Home Celebrity Viral Watch 1

5 Reasons First Flight Middle School Is Soaring: Inside The NC School’s 2025-2026 Successes

• minute read
Contents

First Flight Middle School (FFMS), located in the historic Outer Banks community of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, has cemented its status as one of the state's premier middle-grade institutions, with the 2025-2026 school year marking a period of significant academic and extracurricular triumphs. This institution, part of the larger Dare County Schools district, is not just a place for core instruction; it is a launchpad for future innovators, artists, and community leaders, consistently ranking in the top tier of North Carolina middle schools.

The school’s commitment to fostering a rigorous, yet supportive, environment is evident in its recent accolades, including major awards for its faculty and impressive showings in statewide competitions. As of December 20, 2025, FFMS is a hub of activity, focused on preparing its students for the transition to high school through advanced programs, specialized "Exploratories," and a dedicated teaching staff.

First Flight Middle School: Comprehensive Profile (2025-2026)

First Flight Middle School serves students in grades 6 through 8 and is renowned for its strong community ties and exceptional academic performance within the Dare County Schools system.

  • School Name: First Flight Middle School (FFMS)
  • Location: 109 Veterans Dr., Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, USA
  • District: Dare County Schools
  • Grades Served: 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
  • Principal (2025-2026): Diane Childress
  • Assistant Principals (2025-2026): Matt McGough, Sandy Corbett (recently appointed)
  • Academic Ranking (2026 Niche): #111 of 758 Best Public Middle Schools in North Carolina
  • Teacher Ranking (2026 Niche): #209 of Best Public Middle School Teachers in North Carolina
  • Consistently Ranks: Among the top 20% of middle schools in North Carolina
  • Mascot: The Falcons

FFMS's Award-Winning Faculty and STEM Dominance

The quality of education at First Flight Middle School is directly tied to its exceptional, award-winning faculty. The school’s recent achievements highlight an institutional focus on excellence in both humanities and the critical fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

District Teacher of the Year and Science Excellence

A major headline for the 2025-2026 school year is the recognition of FFMS's educators. Bruce Gemmill, a dedicated social studies teacher, was named the Dare County Schools' 2025-2026 District Teacher of the Year. This prestigious award underscores the school’s commitment to high-caliber instruction across all core subjects, including History and Social Studies.

Furthermore, the school’s science department received significant recognition when teacher Kaley Kiffner was honored with the Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher Award. Principal Diane Childress praised Ms. Kiffner for her rigorous teaching methods, reinforcing the school’s reputation for providing challenging and effective science education.

Dominating the KidWind Challenge

In a powerful display of its STEM capabilities, First Flight Schools (including the middle school) dominated the NC Renewable Energy Challenge in March 2025. This success earned the school an exclusive invitation to the highly competitive KidWind Challenge Worlds. The KidWind Challenge is a national competition that tasks students with designing, building, and testing a functional wind turbine, demonstrating real-world application of physics, engineering, and renewable energy concepts. This achievement is a clear indicator of the robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) and science programs available to students.

The Specialized Curriculum: Dual Language, AIG, and Exploratories

Beyond the core curriculum—which includes Humanities Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies—FFMS offers a variety of specialized programs designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of its middle school population. These programs are key to the school’s high performance rankings and its ability to deliver a well-rounded educational experience.

Expansion of the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program

A crucial update for the current academic year is the expansion of the Spanish Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program into the middle school. Students who began the DLI program in elementary school can now continue their bilingual education at FFMS. This innovative program is designed to develop academic proficiency in both English and Spanish, creating truly bilingual and biliterate students ready for a globalized workforce. The continuation of DLI at the middle school level is a significant step by Dare County Schools to solidify its commitment to language acquisition and cultural competence.

AVID and the Academically/Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program

FFMS actively supports students at all levels of academic readiness. The school hosts an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, which focuses on college readiness, organizational skills, and critical thinking, particularly for students in the academic middle.

For high-achieving students, the Academically/Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program provides specialized instruction and enrichment opportunities. These programs include summer enrichment and opportunities to participate in national program camps, ensuring that gifted students are continually challenged and engaged.

The Exploratories and Extracurricular Life

Middle school is a critical time for students to explore their interests, and FFMS facilitates this through its "Exploratories" course offerings. These classes provide a necessary break from core academics and allow students to develop diverse skills. Key Exploratories include:

  • Art: Fostering creativity and visual communication.
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE): Providing foundational skills for future careers, complementing the STEM focus.
  • Healthy Living: Promoting physical and mental wellness.
  • AVID: Focused on study skills and college preparation.

Extracurricular opportunities further enhance student life. Many 8th-grade students participate in the esteemed National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), emphasizing scholarship, service, and leadership. The school also offers a full slate of competitive athletics and various clubs, ensuring that students from the Outer Banks community have ample opportunities for service and personal growth.

The school's overall approach, which blends strong core instruction with specialized programs like DLI, AIG, and robust Exploratories, is the driving force behind its consistent ranking as a top-tier North Carolina middle school. The recent awards for teachers Bruce Gemmill and Kaley Kiffner, alongside the success in the KidWind Challenge, highlight a promising 2025-2026 year for the Falcons of Kill Devil Hills.

5 Reasons First Flight Middle School is Soaring: Inside the NC School’s 2025-2026 Successes
first flight middle school
first flight middle school

Detail Author:

  • Name : Dr. Broderick Veum
  • Username : elody.jakubowski
  • Email : ufisher@mccullough.net
  • Birthdate : 1993-06-05
  • Address : 95492 Deron Spring Apt. 799 North Rowena, TX 72426-5565
  • Phone : 917-995-5336
  • Company : Fritsch, Welch and Walter
  • Job : Buyer
  • Bio : Accusamus excepturi ex eveniet deleniti iusto. Hic reiciendis voluptas sit vel laboriosam ducimus. Autem ut voluptatum asperiores inventore dolorem eum.

Socials

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/anibal_xx
  • username : anibal_xx
  • bio : Sunt cum aperiam dolore id. Et aut animi accusamus. Ut ut cum quas eius.
  • followers : 2296
  • following : 1424

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/klocko2002
  • username : klocko2002
  • bio : Eos corrupti nisi sed. Non aut qui neque maxime velit. Nisi rem sunt omnis harum. Quia consequuntur ut cumque eum in rerum.
  • followers : 1445
  • following : 2063

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/anibal_klocko
  • username : anibal_klocko
  • bio : Unde fuga deserunt distinctio quia. Ipsum sit vel et voluptas iure et cum.
  • followers : 2586
  • following : 1663

tiktok:

linkedin:

Random Posts