The school no longer has magnet programs, since the International Baccalaureate program was relocated to another school several years ago. However, the Academy of International Studies has now been incorporated into Independence, creating a 'school within a school' feeling. This program is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and encourages students to be aware of both their communities and the world. The Academy of Engineering was also later added, which is funded by NAF. In 2006, more than twenty students participated in an exam to be able to attend the Governor's School of North Carolina, a state-sponsored program for extremely gifted students, established by NC senator Terry Sanford. The previous year, six students from Independence met all the requirements to participate in the School. The requirements include writing two essays and receiving teacher recommendations. Though school officials expected more students to be accepted into the program, only two students made the cut in 2007.
Sports
In sports, Independence High School, also known as "the Big I"or"Indy" is a member of the Southwestern 4–A Conference. The woman's varsity volleyball and softball teams each have state championships. Independence Patriots Football Most notably, the Independence varsity football team, coached by Tom Knotts, won 109 straight games and won seven straight North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Championships. As of November 24, 2006, the Big I held the second longest winning streak in high school prep football, and also held the most consecutive wins in US public high school football history. Their streak was ended, however, On September 1, 2007 when Cincinnati Ohio's Elder High School defeated Independence in overtime, 41–34. Independence High has won an additional State Championship under Coach Bill Geiler in 2004 and 2006. Former Head Coach Tom Knotts has won 7 NC 4A Record of State Championships, 6 state championships won at Independence and 1 at West Charlotte. He also has the best winning percentage of any NC head football coach to coach at least 20 years or longer. He has also taken every school he has coached at to the state championship, including his current team Dutch Fork, who are the reigning 2013 4A SC Division 1 State Champions, defeating the perennial powerhouse Byrnes Rebels along the way. Coach Knotts is known for turning average schools into powerhouse programs Independence High School has the record for public school football win streak with 109 straight wins without a loss.. While De La Salle High School holds the longest win streak at any level with 151 wins. The Patriots continued the winning streak in the absence of Head Coach Tom Knotts in 2004. In that year, Independence had its strongest year of its streak and the most dominant year in the history of the state averaging 54 points a game and averaging 8 points against them. Coach Knotts left for a season to be the quarterbacks coach for Duke University Blue Devils football program, but returned to Independence after a single season at his alma mater. After Coach Tom Knotts left Independence in 2009 Coach Bill Geiler took back over as head coach for three years from 2010-2012. In recognition of their long winning streak, the football team was invited to appear on the NFLpre-game show before the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday, October 1, 2006. Independence alumnus WR Hakeem Nicks started for the NFL New York Giants and helped them win the Super Bowl in 2011. Independence Patriots Basketball The Patriots Men's Varsity Basketball team won the NCHSAA State Championship in 1997 versus Richmond Senior High School. The Men's Varsity Basketball team won the 2018 NCHSAA State Championship against Heritage High School.
