This program is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and encourages students to be aware of both their communities and the world.

Independence Patriots Football During the 2000s, the Independence varsity football team, coached by Tom Knotts and Bill Geiler, won 109 straight games,[6] that included seven straight North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Championships (2000 4A, 2001 4A, 2002 4AA, 2003 4AA, 2004 4AA, 2005 4AA, 2006 4AA).

Their streak ended on September 1, 2007, when Cincinnati Ohio's Elder High School defeated Independence in overtime, 41–34.

[8] During Independence's long winning streak, the football team was invited to appear on the NFL pre-game show before the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday, October 1, 2006.

The Boys Varsity Basketball team would win the NCHSAA 4A State Championship again in 2018, against Heritage High School.