My niece was bullied from elementary school to middle school. Mr Putnam was the Principal at Clyde…read moreElementary at the time. In middle school it was brought to his attention and the Principal of canton middle and Mr Putnam the super intendent more than once. NOTHING EVER GOT DONE. It was so bad my niece wrote a letter about suicide!!! Canton middle is horrible. My niece couldn't take it anymore and just quit because their sorry a$$e$ done NOTHING!!!! Something needs done with the bullying at these schools. They don't just need talked to they need to have serious consequences for them and their parents if after first time talking to parent doesn't work.

Wow. To be able to review a school district makes me just plain giddy with power. This review will…read morebe edited as time marches on. The easy stuff: For a time, the bussing contact's home phone was listed as opposed to his office line. Every few years I would call with a question, hoping that his ______ wife would not answer. She would. The last time I talked to her, I told her that her husband should correct his listing. Free breakfast is offered, as is reduced or free lunch. Free clothes are offered through "Clothes to Kids". Most educators are terrific. There are a few exceptions. The district also has a Pre-K program that is outstanding and free to eligible students (eligibility is determined per screening). It is presently limited to four locations. Your kid has to be four years old. Developmentally delayed children are accepted. Dismissal is at 3 p.m. Bussing is available. Twenty-four paid slots are, too, but are expensive. My daughter loved it, and she benefited from the program immensely. My older daughter is autistic. The middle school years are especially hard, with hormonal males screaming in you face and hormonal females at your lunch table who are suddenly "allergic" to peanut butter. This past year, my daughter found it extremely difficult. I contacted EC* out of desperation, and they got her a peaceful lunch location. This district has a show showcasing students' art every spring. You can vote on the pieces of art that you like best in the high school division. I always vote for the overlooked photography and mildly dark stuff. The tough stuff: This school district did not say one word about the "Girls on the Run" Fall 2016 program that my daughter attended. I contacted the public affairs division through the district's website to tell them that the girls would love to see some website recognition for all their hard work. Never got a reply nor props. I know that a few schools in the district were involved with "GOTR". The teachers that coached our kids worked hard. Our girls gained confidence and wisdom. They deserved the honor of being news. Empowerment trumps owl pellets, peeps. Halloween does not exist in schools here. The word "Halloween" is replaced by the word "Fall". The positive psychological power of dressing up and becoming someone else for a bit is eschewed due to uneducated fear. Chill. Capes make you strong; not demonic. The autism services in this district are lacking due to rurality. Even before we moved here due to difficult circumstances I knew it would be, well, difficult. My daughter's NJ EI** rep contacted Haywood Co.'s EI. NJ's EI had failed to pick up on my daughter's autism or speech impediment (thanks, guys), and so Haywood Co. told us that she could have a screening, but not to expect services. They concluded that my daughter could not get autism services (thanks, guys). It wasn't until two years later and when I finally had had enough that my daughter got diagnosed with autism though Mission Hospital (thanks, guys.) However, when we first arrived in Waynesville, my daughter was eligible for speech services and was diagnosed with a speech impediment. (I am providing this info as there is no distinct boundary between the EI program and this district.) Some U.S. counties require all teachers to undergo training in dealing with autistic kids. I am not sure if Haywood Co. does. The EC department here has at times feigned innocence or passed the buck when I questioned or asked for autism services, excepting the above lunch action. Speaking of speech, my daughter's speech therapist in Pre-K showed up whenever she felt like it. When I spoke with an EC contact about this, she made excuses for her ("She just had a baby...") Ditto for standard therapy- my kid's therapist moved on, and the new one failed to appear until I complained. Precious therapy was lost- the earlier it is applied, the better. Plus, it is illegal. All our other therapists have been super. Certain employees of this district ignore adjacent bullying and may even join in (name of employee withheld due to fear of retaliation). Lastly, separation of church and state is murky in this district. A federal government rep slipped in "Jesus Christ" during an invocation (!) at an event that combined a public school and a county service. This is against the law. If the regional, predominating religion can be connected to outside events on flyers passed out at schools, the PTA, vaccine exemptions (!!), or even mascara, then it will happen in this district. I have no qualms about my daughters' education. They are being challenged. They are talking about bird symbolism in novels, bone marrow, Rosa Parks, and even hobbits. Haywood Co.'s public schools are great in most aspects, but should redefine others. Give them a chance, even a second one. Uncommon thinkers can be found in Haywood Co. *Exceptional Children **Early Intervention Tips: Contact with problems via email. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

