GrahamCountySchools

Schools facing budget woes

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – A combination of untimely windfalls has put Graham County Schools into dire financial straits. The federally-backed Secure Rural Schools program was not authorized by Congress before the December 2024 adjournment, even after the U.S.
Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Like peas in a pod

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – The spring planting season began early for two students at Robbinsville High School.

Hoco changes proposed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Robbinsville – Everything from the style of dress to meeting a number of qualifications just to be on the homecoming court are being proposed as part of a sweeping change to the yearly format.
Dr. Jaime Hooper’s dissertation was recently selected for publication in a national journal.

Dr. Jaime Hooper’s dissertation was recently selected for publication in a national journal.

Published educator

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, March 6, 2025
As Jaime Hooper entered the last 10-year mark as an educator at Graham County Schools, she challenged herself to finish well. She didn’t want to find herself with regrets. “I didn’t want to leave anything on the table left undone. I didn’t want to grow stagnant,” Hooper explained.
Robbinsville High School opened to students in January 1993 and has maintained a standard of academic excellence in the 32 years that have followed. The institution is the only one that did not drop a letter grade in the yearly assessment from the state department of public instruction. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School opened to students in January 1993 and has maintained a standard of academic excellence in the 32 years that have followed. The institution is the only one that did not drop a letter grade in the yearly assessment from the state department of public instruction. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

High school holds steady; still seeking improvement

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The only institution in the district that has maintained the status quo, Robbinsville High’s new administrators insist that the facility is not going to get complacent.
The new entrance and instructional wing at Robbinsville Middle School opened in January 2022, making it the newest addition to an institution in Graham County. The school has struggled academically in the last few years, but plans are in motion to address the issue. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The new entrance and instructional wing at Robbinsville Middle School opened in January 2022, making it the newest addition to an institution in Graham County. The school has struggled academically in the last few years, but plans are in motion to address the issue. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools addressing state grades

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
* Part 1 of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has issued its annual school performance grades for each district across the state. Both Robbinsville elementary and high schools received a “C,” while Robbinsville Middle School was scored as an “F.

New bus lift ordered

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Robbinsville – After 24 years and an innumerable amount of repair work, Graham County Schools has taken steps to replace the transportation department’s bus lift. At Dec. 3’s board of education meeting, transportation director Adam Harkins spoke of a Sept.
Kindergartners Braxton Clark, Jack Portal, Hunter Gonzalez and Axel Orr (from left) work with Legos as part of STEAM activities at Robbinsville Elementary School. Photo by Dusty Orr/Robbinsville Elementary School

Kindergartners Braxton Clark, Jack Portal, Hunter Gonzalez and Axel Orr (from left) work with Legos as part of STEAM activities at Robbinsville Elementary School. Photo by Dusty Orr/Robbinsville Elementary School

STEAM funding afforded to Graham County Schools

Latresa Phillips
Monday, December 16, 2024
Graham County Schools was one of several area school systems awarded the “Cultivating STEAM Literacy” grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.
Gabrielle Sunny Jenkins is a popular face to Graham County students. Her work as a mental health liaison for the system has led to recognition from the Region A Children’s Partnership. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Gabrielle Sunny Jenkins is a popular face to Graham County students. Her work as a mental health liaison for the system has led to recognition from the Region A Children’s Partnership. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Sunny Days are here again

Latresa Phillips
Friday, December 6, 2024
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools’ Mental Health Liaison Sunny Jenkins is known by students and faculty for her friendliness, willingness to help and love for all children.
Graham County Schools will be constructing a new elementary school on this plot of land, which sits adjacent to the current high school baseball field. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools will be constructing a new elementary school on this plot of land, which sits adjacent to the current high school baseball field. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Deal struck for new school property

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
Robbinsville – With surveys completed, Graham County Schools has announced the price and amount of land to be acquired for a new elementary school. At Nov. 5’s board of education meeting, assistant superintendent/facilities director David Matheson revealed that 6.