Foust Elementary School, a Guilford County Schools (GCS) institution in North Carolina (NC), marked a new chapter on February 3, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling its rebuilt facility. The school is the first public gaming and robotics elementary school in the country.
Originally established in 1965, Foust underwent a transformation following a 2020 bond approval. The school aims to equip students with skills for the global economy, focusing on technology-driven fields. The curriculum emphasizes gaming, robotics, coding, and animation.
Foust's focus on STEM is driven by labor market trends indicating growth in related fields. Web developers and digital designers, for example, have an 8% projected growth rate. The school's staff received specialized training to deliver this curriculum.
Foust is planning partnerships with universities for further programming. Another school district in New Jersey, the Morris-Union Jointure Commission, is using gaming and technology to engage students with cognitive and behavioral differences.