NC School Report Cards

Welcome to Blue Ridge School

Vision: Learning for All

Mission: Engage, enlighten, and enrich the educational experience of all children at Blue Ridge School.

Blue Ridge School is located in beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Our PK-6 school shares a campus with Blue Ridge Early College, and together, we provide students and families with the unique opportunity to watch their children grow and thrive on the same campus for their elementary and secondary experience. Our shared vision is Learning for All, and it is the goal of staff and stakeholders to provide a comprehensive educational experience that meets the needs of every child. To that end, Blue Ridge School faculty are highly qualified, and approximately 50% of those eligible are also Nationally Board Certified.

Academic growth is supported by the implementation of research-based programs and practices designed to meet the diverse needs of our student population. Core instruction is aligned with the NC Standards and delivered through research-based instructional strategies, while problem-solving teams work collaboratively to plan for individual and small group needs, including social and emotional wellbeing. Our addition of an Instruction Coach who works closely with classroom teachers to offer professional development support and facilitate data-informed decision-making has helped to increase teacher capacity and student outcomes.

In addition to a rigorous academic program, Blue Ridge School offers several enrichment opportunities for all students. We recognize the importance of physical activity in the healthy development of all children, so all students engage in at least 30 minutes of structured Physical Education each day. In addition to PE, students have access to recess and other intentional “brain breaks” to support active engagement in learning. All students also participate in music, art and computers as regular parts of their academic experience, and they can elect to participate in other activities like Battle of the Books, Lego Robotics, Drama and JAM. Additionally, sixth grade students have an opportunity to participate in middle school sports that include soccer, volleyball, basketball and baseball.

Blue Ridge also acknowledges that students bring unique and exceptional gifts to the table, and programs are in place to support these students as well. Through our English Learners program, we support the development of bilingual, or multilingual, learners and celebrate the gift of being able to communicate in more than one language. We strive to create an inclusive environment that celebrates these strengths and capitalizes on student diversity. We also provide support for academically and/or intellectually gifted students through our AIG/IG programming. Through inclusion-based programs, we respond to individual needs within the context of the general curriculum and in small groups in order to create challenging opportunities throughout academic courses. Collaboration among faculty supports effective implementation of practices.

In line with the changes in NC, we moved to online assessments for the 2018-19 school year. While students demonstrated inconsistent proficiency with online testing, we have provided intentional supports to students to minimize the impact of online testing on students being able to demonstrate grade level proficiency and growth. While the 2020-21 school year will pose challenges for all districts, we are confident that our students are prepared for the challenges ahead, and we look forward to continued growth throughout the spring and the year to come.

The proverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child" is certainly at the core of all we do here at Blue Ridge School. Through a concerted effort by all stakeholders, students are growing as learners and active members of their school community and are receiving a foundation of experiences that will benefit our school and our community in the years to come!

Blue Ridge Early College is a unique school with excellent students and staff. BREC is a traditional high school with an additional optional layer of college opportunities. Students have the opportunity to graduate with one or a combination of, a traditional high school diploma, a certificate and/or an Associate degree. Students have the flexibility of taking Southwestern Community College courses while at Blue Ridge Early College to complete an Associate degree, or they may take SCC courses to obtain a workforce certificate, all while completing high school courses for a high school diploma. Currently, there are about 50% of our 9th–13th year students enrolled in SCC classes. The 2014-2015 senior class earned a combined 490 credit hours of college course work, resulting in our students earning an average of 20 hours of college credit by their senior year. BREC previously had 7 students during the 2014-2015 school year working in their 13th year, earning a combined 351 college credit hours resulting in an average of 50 credit hours per student. Faculty members participate in small-group collaborative planning and learning communities to provide opportunities such as small group tutoring, interdisciplinary activities and technology based learning. BREC provides a small, collaborative atmosphere for learning in a close knit community.

Blue Ridge Early College also provides opportunities for students to participate in academic and service clubs throughout the school year. Students participate in monthly advisory group meetings that focus on student needs. BREC students also participate in clubs that incorporate real world experiences and opportunities. Students in Beta Club must maintain a 3.65 GPA with 15 members actively participating. For middle school students, a Jr. Beta Club is also provided, requiring students to earn an A average to be accepted, and maintain a B average throughout middle school. Interact Club, a service club with 20 active members, is also provided as an opportunity that encourages community outreach by requiring students to complete at least 10 service hours each school year. BREC also provides a Student Government Association. Currently, this active group is composed of elected officers and representatives at each high school grade level. The SGA organizes events and fundraisers throughout the school year.

