Mountain Youth School (North Carolina)
Encyclopedia
Mountain Youth School is one of a very small group of alternative school
s set up by the state of North Carolina
for students that would benefit in an alternative classroom setting. It is located in Murphy
, North Carolina
and serves grades 6-12. It is the only alternative school operated by the Cherokee School District
. As of 2007 it had an active enrollment of 43 students and a full time teaching staff of 8 teachers giving an average of 5 students per teacher.
set forth an allocation of money to establish the Mountain Youth Center. The name was changed in the 2004-2005 school year to Mountain Youth School.
Alternative school
Alternative school is the name used in some parts of the world to describe an institution which provides part of alternative education. It is an educational establishment with a curriculum and methods that are nontraditional...
s set up by the state of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
for students that would benefit in an alternative classroom setting. It is located in Murphy
Murphy, North Carolina
-Household Income:The median income for a household in the town was $24,952, and the median income for a family was $35,234. Males had a median income of $30,395 versus $16,908 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,926...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and serves grades 6-12. It is the only alternative school operated by the Cherokee School District
Cherokee County (North Carolina) School District
The Cherokee County School District manages the 13 schools in Cherokee County, NC, USA with an enrollment of 3,820 students and a 12.7 student to teacher ratio.The School Superintendent is Dr...
. As of 2007 it had an active enrollment of 43 students and a full time teaching staff of 8 teachers giving an average of 5 students per teacher.
History
In the summer of 1997, the North Carolina General AssemblyNorth Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
set forth an allocation of money to establish the Mountain Youth Center. The name was changed in the 2004-2005 school year to Mountain Youth School.
School Improvement Plan
In 2005, Bill Gaither and several of the staff members set out an improvement plan to address the particular issues plaguing the school:- Reduction in drop-out rate.
- Faculty and staff need continuing staff development related to alternative settings.
- Reduction in absenteeism.
- Accountability standards are difficult to meet for many students.
- Additional metal building for construction shop and additional classroom space.
- Additional certified staff or full-time staff members to expand curriculum.
Demographics
- 83.7% White - Non-Hispanic
- 4.7% Black - Non-Hispanic
- 2.3% Hispanic
- 9.3% Native American or Alaskan
- 0.0% Asian or Pacific Islander