Miller 1

Kayla Miller

Dr. Madrazo

ED 299

25 April 2022

School and Community Analysis Narrative: Watauga County Schools

Introduction

Over the past ten years, I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit Watauga County in

North Carolina with my friends and family to enjoy its outdoor recreation and local shops and

restaurants. Besides the Downtown Boone area, the rest of the county looks like the typical rural

Appalachian landscape with winding roads, a few ranch-style homes, and a church every few

miles. Since I grew up in a suburb only 25 minutes away from a large city, I always found the

sprawling population in Watauga to be a nice change of pace from the bustling neighborhood I

was used to. As I continued to visit the area growing up, I also began to wonder how schools

functioned in a community like this. This project provided the perfect opportunity for me to learn

how education systems function in the Appalachian counties, which is why I decided to research

the Watauga County School District.

Watauga County is in Northwest North Carolina along the state border with Tennessee.

The Blue Ridge Mountains run through the county, which brings many tourists to the area. The

town Boone at the center of the county is home to the Appalachian State University, which is a

mid-sized college that hosts a temporary student population, bringing more jobs and money to

the area. The population of the county is approximately 55,000 (United States Census Bureau)

people and there are 5,000 K-12 students in both private and public schools in the area (Great

Schools). The Watauga County School District is unique because it serves the entire public
 Miller 2

school population in the county, which is 4,562 students (Education NC). There are eight K-8

schools and one comprehensive high school in the district (Watauga County School District).

Although there is a lack of school choice in the county, the district works hard to serve all

students who live in the area, but there are some gaps, especially when it comes to students in

marginalized communities. Their curriculum aligns with North Carolina standards, but this has

no information about culturally responsive teaching, which may explain some of the

achievement gap issues in different student populations. However, the school district is open to

some progressive changes, especially when it comes to health and sex education. Overall, the

school promises commitment to its students and based on my research, the community comes

together to support the students and their educational journeys.

Demographics

There are three specific demographics that I will highlight and analyze in this section,

and those are the racial breakdowns of the county, the poverty rate, and the percent of

households which have access to the internet. To begin, Watauga County is a majority white

area, with 94% of the population identifying as white. The next largest racial population is the

Latinx group, which makes up 4% of the population. Other racial populations live in the area, but

they form less than 1% of the population (United States Census Bureau). The school

demographics are slightly different, being 85% white and 9% Hispanic (U.S. News Education).

The lack of diversity and exposure to other cultures and experiences is detrimental to these

students, especially to those in the marginalized racial groups. The racial barriers in the county

are evident when it comes to the school’s achievement breakdowns for students since there is a

prominent gap between white and Hispanic students. 94% of white students graduate from
 Miller 3

Watauga while only 71% of Latinx students do, which is 10% less than the state average.

Hispanic students also have lower test scores than white students (Great Schools). To address

these gaps in knowledge and graduation, Watauga must make efforts in the realm of culturally

responsive teaching so they can best serve the needs of diverse learners. With a majority white

teaching staff, administration, and school board, educators in the county must commit to learning

about other cultures and how they can address systemic barriers for certain students to eliminate

the achievement gap in their schools.

Although diversity and inclusion are an issue that must be addressed in this county and

school district, Watauga has lower poverty rates and higher internet accessibility than

surrounding counties, which has been especially important because of the pandemic. According

to the most recent US census, around 15.8% of families live below the poverty line, which is a

lower amount than multiple other counties in North Carolina as well as Appalachian areas in

other states (United States Census Bureau). For families in the school district, the poverty rate is

even lower since the median household income for families with students is $30,000 higher than

the county average (ACS Dash). With lower poverty rates, students at the school have fewer

burdens and concerns at home that could potentially lead to adverse childhood experiences. A

more stable financial situation at home lowers the possibility of trauma and PTSD for children.

The higher income for school families also means that more students have internet

access. 82.9% of students have broadband internet access, and even more have access to a

computer at home (“ACS School District Profile 2015-2019”). Internet access is becoming

increasingly important for modern schooling, especially in the context of the global pandemic.

For the students who did not have access to the internet, the district provided hotspots to all their

homes so they could participate in online learning. Between ensuring 1:1 technology access and
 Miller 4

other programs like free and reduced lunch and transportation services, Watauga County School

District adequately accommodates the needs of impoverished students and those without internet

access.

