Emily Smith is the President of CFEC's Board of Directors for the 2026-27 academic year. With the start of a new school year, CFEC has a variety of goals ahead, and we wanted to showcase the vision guiding the school forward. The following responses feature Emily's perspective on where the organization stands today and the strategic approach to helping our students reach their fullest potential.

This year, The Centers for Exceptional Children scored a huge donation goal, and we have FIFA's National Football Team from Germany to thank for this HUGE assist! CFEC was gifted $25,000 from Germany's team, and the school could not be more appreciative for the team effort in starting our school year off strong. To commemorate the German National Team's generous support, we have assemebled some footage and photos featuring Germany's Football team and their impact while touring the local Winston-Salem area during their time competing for the World Cup. Thank you so much once more to Germany's Football Team for bringing the compassion and dedication to our school and for supporting our students!

The ever-changing landscape of education and childcare continues to shape the direction of CFEC's efforts to help students reach their fullest potential. As we enter the new school year, The Centers for Exceptional Children is excited to announce a new partnership with Family Services and Head Start.

The Centers for Exceptional Children (CFEC) is kicking off the 2026–2027 school year with 33 unique students across its five Infant-Toddler and Pre-K classrooms. To better support young learners, CFEC has expanded on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy into the 3/4 year-old Pre-K classroom - bridging a critical gap for children who do not qualify for school district programs - and introduced continuous summer therapy options to prevent seasonal gaps in care. Alongside expanded clinical support, students can look forward to new sensory-rich outdoor learning spaces and certified, weekly Kindermusik® sessions designed to nurture whole-child development.

Welcome Back & What's Ahead for CFEC:
Recent Developments, Strategic Progress, and a Focus on the Future

Nicholas McCoy, Executive Director, Centers for Exceptional Children (CFEC)

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