During the 2014-2015 school year, Blue Ridge Early College graduates earned over $60,000 in scholarship money, with over $30,000 coming from local scholarships. Blue Ridge Early College continues to maintain a high graduation rate with greater than 95% of students graduating.

Cullowhee Valley School is a K-8 rural school located in Jackson County a mile from Western Carolina University. We believe that every child has unique qualities that make him or her an important part of a bigger story. Therefore, our mission is to provide a learning environment that celebrates and supports the individual, grows an awareness of connections between self and others, and provides skills that open and expand visions of future opportunities.

The climate of the school is warm and friendly, and Positive Behavior Support Systems are used to develop social skills in students. We have an active PTA and encourage volunteering by both parents and WCU faculty and students. We provide opportunities for parents and community members to participate in school activities, including a Fall Festival, Family Curriculum Night, Talent Show, and Musical Performances.

Our proximity to the university allows many opportunities for collaboration with WCU faculty, some of which have created afterschool programs of Reading Camp for first graders and a Language Experience Acquisition Program (LEAP)for students learning English as a Second Language.

We work to build enthusiasm for reading through a vibrant media program, which has included author visits, Battle of the Books teams, monthly games, and reading incentives. Each year Cullowhee Valley holds a Reading Fair based on a theme such as biographies, fairy tales, or mountain culture. 

Cullowhee Valley has made commitments to improve student health and to improve science education through STEM activities. Through a collaboration with the WCU Nutrition Department, students in grades K through 5 participate in monthly taste tests of local produce and take part in our "Get in the Action Day," which engages them in physical activity and learning opportunities targeted to each grade level.  There are Math, Robotics, and Stream Watch Clubs.

Cullowhee Valley’s middle school Career Technology Education program focuses on STEM activities, Biotechnology, and career exploration. We have three 3-D printers that are available to teachers and students. A school-wide science fair is held each year.

Cullowhee Valley faculty and staff believe that every student has something to contribute and strive to provide opportunities for them to develop leadership skills. Students are involved in a variety of service projects, including SAND, recycling, grounds clean-up, Hoops for Heart, Breakfast Buddies, Safety Patrol, and Jump Rope for Heart. Middle school students can choose to serve as peer helpers to support the learning of younger children. Students can participate in Dulcimer Club, Chorus, Art Competitions, Fifth Grade Honor Choir, State Choir, and Junior Appalachian Musicians, made possible through community grants.

Our commitment to nurturing the whole child through relationships and experiences is evidenced by our low numbers of discipline referrals, the positive interactions throughout the school, and the learning opportunities students engage in daily.

FAIRVIEW SCHOOL

251 Big Orange Way
Sylva, North Carolina 28779
Telephone: (828) 586-2819
FAX: (828) 586-3462

Fairview School is a fantastic place to learn, work, and play. Our teachers are all certified and highly qualified to teach students. We have 16 Nationally Board Certified teachers on our staff of 52 certified teachers.

Fairview School offers several extra-curricular activities for our students in addition to the excellent instruction based on the North Carolina curriculum provided by our teachers. Fairview School has an excellent physical education program with two highly qualified instructors. We offer students the opportunities to play soccer, volleyball, basketball, football, wrestling, basketball, and track as members of 7th and 8th grade teams. We have excellent student athletes who represent our school very well.

Fairview School has an excellent music and art program for all of our Kindergarten through 8th grade students. Our students have excellent music instruction provided by certified staff by participating in scheduled music classes, band, and chorus. Our art program is based on the North Carolina curriculum and includes many opportunities for students to learn, develop, and create different styles and types of art.

Fairview School is extremely proud of our Science Olympiad team involving members from 6th through 8th grades who placed 2nd at state competition during the 2014 competition. The Science Olympiad team also competed in the state competition during the 2015 competition.

Last year was the first year for our Fairview Lego Robotics teams to compete. They did so well that they competed at the state level in 2014 and won several events. The Fairview Lego Robotics teams also qualified to compete at the state level competition this year. In addition to the Fairview Lego Robotics teams, we also offer students the opportunity to be involved in a regular Lego Club. The Lego Club had a theme each month and meets to build Lego creations. The Lego Club is open to all students in 3rd through 8th grades.

