Anna Norris, Sports Desk Lead to The Powderhorn

Past the Original Mast General Store and Valle Crucis Community Park, lies the Valle Crucis Elementary School. Every Monday since Hurricane Helene, a new message of hope is displayed on the school marquee signs to welcome students, parents, and faculty. Valle Crucis has provided students a second home, a place to be seen and loved, and somewhere that makes learning exciting.

After the hurricane hit Valle Crucis on September 27, the damage sustained was far too destructive to continue using the building. 

“My mom takes my siblings to Valle Crucis school and now the lower grades are separated from the older kids,” said Sara Smith, senior and former Valle Crucis Student. “The different age groups are then shuttled to a different location for their learning experience.” 

As the community awaits the new Valle Crucis School, projected to be completed in 2025, elementary school students are learning at the Valle Crucis Conference Center, and the middle schoolers are learning at Caldwell Community College.  

“Once school is over, they are shuttled back to a location of the parent’s choice, which is where they’re picked up to go home,” said Smith. “It’s definitely not our family’s normal, but it shouldn’t be the normal for much longer.”

Before the hurricane, the county expected the new Valle Crucis School to be functioning for students and staff in early January 2025, but the date remains unknown.

“That school and its location is very dear to my heart and means a lot to me,” said junior former Valle Crucis student, Annie Willis. “So, it’s upsetting that I have to walk through a brand new school that doesn’t hold the same memories. I won’t even know my way around the halls. It just doesn’t mean as much.”

The Valle Crucis family is filled with separated siblings, tired parents, and dedicated and loving teachers making the best of current events in Valle Crucis. Former students hope for the new school to bring the loving environment they received. 

“I am glad that Valle Crucis school is relocating, even though the new school holds no emotional attachment to me,” said Smith. “The students attending VC need to have a better space to learn in, especially after the damage from hurricane Helene.”

Seeing the Valle Crucis Elementary School being closed is a bittersweet experience for the Valle Crucis community and past students after seeing the destruction from Hurricane Helene all throughout Watauga County. 

“Not being able to do my senior walk-through at my old school is not going to feel the same. It’s not going to bring back the memories of the small classrooms, all the hallways, the front desk, etc,” said senior and former Valle Crucis student, Hadley Carpenter. “But, it will be encouraging to see a brand new school for new students to receive their education in and make new memories.”