McDowell County Schools is located in the foothills of beautiful Western North Carolina, about 30 miles east of Asheville.  McDowell County Schools consists of 13 schools (one high school, one early college, one alternative education center, two middle/junior high schools, eight elementary schools) and two pre-school sites.  The school system has approximately 6,500 students, nearly 1,000 employees, and a $40 million budget. McDowell County Schools focus on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Map of Schools.

Ten schools have a traditional school calendar with Eastfield Elementary having a year-round calendar. McDowell High School is on a block schedule with each student registering for 4 courses each semester. Eleven Advanced Placement courses are offered by McDowell High School. Several college-transfer classes are offered through McDowell Technical Community College.

There are two courses of study at McDowell High School: College/University Preparation and College Technical Preparation.

Motto
To Educate All Children...TEACH

Mission Statement
The mission of McDowell County Schools is to provide quality education in a safe and supportive environment where we respect students' individual and cultural differences, develop their talents in partnership with family and community, and ensure that they possess the life skills necessary for personal successes and civic responsibility.

Statements of Beliefs

1. We believe all children can learn and it is our responsibility to teach them well.

2. We believe a safe, supportive, and inviting school climate is essential for student learning.

3. We believe students learn best when expectations are high and they are held accountable for their academic performance and personal behavior.

4. We believe students learn best when the family, school, and community are partners sharing in the responsibilities of the learning process.

5. We believe students become good citizens when they have daily interaction with caring, competent, and positive models.

6. We believe it is our responsibility to provide a variety of instructional approaches to support students' learning styles and cultural differences.

    

   McDowell County Schools’Student Achievement
   · SAT Score Rank Higher Than The State Average
   · Schools of Excellence and Schools of Distinction
   · NAEP Scores
   · MCS Students average 2 million dollars per year in scholarship awards
   · 21st Century Scholarship Program
   · Programs Giving Targeted Support to At Risk Students Grades 6-12

    

   McDowell County Schools Parental Involvement
   · Before and After School Care
   · Evening Parent Conference Schedules
   · Family Resource Centers
   · Strong Volunteer Programs
   · ESL Parent Training Program

    

   McDowell County Schools Model Programs and Awards
   · Safe Schools
   · State Finalist for North Carolina Technical Preparation Program
   · Governor’s Entrepreneurial Awards for Alternative Programs
   · Outstanding School Media Centers
   · All Schools Accredited by SACS
   · State Champion Athletic Teams
   · State Champion Fine and Performing Arts Programs
   · West Marion Elementary Museum of National History Program
   · "Pay-As-You-Go" Building Fund

    

   Program Descriptions and Links

   Head Start
   Head Start, in a unique partnership with McDowell County Schools serves children from prebirth until kindergarten age. In 2001 they served 179 three and four year old students and 52 infants and toddlers in centers at Eastfield, Nebo and Old Fort as well as the Sugar Hill sites.
   McDowell County Schools Head Start was a pioneer in infant-toddler care and in 1998 became one of only 5 programs in North Carolina to be awarded an Early Head Start Program. They were one of 17 programs in the Southeastern U.S. to be recognized for providing an extensive base of services beyond what is required by Head Start. Three of the 5 Centers hold accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the remaining 2 are in the process of completing this. Only 5% of preschool programs nationwide hold this high standard of accreditation. A new center is under construction at Eastfield Elementary. The program was awarded a grant of $280,860 to complete the preschool classrooms.

   An additional 330 pre-school children attend programs in McDowell County Schools, including 191 in the McSMILES program. Funding is provided through grants from McDowell County Partnership for Children - Smart Start, Family Resource Centers, and Exceptional Children's program.

   Gifted Education
   Gifted students perform or show potential for performing at remarkable high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment. These students require differentiated educational services not ordinarily provided through regular instructional programs. Gifted service options for students K-12 include grouping, acceleration, enrichment, individualized programming, independent study and guidance. Instructional needs are met through the development and use of a Differentiated Education Plan written for each identified gifted student. Teachers work together to provide a challenging, motivating enviroment enabling the gifted child to reach highest potentials.

   School Resource Officers
   School Resource Officers are located at East McDowell Junior High through a partnership with the City of Marion, and at West McDowell Junior High and McDowell High through the McDowell County Sheriff's Department. The introduction of these uniformed officers into the schools also expand the DARE program and have resulted in a substantial reduction in discipline referrals and suspensions.

   School Safety Plans
   McDowell County Schools had one of the state's lowest rates of school incidents in 2001. Parent surveys completed in 2002 showed that an overwhelming majority of parents and students feel that the schools are safe and free of dangerous conditions. They also indicated that a majority feel comfortable in allowing children to ride the school bus and that their children feel safe at school. Each school has a School Safety Plan. All schools have worked together with community members and local law enforcement agencies to develop and practice Crisis Intervention Plans.

   School Nursing Program
   Through a partnership with the McDowell Hospital four full time nursing positions served over 6500 students in 2001. These nurses provide support for over 350 students with acute and chronic health conditions including more than 100 who carry and self-administer medications. They provide education, CPR and First Aid training and coordinate screenings for vision and scoliosis. School nurses have worked to expand dental services through the participation of eligible children in the "Tooth Bus" sponsored by the Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Center

   New Century Scholars
   The New Century Scholars Program is a collaborative effort among the McDowell County Public Schools, McDowell Technical Community College and partners from the McDowell County Community. The New Century Scholars Program target “high potential”students at the end of the sixth grade in public school and provides extra support to those students through their junior high and high school years.

