School Info

Moore County Schools offers a comprehensive curriculum K-12 that includes workforce development, programs for special needs and gifted students and arts education. All three high schools offer a variety of Advanced Placement course, as well as other academically challenging opportunities for all students.The district’s students have consistently met or exceeded growth expectations in the state’s “ABCs” accountability program. In addition, the district’s 2011 SAT average of 1025 exceeded the national average by 14 points and the state average by 24 points.Moore County Schools supports the efforts of teachers pursuing National Board Certification.Moore County, North Carolina, is economically diverse andnoted for its high quality of life. Although agriculture has always played an important part in the county’s economics, today’s major industries include tourism, health care, and education.

Pinehurst, home of the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Open Golf Championships, is world renowned for golf and recreation.Sandhills Community College, the first community college in the state, is recognized as one of the premier community colleges in the nation.

Dr. Aaron Spence, Superintendent

Moore County Schools

The Moore County Board of Education announced the selection and appointment of Dr. Aaron Spence as the next Superintendent of the Moore County Schools at a special called meeting Dec. 20. 

Dr. Spence will assume the position on February 6, 2012.  He currently serves as the Chief High School Officer for the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in Houston, TX.  HISD serves over 200,000 students and includes 35 high schools, all of which are under Dr. Spence’s supervision.  He has held this position, equivalent to that of a North Carolina assistant superintendent, since August 2010.    

“When the Board started this process, we had no idea what our pool of applicants would look like,” said Board Chair Kathy Farren.  “However, we were extremely pleased with the caliber of candidates who responded and with whom we met.  Among these, Dr. Spence stood out from the very beginning, and, throughout the process, we continued to be impressed with his experience, vision and enthusiasm.”    

During the search process, the Moore County Board of Education reviewed applications and supporting documentation from more than 25 candidates and carefully considered the information collected from the community surveys.  Farren said the Board is excited to have found someone with Dr. Spence’s experience, skills, passion, dedication and commitment to improving education for students and is confident that he will lead the Moore County Schools to the next level of achievement.     

Before beginning his tenure in Houston, Dr. Spence served as the Chief Academic Officer and Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Chesterfield County Public Schools in Virginia.  His experience in Virginia also includes time as a high school principal and assistant principal in Henrico County.  He began his career as a high school French and photojournalism teacher in Stafford County, VA.  Dr. Spence has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia, where he received a bachelor’s degree in French Studies, a master’s degree in Secondary Education and a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision.    

After a nationwide search, Dr. Spence was chosen to open Deep Run High School in Henrico County, VA. During his seven years as principal, he led the school from its opening to the distinction of being named one of America’s Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report, as well as earning honors as one of the top-performing high schools in the state of Virginia.      

Dr. Spence is a recipient of the REB Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership and was selected as a 2010 Emerging Leader by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development – one of only 30 professional educators chosen to participate in the national cohort.  In his year and a half in Houston, he has helped decrease HISD’s drop-out rate while increasing the graduation rate to a historical high.  The district’s science and math test scores and the number of students participating in advanced courses have also increased dramatically during his tenure.    

He has been described as a natural leader with excellent communication skills who is extremely talented yet humble and the consummate professional in building teams.  He is held in high regard by his peers as a consensus builder and problem solver who always puts students first.    

Dr. Spence said he is excited to be returning to the east coast and looks forward to the opportunity to become a part of the Moore County community.  He and his wife, Krista, have six children; Bella (Isabella), Mattingly, Christopher, Kristianna, Ian and Aaron Charles David Spence born Dec. 26, 2011.