We have had several questions about when our last day of school will be for the 2025-26 school year. While the school calendar may look like we are ending the school year on May 15, those “red” days in May on the calendar are inclement weather make-up days and will be changed to school days as we miss this winter. For example, being out of school today (January 15) moves the last day of school to May 18, 2026. EOG testing must occur during the last 10 school days and EOC testing must occur during the last 5 school days. Please keep this in mind as you schedule your summer plans.
MCS School Calendar
MCS School Calendar
Mitchell County Schools will be on a one hour delay tomorrow, Wednesday, February 25th. Buildings will open at the normal time for drop-off. Buses will run safe roads only.
Roads buses will not run:
Lower Hanging Rock
Mitchell County Schools will be Closed tomorrow, Tuesday,February 24th. This will be a remote day for students. Staff that have the ability to provide remote instruction from home may do so. All others may report on a Schedule 2 or take an annual leave day.
Mitchell County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, February 23rd. This will remote day for students. Staff that have the ability to provide remote instruction from home may do so. All others may report on a Schedule 2 or take an annual leave day.
Best Wishes to Erris, Bryson, and Tristan who are competing in Greensboro this weekend for an individual state wrestling championship! We are cheering for you!
Need some caffeine this Friday morning after you go through the drop-off line? Drive through the Senior Center and get your coffee while supporting the Mitchell High School Softball team!
Save the Date! Kindergarten Registration is April 2nd at Gouge Primary and Greenlee Primary. Your child must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2026. Questions? Please contact the school where your child will attend kindergarten.
Information about Pre-K Registration will be coming soon!
Today is National SRO Appreciation Day. Thank you to our SROs for what you do each day to keep our students, staff, and community safe.
Mountain Community Health Partnership (MCHP) is excited to offer school-based dental services to students in Mitchell County Schools for the upcoming year. We will come to your child’s school to provide dental screenings, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants. During the visit, your child will meet one of our Public Health Dental Hygienist(s) who will screen your child’s mouth, teeth, gums, and discuss ways to improve oral health. They will also recommend a follow-up appointment with either MCHP or your child’s regular dentist or if needed, they’ll provide a dental specialist referral.
Your child does not have to be an MCHP patient in order to receive these services. Your child may also receive these services even if they already have a dentist, and records may be shared as desired. The goal of the school-based dental clinic is to provide fast, convenient preventive dentistry without the child or parent losing time at school or work. These services may be billed to your child’s dental insurance provider (including Medicaid or NC Health Choice) or paid out of pocket with discounts available to qualifying households through our sliding fee program. Questions regarding insurance coverage or our sliding fee program may be directed to the Bakersville Dental Center. Please keep in mind, you may be responsible for charges incurred if no insurance is provided.
If you want your child to be a part of this program, please fill out the form in the link below. We are excited to offer these much-needed services. If you have any question, please call MCHP Bakersville Dental Center at (828) 537-5991 or stop by the office at 89 N. Mitchell Ave, Bakersville, NC 28705.
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=yP9A3MBufU-h2-EsMa4tl03K3gXaAgZJtv-h1qCYJvFUQU42MjQ4SkM2VFQ1U1JIQ1daMVhYQlE2Ni4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl
Your child does not have to be an MCHP patient in order to receive these services. Your child may also receive these services even if they already have a dentist, and records may be shared as desired. The goal of the school-based dental clinic is to provide fast, convenient preventive dentistry without the child or parent losing time at school or work. These services may be billed to your child’s dental insurance provider (including Medicaid or NC Health Choice) or paid out of pocket with discounts available to qualifying households through our sliding fee program. Questions regarding insurance coverage or our sliding fee program may be directed to the Bakersville Dental Center. Please keep in mind, you may be responsible for charges incurred if no insurance is provided.
If you want your child to be a part of this program, please fill out the form in the link below. We are excited to offer these much-needed services. If you have any question, please call MCHP Bakersville Dental Center at (828) 537-5991 or stop by the office at 89 N. Mitchell Ave, Bakersville, NC 28705.
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=yP9A3MBufU-h2-EsMa4tl03K3gXaAgZJtv-h1qCYJvFUQU42MjQ4SkM2VFQ1U1JIQ1daMVhYQlE2Ni4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl
Thank You, Bus Drivers!