Fairview School has a very supportive Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The Fairview PTA Board meets monthly to discuss projects for our school. They have helped provide many instructional tools for our school. They have helped to purchase laptops, an ActivBoard, electronic keyboards for music, art supplies, playground equipment, and a variety of other supplies. They also communicate with parents through a website and monthly newsletter that is sent home by students. We value the support and encouragement from our fabulous Fairview PTA.

Welcome to the Jackson Community School

Engaging, Enhancing, and Enriching

Our school provides a unique, individualized school experience for our students. We help empower our students to make steps to be successful both in and out of school. We assist students in removing barriers that may have been preventing their success. We help students bridge a difficult time and transition back to their home schools. We also have students who earn their high school diploma.

At Jackson Community School, we have day treatment support for our K-8 students from Jackson Psychological Services to improve individual student academic growth and help meet individual social, emotional and psychological needs.

We are able to provide outside support through our partner, HIGHTS (Helping Inspire Gifts of Hope, Trust, and Service), a non-profit organization that provides students with after-school community service and therapeutic adventures. HIGHTS also provides us with the Inside-Out Program, which partners with other community agencies to provide meaningful service-based opportunities for at-risk youth to reduce suspension days.

At Jackson Community School, we also have partnerships with community and government agencies, such as Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Social Services, Mountain Projects, Youth Villages, Meridian, Barium Springs and various other support agencies through bi-weekly meetings on our campus.

We welcome parents and guardians, as we all help our students to grow into productive members of society.

Jackson County Early College

404 College Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
Phone: (828) 354-0343

To Parents/Guardians of Jackson County Early College High School students:

Jackson County Early College is an innovative, collaborative high school that enables students to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree or college credential in five years. JCEC offers a mature learning environment where students delve into rigorous honors level curriculum with project-based learning, seminar style discussions, group work and cross-curricular projects.  

Small class size gives JCEC the ability to personalize academic planning to meet student goals, help students develop leadership potential and prepare for their futures. Developing supportive relationships with peers, staff and instructors, forming community connections during service learning opportunities, and finding ways to help students see the relevance of choices today in relationship to their future life goals are cornerstones of JCEC’s philosophy. Regardless of the changing external environment of education, the four principles guiding all decisions, planning and curriculum design at JCEC are education, leadership, service and community. JCEC strongly believes that we are building the community leaders of tomorrow. 

As part of our partnership with Southwestern Community College, JCEC students have access to a college campus rich with resources. Students can take advantage of the many computer labs, the community college library system, specialized program equipment, and rich academic supports including the Learning Assistance Center and online, group and individual tutoring. Developing skills that will set them apart from their peers, JCEC students learn early to balance their busy workload, manage their time according to their unique high school and college schedules and develop self-advocacy skills and the resourcefulness to be successful in their next steps. 

Most Early College students work towards an Associate in Arts degree or Associate in Science degree in College Transfer. After completing this degree, students are able to transfer credits from SCC to any of the 16 North Carolina public universities, meeting all general education requirements. Students who are interested in certificates, diplomas and Associate of Applied Science degrees graduate from Jackson County Early College High School with a college credential that will make them more marketable directly after graduation. 

Through powerful teaching and learning, meaningful relationships between students and teachers, and a culture of collaboration and professionalism among teachers and school leaders, Jackson County Early College High School is preparing students for the demands of college and career – and helping to create the workforce of tomorrow, today.  

Our school improvement process is reflective of a continuous improvement model and involves input from both teachers and students. Therefore, we are continually collecting and analyzing data to address any area where improvement is needed. Through powerful teaching and learning combined with purposeful design, our school provides innovative instructional approaches and strategies to meet the needs of all learners at JCEC with the intent to ensure all students are ready for college, careers, and life. 

Learning and Leading Together
Every Child Every Day

Scotts Creek School is proud to offer inclusive incentives and support programs that promote student achievement and success. A variety of course offerings are available to students: Enrichment classes, such as Yearbook, Newspaper, Band, Leadership, Lego Robotics, etc., are provided for Middle School students grades six, seven, and eight. Physical Education, Media, Art, and Music classes are available for all students, Kindergarten through grade Eight.

A full range of sports teams are available for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Student Council and Peer Mediators work with their peers to incorporate desired programs, behaviors, and student goals to help make Scotts Creek School a great place to learn.  Tutoring programs give additional assistance to students as needed, and afterschool care is provided on-site by Southwestern Child Development.

