Yancey County Schools

06/04/2026

There is exciting news at Mountain Heritage High School! Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program will launch a new Aviation pathway designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in aviation and aerospace.

Prior to entering high school, elementary students learn aviation and electrical concepts in the school maker spaces. In middle school all 7th grade students complete the Project Lead The Way Space and Flight STEM course and attend an Aviation Expo at the Avery County Airport. This annual Aviation event has been highly successful thanks to demonstrations and partnerships with Yancey County Emergency Management and the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, MAMA of Mission Hospital, representatives from the Mtn. Air Pilot’s Association, and many other aviation-related partners.

The new Aviation pathway will allow freshmen and sophomores to continue building on their learning experiences. Students will study engineering principles, problem-solving strategies, and the technological innovations that have shaped today’s aviation and aerospace industries. Coursework will include an in-depth look at various types of aircraft in use, aircraft design, and the scientific principles that allow them to fly.

Juniors and seniors will have a truly unique opportunity as the first students in western North Carolina to partner with the Tango Flight program. Through this nationally recognized program, students will apply advanced skills in mathematics, science, and engineering while collaborating with mentors from the aviation community to build an airplane. Once the aircraft has been inspected and certified by the FAA, students will have the opportunity to take flights in the airplane they helped build.

This innovative addition to the CTE program reflects Yancey County Schools’ commitment to expanding career pathways and providing students with transformative, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for success beyond graduation. Experience from the aviation classes will enhance students' ability to work in the field as aviation mechanics, aerospace engineers, pilots, and other aviation and aerospace professionals.

A special thank you to CTE director Cynthia Deyton, GE Aerospace, Dan Weyant of Tango Flight, School Board member Will Hensley, Steve Holz, and the Mtn. Air Pilot’s Association for their commitment to developing this new pathway.

06/03/2026

Yancey County Schools Announces New Home for Pre-K Classroom to Support Early Learning Success

Yancey County Schools is pleased to announce an exciting new chapter for its Pre-K program as one of the district’s Pre-K classrooms will transition from its current location at the high school campus to a newly constructed addition at Burnsville Elementary School. This move reflects the district’s continued commitment to providing high-quality early childhood experiences and creating a seamless pathway for student success.

The Yancey County NC Pre-K committee, along with district leadership recently approved the relocation as part of the district’s ongoing efforts to strengthen educational opportunities for young learners and better support students and families during the important transition into kindergarten.

By placing Pre-K students within an elementary school environment, children will have the opportunity to become familiar with the routines, expectations, and atmosphere of a school setting where they may continue their educational journey in kindergarten and beyond. District leaders believe this change will help foster confidence, reduce anxiety associated with transitions, and strengthen connections between students, staff, and families.

The new classroom addition will provide a welcoming and developmentally appropriate learning environment designed specifically to meet the needs of young children. The space will continue to support hands-on learning, play-based instruction, and strong family engagement while also allowing students greater access to school resources and opportunities for collaboration with elementary staff.

“This move represents an important investment in our youngest learners,” said Andrea Allen, YCS Pre-K Director. “We are excited to create an environment where our Pre-K students can begin building relationships and becoming comfortable within an elementary school community from the very start. We believe this will provide long-term academic, social, and emotional benefits for children and families alike.”

District leaders also emphasized the importance of recognizing the history and impact of the original Pre-K site located at Mountain Heritage High School. As the first NC Pre-K classroom within Yancey County Schools, the MHHS site played a significant role in expanding early childhood opportunities for local families while also creating valuable hands-on learning experiences for high school students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program.

For many years, MHHS students have been able to observe, assist, and gain practical experience within the Pre-K classroom setting as part of their coursework and career preparation. Yancey County Schools is pleased to share that these opportunities will continue as students will still be able to observe and serve as interns at both the Burnsville Elementary School (BES) and Blue Ridge Elementary School (BRES) Pre-K sites.

To ensure continued access for students participating in these internship opportunities, transportation support will remain available. Students who are unable to drive will have the opportunity to ride the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) bus to and from internship placements.

Yancey County Schools extends sincere gratitude to the staff, students, families, and leadership at Mountain Heritage High School for their years of support, partnership, and dedication to the Pre-K program. The district is deeply appreciative of the many memories, relationships, and learning experiences created through this long-standing collaboration and looks forward to continuing strong connections between the district’s early childhood and high school programs in the years ahead.

Yancey County Schools remains dedicated to ensuring that every child receives a strong foundation for lifelong learning. The district looks forward to welcoming students and families into the new Pre-K classroom space and continuing its mission of preparing students for future success.

For additional information, please contact:
Andrea R. Allen NC Pre-K Director Yancey County Schools at [email protected] / 682-6101 ext 109.

06/02/2026

Visit www.yanceync.net for more information and to apply.

05/29/2026

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05/28/2026

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05/27/2026

MHHS Music Program Update

The Mountain Heritage Band and Chorus programs have earned numerous honors and awards throughout th...

05/22/2026

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Superintendent Weekly Update

05/20/2026

Dear Yancey County Schools Families and Community Members,

Yancey County Schools is committed to providing a high-quality learning environment for all students. As our district continues to grow and as enrollment patterns shift, we regularly review school attendance zones to ensure our schools remain balanced, safe, and able to support student learning effectively.

After careful review and discussion, the district will be implementing adjustments to school attendance zones beginning in the upcoming school year. This redistricting effort is necessary to help alleviate overcrowding in some schools while making better use of available space in others, allowing us to distribute students more evenly across the district and plan responsibly for future growth.

The changes will impact the following schools:
• Blue Ridge Elementary School
• Burnsville Elementary School
• Cane River Middle School
• East Yancey Middle School
• South Toe Elementary School

As part of this process, enrollment at Burnsville Elementary and East Yancey Middle are projected to decrease slightly, while Blue Ridge Elementary, South Toe Elementary and Cane River Middle are projected to see an increase in student enrollment. These adjustments will help ensure all schools have the capacity and resources needed to support students both now and in the years ahead.

We understand that school assignments are very important to families and that any change can bring questions. Our goal throughout this process is to be thoughtful, transparent, and focused on what is best for students across the entire district. In the coming weeks, the district will reach out to individual students/families who will be affected.

We deeply appreciate the continued support of our families and community as we work together to provide the best possible educational experience for every student in Yancey County Schools.

Sincerely,
Yancey County Schools

05/15/2026

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Superintendent Weekly Update