crash. He is expected to make a full recovery, the district said.

What it means for you

  • If your child attends the Special Children’s School: the school moves to the Ward campus and takes its new name at the start of the 2027-28 school year.
  • If your child has high support needs in pre-K or early elementary grades: the 14.5 positions are a request, not yet a hire. Watch the full board meeting for the outcome.
  • To speak to the board: the next full meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 27. This week’s agenda and monthly budget report are on the board’s Simbli meeting portal.

For every school in the district, with grades and attendance zones, see our Winston-Salem public schools guide.