Mountain Youth School (North Carolina)

Mountain Youth School (MYS) is one of a very small group of alternative schools 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.^[1][2][3]

History

In the summer of 1997, the North Carolina General Assembly 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.^[4]

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:^[5]

• 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

References