Academics and Curriculum

Based on the school’s website and reviews, Watauga County students perform above

state average on their exams and their district is known for rigorous curriculum and high

achievement. Basing achievement on test scores does not highlight every aspect of a student’s

growth, but it is the only information that is widely available on multiple school statistics

websites, so that is the factor I will use to evaluate school academics. All student demographics

perform above the state average on Biology, Reading, and Math state tests, which highlights the

district’s priority on testing preparation (Great Schools). There is also a wide range of courses

that students can take at Watauga schools from AP classes to Credit by Demonstrated Mastery

(CDM) classes, so that all students have an academic pace and program that works for them

(Watauga County School District).

The wide variety in courses highlights the school’s commitment to both college and

career readiness. Like most schools, Watauga puts a lot of emphasis on AP courses and high test

scores, but they also ensure that those preparing for a career right outside of high school can

achieve training for that. Their CDM program allows students in grades 6-12 to gain credits

outside of the classroom, whether that be at home or through internship/work programs, this is a

great program for non-traditional students. Although programs like CDM exist and serve

students a traditional school system typically would not, the North Carolina state curriculum

(North Carolina Standard Course of Study/NCSCOS) still puts a heavy emphasis on college-
 Miller 5

readiness for students. Many of the state’s goals for the county by 2030 include steps to increase

enrollment in and access to postsecondary education (My Future NC). Even though they mention

career-readiness, it is clear in the comparison of the goals for career and college that the priority

is with university attendance and graduation.

Besides the state goals, Watauga County Schools have additional educational

philosophies and goals that guide their current and future practices in their schools. Their

specific mission for their district is that “Watauga County Schools will be the best place to learn

and work in North Carolina” (Watauga County School District). Since there are not many school

choices offered in this county, many administrators at Watauga want to ensure their community

that the students in their schools are in good hands. Their specific plan to accomplish their

overall goal is to create a high-quality learning environment, prepare students for the future, and

hire a passionate and trained staff that will build learning partnerships to help students succeed

(Watauga County School District). The school has a Google site that explains the specific actions

they take to achieve these goals, which is a helpful resource for parents and community

members.

I spoke with the Watauga superintendent, Dr. Elliott, and his philosophy behind the

district mission statement is that he wants the schools in the county to act as an anchor for

student growth and community involvement. His passion for the school’s success is clear in not

only his words, but also in the actions of the school district. Because the Watauga County

Schools serve an entire county, they have to invest additional funding, resources, and staff to

create an equitable atmosphere for the rural schools, and the buildings closer to town. The

curricular offerings are the same at all K-8 schools, which allows students across the district

similar opportunities for success. Dr. Elliott and the school board also emphasize the need for
 Miller 6

both physical and fine arts curriculum in all the schools, even if it requires more funding. There

are athletic programs, orchestra lessons, and theater classes at all the schools (Elliott). These

programs are often overlooked in more rural communities, but the inclusion of these subjects,

especially in the smallest schools, showcases Watauga’s commitment to student talent and

growth. The schools also encourage all students to learn through experience, so they offer many

dual credit opportunities for older students. One special aspect of their dual credit program is that

they offer dual enrollment for students who are homeschooled, so they can receive a degree from

the local high school if they pass all of their assessments. Once again, these actions showcase the

school’s commitment to students of different backgrounds across the county.

The school also seems responsive to progressive school reform, like offering a

comprehensive and inclusive health and sexual education. Unlike many other schools, especially

in the South and Midwest, the Watauga County School District does not have an abstinence-only

sexual health education program. Because Boone, a liberal college town, sits at the center of the

county, many voters and community members support these progressive curriculum changes

(Wynne). With the community’s support, Watauga County Schools implemented a three-year

health and sex education program for 7th-9th graders. The goals of the program are to build a

foundational knowledge about healthy relationships, safe sex, STDs, consent, and sexual

violence (Watauga County School District). The content in this program and its length over three

years of learning highlights the school district’s commitment to preparing students for real-world

romantic partnerships. Community and school acceptance of curriculum like this may also

suggest that this county would be more willing to enact other progressive curriculum changes

like Social-Emotional Learning and Culturally Responsive Teaching in the future.

