LOCAL EDUCATION

The High Country is fortunate to have a wide array of learning institutions, from strong public school systems in each county to a selection of higher learning centers and universities.

KINDERGARTEN-12: Ashe County - Avery County - Watauga County
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES: Appalachian State University - Lees-McRae College
COMMUNITY COLLEGES: Caldwell CC&TI - Mayland CC - Wilkes CC

ASHE COUNTY
Public Schools
(All 336 Area Codes)

• Ashe County Board of Education.....246-7175
• Career Center..........246-2112
• Ashe County High School.....246-2400
• Ashe County Middle School.....384-3591
• Blue Ridge Elementary School.....384-4500
• Fleetwood Elementary School.....877-3387
• Mountain View Elementary School.....982-4200
• West Jefferson Elementary School.....246-3221
• Ashe County High School Alternative Program.......982-6117

AVERY COUNTY
Public Schools
(All 828 Area Codes)

• Avery County Board of Education ..... 733-6006
• Avery County High School ..... 733-0151
• Avery County Middle School ..... 733-0145
• Banner Elk Elementary School ..... 898-5575
• Beech Mtn. Elementary School .... .898-4343
• Crossnore Elementary School ..... 733-2145
• Elk Park Elementary School ..... 733-4744
• Minneapolis Elementary School ..... 733-2932
• Newland Elementary School ..... 733-4911
• Riverside Elementary School ..... 765-9414

• Elk Park Rainbow Christian Academy ..... 828-733-2925

WATAUGA COUNTY
Public Schools
(All 828 Area Codes)

• Watauga Co. Board of Education ..... 264-7190
• Watauga High School ..... 264-2407
• Center for Exceptional Children ........ 264-7700
• Bethel Elementary School ..... 297-2240
• Blowing Rock Elementary School ..... 295-3204
• Cove Creek Elementary School ..... 297-2781
• Green Valley Elementary School ..... 264-3606
• Hardin Park Elementary School ..... 264-8481
• Mabel Elementary School ..... 297-2512
• Parkway Elementary School ..... 264-3032
• Two Rivers Community School ..... 262-5411
• Valle Crucis Elementary School ..... 963-4712

Private Schools

• Appalachian Christian School ..... 828-264-4070
• Mountain Pathways Montessori School ..... 828-262-5787
• Montessori School of Boone ..... 828-262-0030

Appalachian State University

With over 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Appalachian State University is the largest educational institution in northwestern North Carolina.

Founded by the Dougherty brothers as the Watauga Academy in 1899, its original mission was to train teachers for the mountains. That role continues today, except teachers-to-be come from across the state and work in many settings. In addition, the College of Education is only one part of the Appalachian story.

In addition to the vast economic and social impact of the university's students, ASU adds a great deal to the community. There are dozens of cultural and sports events, Belk Library (which is open to the public), the Appalachian Collection (the best collection of regional materials in the area) and the Appalachian Cultural Museum (a starting point for understanding the region's history and culture).

The latest addition to the campus is the Convocation Center, scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2000. This large basketball arena, which will seat 10,000, is expected to attract many different cultural events to Boone.

Web Site: www.appstate.edu

Here are some key phone numbers (all are 828 area code):

• Main Switchboard (this is the number to remember, as the operators there will direct to any department, faculty or staff member) ..... 262-2000
• Student Locator Service ..... 262-3030
• Admissions ..... 262-2120
• The Appalachian (campus newspaper) ..... 262-6149
• Appalachian Collection ..... 262-4041
• Appalachian Cultural Museum ..... 262-3117
• An Appalachian Summer (ASU's annual seasonal festival of the arts) ..... 262-6084
• Belk Library ..... 262-2186
• Broyhill Inn and Conference Center ..... 262-2204
• Chancellor ..... 262-2040
• Farthing Auditorium ..... 262-4046
• Music Library ..... 262-2388
• Police ..... 262-2150
• Valborg Theatre Box Office ..... 262-3063

Lees-McRae College
Lees-McRae College is the only four-year college located in Avery County. It was founded in 1899 by Rev. Edgar Tufts, and now has 600 students and 50 faculty members.

Starting in Rev. Tufts' study, the college has grown to have a beautiful campus, with many historic stone buildings. The school became a two-year college in 1931, and a four-year institution in 1990. It is a private college, operated by the Presbyterian Church.

Known for liberal arts programs, Lees McRae features a talented theatrical department which produces award-winning plays throughout the year as well as for a special Summer Theatre series.

The college, by the way, was named for Mrs. S.P. Lees, a benefactor of the school, and Mrs. Elizabeth McRae, one of its first teachers.

Web Site: www.lmc.edu

Here are some key telephone numbers (all area code 828):

• All departments ...... 898-5241
• Residence Halls ...... 898-4685
• Admissions ........... 898-8723
• Athletic office ...... 898-8725
• Hayes Auditorium Box Office ....... 898-8709
• Carson Library ....... 898-8727
• FORUM ................ 898-8748
• President's Office ........ 898-8785
• Wily's Snack Bar ....... 898-8732

Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute serves students in Watauga and Caldwell counties. Founded on April 2, 1964, the two-year college has had it main campus in Hudson since 1967. The school serves as a focal point for both technical training and adult education in the region. It is an important resource for people who dropped out of school and want to complete their education and improve their job skills. Job training programs, such as operated by WAMY Community Action Inc. in Watauga, rely on CCC&TI to help their participants.

Web Site: www.caldwell.cc.nc.us/

Key phone numbers (all 828 area code):

• Watauga Campus ...... 297-2185
• ABLE Center ........ 297-5253
• Watauga Business Center ...... 264-5360

Mayland Community College
Mayland Community College serves students in three counties, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey. The name is taken from those three, their first letters forming "MAY."

The main campus is located on the Avery/Mitchell line, near the town of Spruce Pine.

The school started as Mayland Technical Institute and was approved by the General Assembly in 1971.

The school serves as a focal point for both technical training and adult education in the region. It is an important resource for people who dropped out of school and want to complete their education and improve their job skills. Job training programs, such as operated by the North Carolina Department of Labor in Avery and Mitchell, rely on Mayland to help their participants.

The institution has a 41-acre campus with five buildings, including a Vocational Solaronics Laboratory, Auto Body Repair and welding shop. In addition, Mayland operates two off-campus learning centers.

Web Site: www.mayland.cc.nc.us/

Here are some key numbers (all are area code 828):

• Main Campus .................. 765-7351
• Child Development Center ..... 765-1401
• Avery Learning Center ........ 733-5883
• Special Projects ............. 733-8877

Wilkes Community College
Wilkes Community College serves students in Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes counties.

The main campus is located near U.S. 421 and N.C. 268 West in Wilkesboro. The 112-acre campus is wooded and is known nationally as the site of the annual Merle Watson Festival.

The campus includes over 200,000 square feet of classrooms, laboratories, shops and offices. This makes it the largest of the three community colleges serving the High Country area.

Web Site: www.wilkes.cc.nc.us

Here are some key phone numbers (all are area code 336):

• Main Campus (Wilkesboro) ...... 246-8702
• Ashe Campus ................... 246-9034
• Alleghany Campus ............... 372-5061