   Students are nominated based on their potential for academic success, yearly promotion and leadership ability. Selected students must display effort in the classroom and have a positive attitude and desire for education, have good behavior and character and meet the school system’s attendance policy.

   Upon completion of high school and successful completion of the New Century Scholars Program, each student will be awarded a tuition scholarship for each of his/her years at McDowell Technical Community College.

   In addition to maintaining good grades and behavior, students are required to perform ten hours a year of volunteer service. This volunteer service to our community is a way that the New Century Scholar can give back the gift which he or she has been given.

   Scholars participate in initiative training as part of their scholarship requirements. Initiative days include problem solving activities and teambuilding exercises focusing on group work. Exercises may include building a structure out of pipes and connectors while working blindfolded, moving a ball using string and a ring, and balancing eight nails on one. These activities during the junior high school years help to increase group dynamics. In high school, high ropes and rock climbing courses challenge Scholars in a physical way, during which they learn about leadership, trust and risk taking.

   The LEAP Academy
   The LEAP Academy provides an accelerated, structured curriculum and instruction to create an environment where students can be promoted to high school in a shorter period of time than normally required. Students are referred to the LEAP Academy by their current junior high school. Prior to admission, parents and students are required to complete an application and meet with the Director.

   In order to be considered for the program, a student must meet the following four criteria:
   · Previously retained two or more times;
   · Older than average for the current grade level;
   · At high risk for dropping out of school;
   · Not have any serious behavior problems.

   The program uses academic-based opportunities to enhance the student’s intellectual growth, civic responsibility and career exploration. The staff focuses their instruction on meeting the requirements for high school graduation and the transition from junior high into the high school environment. Particular attention is given to the development of inherent skills and interests as the student determines a career. As part of the career focus, students are required to become involved in a service-learning project. These projects assist the students in better understanding themselves and their community.

   Attendance is a requirement. Missing one day of accelerated instruction will cause a student to be several days behind. Absences for sickness are excused only with a doctor’s note. Parents are contacted by phone each time a student is absent. Students are required to stay after school on Tuesdays to make up for each absence.

   Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Discipline problems interfere with the entire class’learning process. The Discipline Policy of McDowell County Schools will be strictly followed.

   Alternative Learning Center
   The Accelerated Learning Center (ALC) serves McDowell County Schools’students in grades 9 –12 who have dropped out of school or who have been identified as potential dropouts. There is no typical student at the ALC. These students have a wide variety of issues that put them at risk for dropping out of high school.

   The ALC offers an opportunity for students to move at an appropriate pace toward completion of their high school diploma. The flexible environment at the ALC takes into account the student’s personality, talents and learning style. This allows students, who are unsuccessful in a traditional learning environment, to be successful. Other advantages, such as, a small student population, a staff dedicated to high academic standards, and a strong technology component succeed in helping students stay in school and improve their academic performance. For those that qualify, special educational services are available.

   The ALC offers a wide variety of courses designed to allow the students to successfully complete high school and pass the North Carolina required End of Course tests. In addition to the core curriculum (English, Math Science, Social Studies), a number of unique electives, such as Appalachian Literature and Cultures and TV Production, enhance the student’s learning experience.

   Secondary students who have been suspended for one or more semesters are placed in the Alternative Classroom. These students are largely separated from the other classes at the ALC. Unlike the other students at the ALC, these students are not allowed to participate in the extracurricular activities, such as dances, at McDowell High School. The alternative class is designed to deny these students the privileges of the high school experience without denying them access to an education.

   Phoenix Academy
   In 2000, the Phoenix Academy program was founded with the help of a grant from the NC Governor Crime Commission through the NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. The Phoenix Academy program is the first of its kind in North Carolina. In the first year, 163 students were served, saving 1443 days of absences from school. In the second year, 636 students served, saving 2803 days of absences from school.

   The program serves McDowell County Schools’students who have been suspended from school on a short-term basis or a long-term basis. Students are recommended by their school to attend the Phoenix Academy program as an alternative to being absent from school.

   Long-term suspended students have been suspended from school for at least a semester and are currently in the 6th –8th grade. These students continue to receive instruction in the four core subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies and English). In addition to the core curriculum, long term students participate in the Meals on Wheels program once a week and visit Autumn Care, a nursing home provider, twice a week.

   Short-term suspended students have been suspended for less than 10 days and are currently in the 6th through 12th grade. These students receive their coursework from their regular classes. This allows students to keep pace with their peers and not be behind upon their return to their regular classroom. Adult tutors are available to assist the students with their studies.

   All students, regardless of length of suspension, participate in a health class. This class covers such topics as conflict resolution, positive social interactions, mental health issues, and substance abuse prevention.

   "Pay-As-You-Go" Building Fund
   In 1987, the McDowell County Board of Education and the McDowell County Board of Commissioners entered into a visionary agreement. Both Boards signed a joint agreement to establish and maintain a Local Capital Building Fund. This compact led to our "Pay-As-You-Go" building program. The money from this Local Capital Building Program, plus $3.2 million in State Critical Needs money and $10.8 million in State School Bond Funds enabled McDowell County to have over $32 million in school construction with no interest. This phase of our building program has seen the completion of several projects including the completion of Phase I and II at Pleasant Gardens Elementary School.

   The McDowell County Board of Education and the McDowell County Commissioners have again embarked on a joint venture to provide an additional 29,810 sq. ft. of space at Glenwood Elementary and a completely new 63,700 sq. ft. school for North Cove Elementary. Because of the current low interest rates all this can be accomplished with no increase in property taxes!

   With the completion of these projects, McDowell County should have school facilities which are among the finest in the state, and the result of a visionary building program.