Don't forget to send a Mitchell County Schools staff member a message of kindness and appreciation! We have been printing the messages we have received to deliver for Valentine's Day and Kindness Day and love the heartfelt messages that have been sent.
Use this link to send an appreciation message!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKJgAfwhijhzfuWz-1WEEUyQ5c-uJFBJQvcJ-q329Zj0fAvw/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Use this link to send an appreciation message!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKJgAfwhijhzfuWz-1WEEUyQ5c-uJFBJQvcJ-q329Zj0fAvw/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Use this link to send an appreciation message!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKJgAfwhijhzfuWz-1WEEUyQ5c-uJFBJQvcJ-q329Zj0fAvw/viewform?usp=publish-editor
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKJgAfwhijhzfuWz-1WEEUyQ5c-uJFBJQvcJ-q329Zj0fAvw/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Mitchell County Schools will begin early dismissal today at 1:00pm. Greenlee/Gouge will dismiss at 1:00pm, Mitchell High at 1:15, and Mitchell Elementary/Middle at 1:30. Parents may begin pickup at 1pm at all schools. We have precipitation moving in this afternoon and want to make sure we get everyone home safely.
Mitchell County Schools will be on a 2 hour delay tomorrow, Friday, February 6th. Buildings will open 1 hour later than normal time.
Mitchell County Schools will have a Remote Learning Day today, Thursday, February 5th. We had more precipitation overnight, resulting in several snow covered roads and black ice.
Mitchell County Schools will attempt a 2 hour delay tomorrow, Thursday, February 5th. Buildings will open 1 hour later than normal time. We are hopeful temperatures will remain above freezing overnight. If we have black ice or snow on the roads in the morning, we will make a decision, if needed, to switch to remote learning by 7:00am.
Buses will not run the following roads:
Lynn Gap Road
Deyton Road
Stewart Road
McHone Road
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
We are pretty excited to be mentioned in this press release from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Today!
North Carolina CTE Students Earn Record-Breaking 382,964 Industry Credentials in 2024-2025
Credential attainment reaches all-time high as students prepare for high-demand careers
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) students earned a record 382,964 industry-recognized credentials during the 2024-2025 academic year, the highest total in state history, according to a report released today by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
The state ranks second nationwide for the percentage of K-12 students participating in CTE, with 36.1% of all students enrolled in a CTE course. Only Nebraska ranks higher. The credential achievement represents a 59% attainment rate, meaning students earned nearly six out of every 10 credentials available to them through their CTE coursework.
"The record amount of credentials represents real opportunities for our students," said State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. "When a student earns an industry-recognized credential, they're not just completing a course, they are gaining a competitive advantage in the job market and building a foundation for long-term career success."
Since the 2020-2021 academic year, North Carolina has seen consistent growth in credential attainment, driven in part by increased funding from the NC General Assembly. In 2022-2023, funding reached $15.8 million, enabling public school units (PSUs) to offer credentialing opportunities to virtually all CTE students.
Key findings from the 2024-2025 report include:
80.61% of CTE concentrator (students who take 2-3 courses in a career pathway) graduates earned an industry-recognized credential in their pathway
Over 98% of CTE concentrators graduate on time
Students earned credentials across 292 unique industry certifications aligned to high-demand occupations
Statewide CTE Credential attainment increased 6.9% over the previous year
70,182 credentials earned by NC CTE students are recognized by the NC Workforce Credentials list as priority credentials valued by employers
The Northwest Region achieved the highest attainment rate at 73%
The Wake County Public School System led the state with 32,630 credentials earned
Top-performing districts by attainment rate included Transylvania County Schools (89%), Pender County Schools (88%) and Mitchell County Schools (87%)
Credentials are organized into three tiers based on academic rigor, employment value and industry demand. Tier 3 credentials—advanced certifications often required for employment—saw continued growth, with students earning credentials in fields ranging from welding and electrical trades to health sciences and information technology.
"Industry-recognized credentials give students a head start on their careers," said Trey Michael, NCDPI’s senior director for CTE. "Whether a student is pursuing nursing, cybersecurity, construction or culinary arts, these credentials validate their skills and open doors to good-paying jobs."
