After opening its doors in 2000, Millennium Charter Academy is celebrating a decade of learning this year.

This spring, the school is planning to have a celebration in honor of its success.

“We want to make people aware we’ve been here 10 years, of what we’ve accomplished and where we want to go,” said LuAnn Browne, director of development and IT.

In working to expand the activities of the Central Carolina Conference, which the school helped to found this year, the school will be working to include the arts and academics in 2010. The school has a new debate team that it hopes will get involved in the conference.

“We are shooting for an art show and some sort of musical exchange,” said Browne.

In addition to involving the arts in the new conference, the school plans to host ACT V in the spring. ACT V, which stands for Arts Converging with Technology, refers with the school’s desire to involve the community in its lessons. The program brings community members into the school to discuss topics relating to art and technology, including artists, authors, architects and MRI specialists.

“Last year, 20 people came and presented,” said Browne. “Having them in a small setting gave the children more freedom to ask questions and learn. It was a wonderful week because it brought the community in.”

The school’s Model UN team, which was successful during the fall competition, will pick back up again in the spring with a second competition.

“It helps the kids think globally. It’s really about higher thinking skills because they have to think as another country,” said Browne.

MCA will be hosting the regional spelling bee in February once again. The bee will be for elementary school students as well as middle school students.

One of the big focuses for the school in 2010 is to continue increasing awareness throughout the area and an understanding of what the school stands for.

“We think the decade of learning will help with that. We want to broaden the reach around us,” said Browne.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.