The 4-Day School Week Revolution: Inside Quality Education Academy Winston-Salem NC's Bold New Chapter
Quality Education Academy (QEA) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is currently at the center of a fascinating and potentially revolutionary experiment in K-12 schooling: the implementation of a 4-day school week. This bold scheduling change, affecting students and staff from Monday to Thursday, is one of the most significant updates for the public charter school as of December 2025, marking a distinct new chapter in its operational history.
The academy, which serves approximately 667 students across grades K-12, is navigating a complex landscape that balances innovative scheduling with the persistent challenge of academic improvement. As the school embraces a new calendar and continues its focus on athletics with the competitive Fighting Pharaohs teams, its mission remains centered on delivering "Excellence without Exception," a theme that drives the institution's leadership and community engagement efforts.
The Leadership Behind QEA: Dr. Jefferson Caruthers, Jr.
The strategic direction of Quality Education Academy is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, with Dr. Jefferson Caruthers, Jr. serving as the Chairman. His leadership is pivotal in navigating the school’s academic and operational decisions, including the recent shift to the 4-day schedule.
- Full Name: Dr. Jefferson R. Caruthers, Jr.
- Primary Role at QEA: Chairman of the Board.
- Hometown: Anaheim, California.
- Professional Vocation: Preacher/Shepherd at the Carver Road Church of Christ in Winston-Salem, NC.
- Family Background: Son of a gospel preacher, Jefferson Caruthers, Sr.
- Spouse: Felecia Caruthers.
- Community Involvement: Deeply involved in the Churches of Christ community, including participation in the Churches of Christ in the 21st Century Oral History Project.
- Influence: Dr. Caruthers's role as a spiritual and community leader provides a foundation of strong, values-based governance for the charter school.
His dual role as a prominent local pastor and the Chairman of QEA’s board underscores the academy’s commitment to a holistic educational model that incorporates strong community values alongside academic and athletic pursuits.
The Bold Experiment: A 4-Day School Week Schedule
One of the most talked-about changes at the Quality Education Academy in recent times is the move to a compressed 4-day school week. This innovative approach sees students and staff attending school from Monday through Thursday, granting them a three-day weekend. This model, which is gaining traction in various districts across the United States, is often adopted for several key reasons, though it remains a subject of intense debate among educational experts and parents.
Intended Benefits and Community Impact
The shift to a 4-day schedule at this Winston-Salem charter school is generally intended to yield multiple benefits. For students, the extended weekend offers more time for family engagement, extracurricular activities, and focused study or remediation without the pressure of a traditional school day. For the school itself, the model can be a powerful tool for teacher recruitment and retention, providing staff with a valuable day for professional development, planning, or personal time, which is crucial for a K-12 institution with a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Furthermore, the compressed schedule can lead to significant cost savings on utilities, transportation, and food services, though the daily instruction time must be lengthened to meet the state-mandated hourly requirements for public schools. The success of this model will be closely monitored by the North Carolina education community, as it represents a significant departure from the conventional 5-day format.
The decision reflects a willingness by the QEA Board, led by Dr. Caruthers, Jr., to explore non-traditional solutions to modern educational challenges, aiming to improve the overall quality of education and student life at the academy.
Academic Performance and The Path to Excellence
While the administrative and scheduling changes are new and exciting, the core mission of Quality Education Academy remains academic improvement. The academy’s current academic standing presents a clear challenge, which the new operational model is presumably designed to help address.
A Look at Current Ratings and Scores
As of the 2024-2025 school year, Quality Education Academy has been assigned a "Grade D" rating. This rating is consistent with broader performance metrics, as the school is currently ranked in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores. Independent platforms like Niche and Repit assign the school a C+ grade, with a Repit School Score of 65/100.
The data highlights the intensive focus required on curriculum development and instructional strategies. The school’s theme, "Excellence without Exception," serves as a powerful mantra to inspire staff and students to overcome these challenges. The goal is to leverage the benefits of the new 4-day structure—such as increased teacher planning time and reduced student burnout—to drive a measurable increase in academic achievement and North Carolina test scores.
The curriculum, which spans from Kindergarten through 12th grade, aims to prepare students for post-secondary success. The current search for a Spanish Teacher indicates an ongoing commitment to maintaining diverse and essential subject offerings.
The Athletic Powerhouse: Fighting Pharaohs Basketball
Beyond the classroom, Quality Education Academy is well-known for its competitive athletics, particularly its boys' basketball program. The QEA Fighting Pharaohs have established a reputation for developing high-level talent and competing against some of the best prep schools in the nation.
Recent Sports Highlights (2025 Season)
The Varsity Boys Basketball team maintains a rigorous schedule, participating as a member of the Carolina Athletics Association for Schools of Choice (CAA4SC) at the high school level. Recent game results from early 2025 demonstrate the high level of competition the team faces, including matchups against formidable opponents like Oak Hill Academy High School and Winston Salem Christian National High School.
The athletic program provides a vital outlet for student engagement, discipline, and college recruitment opportunities. Streaming services allow fans to watch the QEA Fighting Pharaohs online, keeping the Winston-Salem community connected to the team’s progress. The success of the basketball program often serves as a source of pride and recognition for the entire academy.
Other QEA Sports
While basketball often takes the spotlight, the academy also supports other sports, including soccer. The Varsity Boys Soccer team, for instance, has recent scheduled games in October 2025, showing a commitment to a multi-sport environment. The focus on athletics, coupled with the academic program, aims to produce well-rounded graduates ready for the next stage of their lives.
Future Outlook for the Winston-Salem Charter School
The future of Quality Education Academy is defined by its willingness to innovate. The move to the 4-day school week is a testament to the board's commitment to finding a unique operational model that can potentially revitalize the learning environment and improve academic outcomes. The community, parents, and educational analysts will be closely watching the impact of this schedule change on the 2025-2026 academic year.
For a public charter school in Winston-Salem, NC, QEA’s journey represents a microcosm of the broader challenges facing K-12 education: how to balance budget constraints, teacher retention, and the imperative to raise test scores. With a strong leadership team under Dr. Caruthers, Jr., and a clear focus on both academic and athletic excellence, Quality Education Academy is poised to demonstrate whether a bold scheduling change can truly lead to a new era of quality education.
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