 Miller 7

Community Involvement and Influence

The people in Watauga County deeply care about successful schools and quality

education. With Appalachian State University in the center of the county, a large amount of the

county population is students. The university was originally a teacher’s college, so the area has

deep roots in North Carolina educational history. Exposure to the college through community

events and dual enrollment programs also shows students future possibilities for them in

postsecondary institutions. The close proximity to college life makes a higher education more

accessible for many students, especially because college attendance is higher in Watauga than

neighboring rural counties (Great Schools). Like Dr. Elliott said in our interview, the education

systems in the county, whether that be Watauga Schools or Appalachian State, are the anchors in

the community. They bring the students and general population together and creating meaningful

relationships and learning partnerships.

The community is often brought into schools, whether that be for sports, arts, or service.

The superintendent spoke about Watauga opening their doors for COVID-19 tests and

vaccinations for the community. They have also worked closely with professors at Appalachian

State University on creating more sustainable practices at the school and in the community. One

professor helped students create solar panels to increase sustainable energy practices (Elliot).

These community relationships promote student growth by granting them creative and rigorous

academic and community opportunities. Communal encouragement and investment in the

schools also shows students that there is an entire network of people who want to celebrate them,

which can also motivate student success. The community breathes life into the school

curriculum, allowing students to receive real-world benefits and connections during their time in

Watauga Schools.
 Miller 8

Conclusion

Watauga County Schools have some aspects of their school system that must improve,

like cultural responsiveness and internet accessibility to serve all students, but overall, their

passion and care for student success creates a quality education environment in their county.

Both the school’s and community’s support for the students does not go unnoticed and it is clear

that the encouragement from the public helps students have above-average success in their

academics. The growth mindset the superintendent showcased in our interview together gives me

great hope for the future of this school district. With future progressive reforms that will create a

more inclusive culture and curriculum, I believe that Watauga can become the best place to learn

and work in North Carolina.

 Miller 9

Works Consulted

Education NC. “Watauga County Schools.” EducationNC, 2022,

https://www.ednc.org/district/watauga/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.

Elliott, Scott. Interview with Watauga County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Scott Elliott.

Interview by Kayla Miller, 25 Apr. 2022.

Explore Boone. “Boone NC Watauga County Vacation Information.” Hotels, Restaurants,

Events, and Things To Do, 2022, https://www.exploreboone.com/. Accessed 25 Apr.

2022.

Great Schools. “Watauga County School District School District in Boone, NC.” GreatSchools,

https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/boone/watauga-county-school-district/

#academics*College_readiness*Graduation%20rates. Accessed 23 Apr. 2022.

My Future NC. County One Pager. UNC Carolina Populaiton Center, 2020,

https://dashboard.myfuturenc.org/wp-content/uploads/county-profiles/

Watauga_County.pdf. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.

National Center for Education Statistics. “ACS School District Profile 2015-19.” Education

Demographic and Geographic Estimates, 2019,

https://nces.ed.gov/Programs/Edge/ACSDashboard/3704830. Accessed 23 Apr. 2022.

---. “ACS-ED Maps.” ACS-ED Maps, 2019, https://nces.ed.gov/programs/maped/ACSMaps/.

Accessed 23 Apr. 2022.

---. “District Directory Information for Watauga County Schools.” Search for Public School

Districts, 2021, https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=3704830.

Accessed 23 Apr. 2022.

 Miller 10

United States Census Bureau. “U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Watauga County, North

Carolina.” Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2021,

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/wataugacountynorthcarolina/

IPE120220#IPE120220. Accessed 23 Apr. 2022.

U.S. News Education. “Watauga County Schools.” U.S. News Education, 2020,

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/north-carolina/districts/watauga-county-schools-

104822. Accessed 24 Apr. 2022.

Watauga County, NC. “Watauga County, NC.” Watauga County, North Carolina, 2022,

http://www.wataugacounty.org/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.

Watauga County School District. “Watauga County Schools Home.” Watauga County School

District, 2022, https://www.wataugaschools.org/Page/1. Accessed 23 Apr. 2022.

Wynne, John. “Watauga County.” PoliticsNC, 26 Jan. 2013,

https://www.politicsnc.com/watauga-county/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.