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HENDERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE "CELEBRATING 30 YEARS TOGETHER"

Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) announces the “Celebrating 30 Years TOGETHER” campaign and logo today, as the district commemorates its 30th Anniversary of the merger that established today’s thriving HCPS family.

“Celebrating 30 Years TOGETHER” honors the collaborative work within HCPS that has propelled it to be one of North Carolina’s leading public school districts with innovative student opportunities, talented and dedicated staff, award-winning schools – and a proud community.

Current and former students, families, and staff are encouraged to participate in “Celebrating 30 Years TOGETHER” by visiting the 30th Anniversary website, https://30.hcpsnc.com, and sharing pictures and videos of their journeys through HCPS on social media with the hashtag #HCPS30YearsTogether or #HCPS30.

Although education in Henderson County dates back as far as 1797 to Mills River Academy’s one-room schoolhouse, the school district that currently educates more than 12,500 students in Western North Carolina was officially established in 1993 through the merger of Hendersonville City Schools and Henderson County Schools.

Since then, HCPS student enrollment has grown by 20%, becoming the largest employer in Henderson County. The district has multiplied and diversified its educational opportunities for students and broadened its impact on families through an expanded network of services and supports.

Over the years, HCPS students have benefitted from elevated programming and services, including the Spanish dual language immersion program at Bruce Drysdale Elementary, grade-level outdoor education and water safety programs, school-based health centers, robotics teams, robust work-based-learning opportunities and apprenticeships through local industry partnerships, universal no-cost meals during the school year, and “Meals on the Bus” mobile feeding sites in the summer.

Today, HCPS includes 23 schools, 11 of which have been built or renovated in the last 30 years. This includes the Innovative High School established in 2017 on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College, home to the Career Academy and Early College. Thirteen HCPS schools implement the Leader In Me whole-school student leadership model, including North Carolina’s first high school to earn the Lighthouse School designation by FranklinCovey Education.

With exceptionally high student graduation rates and nationally recognized percentages of teachers who are National Board Certified, HCPS has demonstrated a history of growing dedicated leaders at both the student and professional levels.

Since 2010, HCPS has been home to four Western Region Principals of the Year (2010, 2015, 2016, 2022) and one North Carolina Principal of the Year (2010) through the Wells Fargo North Carolina Teacher of the Year Program, and a North Carolina Regional Teacher of the Year for the Western Region (2022).

“There is a rich history of education in Henderson County that we all benefit from and share. The merger of Hendersonville City Schools and Henderson County Schools in 1993 is the watershed event that created Henderson County Public Schools, laying the foundation for the many successes over the past 30 years. We want the community to celebrate alongside us as we honor our past and focus on our future,” said Superintendent Mark R. Garrett.

“Public schools have long been the backbone of this nation, this state, and this community. We are proud to serve every citizen of Henderson County as your Henderson County Public Schools. Here’s to the next 30 years!”

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