About CATA
About Our School
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CATA serves grades 9-12 and is located in Monroe. We are a magnet high school with six academies: Information Systems, Pre-Engineering, Medical Science, Performing Arts, Transportation Systems and International Academy. Ninth and tenth grades from across the district apply for a spot in one of the academies each year. Ninth-graders are selected based on a lottery for all academies except dance, theatre and music production and recording arts; those three academies participate in an audition process. Tenth-graders are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Tenth graders applying to the Performing Arts Academy also participate in an audition process.
- Address: Central Academy of Technology & Arts, 600 Brewer Drive, Monroe, NC 28112
- Phone: 704-296-3088
- Fax: 704-296-3090
- Staff Directory
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Fast Facts
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- Traditional Calendar
- Start Bell: 9:05 a.m.
- End Bell: 3:45 p.m.
- Early Release Bell: 12:45 p.m.
- Detailed Schedule
- Mascot: Cougars
- Colors: Navy, maroon, and gold
- Mission Statement: The mission of Central Academy of Technology & Arts is to prepare students to be informed, capable, and compassionate global citizens by providing an environment that fosters respect, confidence, growth, curiosity, creativity, critical thought, and knowledge.
Meet Our School Leaders
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Kevin Beals (Principal)
About Mr. BealsKevin Beals was named principal of Central Academy of Technology & Arts at the June 2022 Board of Education meeting.
Mr. Kevin Beals was raised in southern New Hampshire until he moved to North Carolina in 2006. Mr. Beals earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of New Hampshire, and his Master’s Degree in Teaching Mathematics from Rivier College. He has been an educator since 1992. He worked for 11 years in education in NH, including five years with Special Education students, and for six years as a middle school teacher. In 2006, Mr. Beals and his family moved to Union County where he resumed his teaching career at Sun Valley Middle School. After earning his license for School Administration, he transitioned to the role of Assistant Principal at SVMS in 2011. Then, in 2015, Union County Public Schools granted Mr. Beals a transfer to Sardis Elementary as an Assistant Principal. After serving at Sardis for nearly three years, Mr. Beals was named Interim Principal to close out the 2017-2018 school year. Shortly thereafter, he was given the incredible opportunity to lead Sardis as Principal.
Mr. Beals has been married to his wife, Randi, for 15 years and together they have 3 children that attend school in UCPS. Mr. Beals enjoys coaching baseball and basketball and can often be found on the field or court when not at school. Mr. Beals is honored to work with the faculty, students, parents, and all stakeholders of this great school community.
Contact Mr. Beals
- Email: kevin.beals@ucps.k12.nc.us
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Dr. Michelle Newnam (Assistant Principal)
About Dr. NewnamPrior to being assistant principal of Central Academy of Technology & Arts, Dr. Newnam was assistant principal at Porter Ridge High School in August 2018. She was an assistant principal in the county for six years at an elementary school. Dr. Newnam earned a B.F.A. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Masters of School Administration from Queens University of Charlotte, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Dr. Newnam has three kids and two dogs. Her oldest two children are graduates of Appalachian State University and her youngest child is a senior at Appalachian State University.
Dr. Newnam has worked in education since 1994. During her tenure teaching, Dr. Newnam worked at the District level designing rubrics, performance assessments, and creating curriculum guides. She also worked at the state level reviewing performance assessments.
Contact Dr. Newnam
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Thomas Stewart (Assistant Principal)
About Mr. StewartTom Stewart is originally from Albany, New York and moved to the area in 2007 when he began working Benton Heights. He then moved over to Monroe Middle school in 2012 where he continued his teaching career as a math teacher. In 2014 Mr. Stewart began his Assistant Principal career at Monroe Middle school where is was responsible at different times for both 6th grade and eighth-grade students. In January of 2019, Mr. Stewart made the move to Central Academy of Technology & Arts where he currently is over ninth and 10th-grade students.
When Mr. Stewart is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, his chocolate lab Murphy, and traveling around.
Contact Mr. Stewart
- Phone: 704-296-3088, ext. 7141
- Email: thomas.stewart@ucps.k12.nc.us
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School Performance Director
- Dr. Bashawn Harris
- 704-296-0824, ext. 4031
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Professional Advisory Council Representatives
- Principal: Kevin Beals
- Representative: Aaron Hammers