As a Leader in Me School, Scotts Creek provides comprehensive opportunities to develop student leadership. Our teachers and students work to apply the “Seven Habits for Healthy Kids” in all areas of their daily school activities.  Students set Wildly Important Goals, both personally and academically, to assist with their leadership development.  

Our ultimate goal as a school is for our students to become strong leaders in both local and global settings. Parent and community partnerships are also an important part of Scotts Creek. The PTA and parent volunteer programs actively support student learning goals.  Annual events, such as Fall Festival, Book Fairs, Curriculum Fair, drama presentations, and sporting competitions – all include community members.  Partnerships with Western Carolina University, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Health Department, Community Table, local businesses, clubs, and religious organizations all strengthen the partnership between the school and community. It is our goal to provide a positive, comprehensive, educational experience for all of our students.

Scotts Creek School’s highly qualified faculty and staff are committed to strengthening the instruction of the Essential Standards and preparing students to become “College and Career Ready.” Thank you for your continued support. We are very pleased with the overall academic progress that our students have demonstrated in recent years, and we continue to work hard to provide academic rigor and opportunities for overall student success.   

Dear Parents:

The North Carolina School Report Card provides important information about our school regarding the academics from the previous school year. Our school community stands behind its mission to Inspire Dreams and Promote Excellence. We are dedicated to creating an atmosphere of learning that supports the whole child and the community of those who are invested in their development. The passion our teachers have for student success is evident as we worked diligently to meet the state’s expectations for achievement and growth. There is nothing more important to our school community than ensuring that your student is ready for the next step in their academic career.

Our teachers, through Professional Learning Communities, collaborate and analyze student data in order to determine student need and to tailor their instruction to the individual student. On a daily basis rigorous instruction is provided to our students through researched-based programs, such as Wilson Fundations®, The Daily 5™, Investigations and Connected Mathematics ®, as well as, providing guided reading and math centers for exploration. Our staff also works to support the students by addressing any academic or behavioral needs through Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports and through NC DPI’s Multi-Tiered System of Support.  We provide targeted intervention and enrichment time to meet student needs that includes access to tutors, access to specialists in Reading and Math, and specific intervention time based upon student need.

In addition to our core academic subjects, our students participate in music, art, physical education, media and technology exploration, and clubs. We continue to offer extracurricular opportunities and clubs for our students, such as athletic teams, the National Beta Club, America’s Battle of the Books, New Century Scholars, and STEM-E clubs for elementary and middle school students. The Balsam Mountain Preserve, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Oconaluftee Indian Village, help support instruction through extension opportunities. With a multi-year grant for Indian Education, our Cherokee Culture Program provides a variety of activities that serve to increase academic achievement and the knowledge of cultural identity and awareness. 

Our students participate in various service projects that raise awareness for local and global issues. Our partnership with Communities in Schools assists with additional needs, such as attendance, and volunteer support. We have revitalized our NC Pre-K Program and the Afterschool program for Grades K-5. Please join us in closely following your student’s academic progress and work with his or her teacher(s) to help ensure they stay on track academically. Working together as a team, we can improve not only how well our students are performing individually, but how our school is performing as a whole. 

I look forward to working with you to make sure your student is on track for success. It is important to remember that one single score or grade does not tell the full potential and growth of a student, nor does it give the total picture about our performance and the opportunities our school provides. 

With the mindset that all children can be successful, we look for ways to strengthen the student’s natural interests and to support them in areas that are still in the process of developing. They are individuals with unique interests and who make our local and global community a better place to live!

Welcome, and thank you! Thanks to the unwavering support of our parents and community, Smoky Mountain High School students and staff continue to succeed and thrive.

For five years in a row, SMHS has earned a B on the North Carolina State Report Card, with the numerical score increasing each year. In 2019, we were 10th among 409 traditional North Carolina high schools on the EVAAS School Growth Index, and we exceeded End-of-Course (EOC) growth for the fifth year in a row. This result represents a 57 percent increase in academic growth in six years, putting the school in the top three percent in academic growth in North Carolina.

It is not just one thing, but all things that have made this possible. Our collaborative and inclusive teaching staff; the most respectful, kind, and hardworking students in the world; and you, our wonderfully supportive and generous parents and community. We simply could not do it without you.

This past year has been an incredibly difficult adjustment for everyone to make, but with all of us working hard together, we hope to reach new success goals and continue providing a truly quality education and supportive school culture where all of our students can thrive.

Thank you for everything,

Mrs. Evelyn Graning
Principal, Smoky Mountain High School