The report also highlights the connection between CTE credentials and workforce needs. NC CTE offers 56 of the approximately 182 credentials identified by the NC Workforce Credentials initiative as priority credentials that put earners on a path to sustainable-wage careers.
Career readiness credentials, which measure durable skills applicable across all careers, also showed growth. Students earned 6,390 career readiness credentials in 2024-2025, up from 5,932 the previous year.
The full Credential Attainment Report is available at NCDPI.
North Carolina CTE Students Earn Record-Breaking 382,964 Industry Credentials in 2024-2025
Credential attainment reaches all-time high as students prepare for high-demand careers
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) students earned a record 382,964 industry-recognized credentials during the 2024-2025 academic year, the highest total in state history, according to a report released today by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
The state ranks second nationwide for the percentage of K-12 students participating in CTE, with 36.1% of all students enrolled in a CTE course. Only Nebraska ranks higher. The credential achievement represents a 59% attainment rate, meaning students earned nearly six out of every 10 credentials available to them through their CTE coursework.
"The record amount of credentials represents real opportunities for our students," said State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. "When a student earns an industry-recognized credential, they're not just completing a course, they are gaining a competitive advantage in the job market and building a foundation for long-term career success."
Since the 2020-2021 academic year, North Carolina has seen consistent growth in credential attainment, driven in part by increased funding from the NC General Assembly. In 2022-2023, funding reached $15.8 million, enabling public school units (PSUs) to offer credentialing opportunities to virtually all CTE students.
Key findings from the 2024-2025 report include:
80.61% of CTE concentrator (students who take 2-3 courses in a career pathway) graduates earned an industry-recognized credential in their pathway
Over 98% of CTE concentrators graduate on time
Students earned credentials across 292 unique industry certifications aligned to high-demand occupations
Statewide CTE Credential attainment increased 6.9% over the previous year
70,182 credentials earned by NC CTE students are recognized by the NC Workforce Credentials list as priority credentials valued by employers
The Northwest Region achieved the highest attainment rate at 73%
The Wake County Public School System led the state with 32,630 credentials earned
Top-performing districts by attainment rate included Transylvania County Schools (89%), Pender County Schools (88%) and Mitchell County Schools (87%)
Credentials are organized into three tiers based on academic rigor, employment value and industry demand. Tier 3 credentials—advanced certifications often required for employment—saw continued growth, with students earning credentials in fields ranging from welding and electrical trades to health sciences and information technology.
"Industry-recognized credentials give students a head start on their careers," said Trey Michael, NCDPI’s senior director for CTE. "Whether a student is pursuing nursing, cybersecurity, construction or culinary arts, these credentials validate their skills and open doors to good-paying jobs."
The report also highlights the connection between CTE credentials and workforce needs. NC CTE offers 56 of the approximately 182 credentials identified by the NC Workforce Credentials initiative as priority credentials that put earners on a path to sustainable-wage careers.
Career readiness credentials, which measure durable skills applicable across all careers, also showed growth. Students earned 6,390 career readiness credentials in 2024-2025, up from 5,932 the previous year.
The full Credential Attainment Report is available at NCDPI.
Mitchell County Schools will have a Remote Learning Day tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4. Staff that have the capability to provide remote instruction from home may do so. Staff that cannot will need to report to their school or take an Annual Leave Day.
Currently, there are too many side roads and bus turn around spots with ice and snow. Hopefully the predicted snow tonight and tomorrow night will miss us and we can get back to face-to-face instruction soon.
Stay safe and warm!
Mitchell County Schools will have a Remote Learning Day tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3. Students, please follow the instructions given to you by your teachers. Staff that have the capability to provide remote instruction from home may do so. Staff that cannot will need to report to their school or take an Annual Leave Day. Please stay safe and stay warm!
Mitchell County Schools will have a No Day for students and staff tomorrow, Monday February 2. It will be a Schedule 2 Workday for 11/12 month staff. Because Zito is out regionally (with no timeline of restoration), MCS will be unable to provide remote instruction tomorrow. Stay safe and warm!
