The school's original mascot, the Raider, reflects the rich history of the Nations Ford (a convenient crossing over the Catawba River) and surrounding area in the founding of the United States.

When Smith Language Academy relocated to the Waddell campus, the Ram mascot was brought along.

It also served as the home ground for the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Second Division through the 2007 season.

In 1979, he was appointed Assistant Superintendent for Auxiliary Services, the position he held until his retirement in 1982.

Alexander Michael Cecil won first place in the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for his project titled The Assessment of Silver Nanoparticles in the Environment on Gene Expression in C. elegans.