Mitchell County Schools

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

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.

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 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!

This has been a difficult week and not what we expected in terms of weather and ice. We also know that more winter weather is predicted to begin tomorrow and continue throughout the weekend, causing us to potentially miss some days next week. Tomorrow, Friday, January 30 will be a Remote Learning Day for students. We realize that our K-8 students do not have their devices at home for remote learning. Therefore, we will have device pick-up today at our schools from 1:00-5:00pm. Please stay in your car, pull to the front of the school, and someone will bring your child’s device to you. Greenlee parents, please use the bus parking area (first driveway) to enter the school for pick up. Mitchell High School students should have their devices, so they will not need to pick-up. We also realize that some of you may not be able to pick-up devices today. If you are unable to pick up your child’s device, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher today. We will deliver devices to those unable to pick them up between 8:00am-2:00pm tomorrow, if it is safe to do so. Devices will not be left in mailboxes or outside. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Mitchell County Schools will be closed for students tomorrow, Thursday, January 29. This will be an optional workday for staff. There will be no remote learning for students tomorrow, except for Mayland Early College High School students. We know there are varying weather conditions across our county. Our transportation team has been checking roads today and we still have over 20 roads that cannot be safely run because of ice. We still have staff members who cannot get out of their driveways and roads. While we would love to get our students back to school and know there are some who could attend without any weather-related issues, the law requires us to provide equitable instruction for all students. Therefore, we cannot run a combination of remote and in-person learning on the same day. We are already watching the potential for more winter weather at the end of this week and encourage you to be prepared as well. We want students back in school as much as you do and are ready for them to return when it is safe to do so.

Mitchell County Schools will be closed for students tomorrow, Wednesday January 28th. This will be a Schedule 2 Workday for staff. Staff, please use caution when entering the buildings. Our maintenance team and custodians have done a great job clearing the parking areas and sidewalks, but there are still some icy areas.

Mitchell County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27th. This will be a No Day for 10 month staff. It will be a Schedule 2 Workday for 11/12 month staff.

Mitchell County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26. This will be a No Day for staff. 11/12 month staff, please contact your supervisor for assignment. No staff should be on school property without permission from your supervisor, as our maintenance staff will be spreading salt and working on the drives around the schools.

If the winter storm continues as projected, Mitchell County Schools will have a "No Day" on Monday, January 26. There will be no school for students or staff. Eleven and twelve month employees, please work with your supervisor about your work plan for Monday. We realize that power outages are predicted with the storm and wanted to communicate our plan early. Please be prepared, check on your neighbors, and stay safe!

📱 We encourage you to download the Mitchell Ready app from the App Store to your phone for weather and emergency updates from Mitchell County government

Mitchell County Schools will be on a one hour delay today, Thursday, January 22. We did have some precipitation overnight, cause some black ice in areas this morning. This will allow DOT to address these areas before buses run. Staff will report at normal time and buildings will open for drop off at normal time. Please use caution as you travel this morning. Areas of black ice we are aware of at this time: Bridge at Tom's creek, Bridges on Pigeon Roost 19 side of Tempie Mtn Cane Creek

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

We are proud of our band students!

Mitchell County Schools will be on a 2 hour delay tomorrow, Friday, January 16th. Staff may report 30 minutes later than normal time. Buildings will open for students 30 minutes later than normal time.

Mitchell County Schools will be closed for students tomorrow, Thursday January 15th. It will be a Schedule 2 Workday for staff. We are under a Winter Weather Advisory with varying amounts of snow predicted depending on elevation as well as sub zero windchills. Mayland Early College will have a Remote Learning Day. Students should follow the instructions given to them by their teachers.