I am pleased to add this school to Yelp. JVE is a Title I school, which means that it receives…read moregrants in order to provide a great education for kids from all walks of life so that they meet "challenging state academic standards"*. Which means that when my daughter, Ronni, was struggling with reading, she got the extra help, and she is now reading above her expected reading level. Plus, in 2013, JVE received the honor of being named a "National Title I Distinguished School". Which means that they did what they set out to do- got kids the education that they needed. Which means that they were one of the schools in the top one percent- yes, one percent- in the nation to do so. JVE teachers do not mess around. So, education is great in general at this school. The Pre-K is super. Those rugrats can get bussed if you ask, and they get dismissed at three p.m. Ronni loved it. Ditto for Kindergarten and on up. Kids are challenged and become math freaks and history buffs. Ronni gives me daily math quizzes. She has been doing small science experiments that create huge messes. Yep, she's trucking! This school has free breakfast, and a reduced or free lunch if you qualify. They have services for "Exceptional Children" (autism, visual and hearing problems, emotional or intellectual disabilities, speech problems, and traumatic brain injuries). They got ELL ("English Language Learners"), which is big in my book. (My dad came to the United States speaking not one word of English. He does now, and became an electrical engineer along the way.) AIG ("Academically or Intellectually Gifted) is offered, too. And after-school care and summer camp to boot. They do come attached with a reasonable price tag, but, as a parent, you can work harder or play harder when your kids are still at school. Sometimes special math, science, and reading nights are held in the evenings. Musicals every year. Ronni has stopped lip syncing and has graduated to almost-fainting at the musicals. In third grade, the kids start playing recorders. Art, and I am proud to say that Ronni's art has been shown in the county art show for the past several years. P.E. is much loved, errant basketballs and all. Guidance classes take place, as well as book swaps. And don't forget library! I always catch Ronni reading her library books. There is an on-site therapist, which is excellent, and a school psychologist. Every year, the fifth graders go to Washington D.C. They come back more mature and exuberant for even more learning. JVE's principal is simply amazing. Our kids's education is her passion, and she does a fine job with our future. Most of the teachers are terrific. You can reach out to them, and they help. When I thought that Ronni had a learning disability, they got right on the investigation. When Ronni had an illness that resulted in a lot of missed school days, they understood, and made sure that she reached milestones at a crucial time in her schooling. Reported bullying is dealt with swiftly and justly. I have to hold back sadness and anger when I think about what some kids- what my kids- have to go through and went through. It is reality, but one that I will always try to effect with wisdom, humor, and slipped slang. Like: I am happy that some bullies are out of my kids' lives and are on on the road to juvie. ("Juvie" in that statement is purposeful slang.) Yeah, some teachers are tough. Some can mostly be wonderful, but have an irrational moment from time to time. Some don't get high-functioning autism and find it hard to connect with kids like that. Some teachers forge across that chasm, and try to make things easier. I am glad that the teacher that made my daughter sit on the floor is gone. Some of these aforementioned facts are not abnormal or isolated. They happen in public schools across the country. You want a kid who knows that Abraham Lincoln had a tough childhood? Or one that knows the "new math" that leaves my mind reeling? Then put 'em in JVE. They will come out with so much knowledge that you will feel, like, well, not smarter than a fifth grader. If you need tips on dealing with autism in schools (e.g. how to communicate with teachers, how to make a communication booklet, IEP**s) or requesting learning disabilities services, just message me. *Quoted from the U.S. Department of Education. **Individualized Education Program

LOVE THIS SCHOOL!! The teachers are invested in the kids, and the administration actually…read moreencourages the staff to see the students as individuals and not test scores. My kids have never looked forward to going to school so much. Plus, they get to go on the most amazing field trips. I feel so blessed with the opportunities my kids get here that they wouldn't have at another school.

We expected a good school when our kid started Kindergarten, but instead got a great school! Our…read morekid loves it here - the teachers and staff are phenomenal.

New Center Schools is an excellent school in a great neighborhood. We own Halle's Kitchen across…read morethe street and we see great teachers, kids and parents all the time. Very strong community oriented school and neighborhood. Thinking of moving to the area? We moved to the area in 2014 and we love it!

Fantastic magnet school focusing on engaged and experiential learning. Amazing community garden…read morewith chickens. Great teachers, involved parents, and diversity

Oakley Elementary School is a fantastic school with marvelous teachers, students and staff members…read more They strive to assist their students excel and become outstanding members of the community.

I am not sure exactly how I checked in here... I have only…read morebeen here hundreds of times. They get FIVE stars. I do a lot of support for this school.

Murphy Elementary definitely puts their students first. This school has a caring staff that go…read moreabove and beyond to educate their students. Thank you.