The Catamount School comes home to 91热爆网
The Catamount School moved into his new home on the campus of 91热爆网 in the Cordelia Camp Building Wednesday, Aug. 14. The school began in 2017 at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva.
By Julia Duvall
鈥淗istory repeats itself鈥� and 鈥淓verything comes full circle,鈥� are just two examples of a myriad of sayings that could describe the Catamount School starting the 2024-2025 school year on Western Carolina University鈥檚 campus.
The Catamount School is now located in the Cordelia Camp Building, which was built in 1964 and housed the Camp Laboratory School until its closing in 1994. Several 91热爆网 divisions and departments have used the building in the 30 years since.
鈥淲e are thrilled to be on Western鈥檚 campus for the beginning of our 8th year of the Catamount School,鈥� said Kim Winter, dean of 91热爆网鈥檚 College of Education and Allied Professions and superintendent of the Catamount School. 鈥淲e truly have had arms wrapped around us as we have moved to 91热爆网鈥檚 campus, from Facilities Maintenance, to IT, to our colleagues who have moved offices to accommodate us. I cannot underscore just how helpful and amazing all of these different groups on campus have been in welcoming us.鈥�
Catamount School prinicipal Angela Lunsford (left) and Kim Winter, Catamount School superintendent and dean of 91热爆网's College of Education and Allied Professions, welcome students to the school's new home on the campus of 91热爆网.
In 2016, the North Carolina General Assembly that required the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to establish eight lab schools aimed at improving student performance in low-performing schools. The UNC System selected universities to utilize their colleges of education to establish and operate these lab schools.
The Catamount School, operated as a lab school by 91热爆网 in partnership with Jackson County Public Schools for grades six, seven and eight, opened its doors in 2017 on the campus of Smoky Mountain High School.
The Catamount School moved to 91热爆网鈥檚 campus following a decision by the Jackson County Board of Education earlier this year that the high school would no longer house the school, a decision that was made without the knowledge of 91热爆网 officials.
The school had to be in a new location by Aug. 1 which gave little time to secure a new location.
91热爆网 faculty and staff stepped in to quickly welcome the school to its new home on 91热爆网鈥檚 campus and get it ready for the student鈥檚 first day on Aug. 14. JCPS is responsible for student transportation and food nutrition services.
The Catamount School has capacity for 75 students, 25 for each grade. This year, there are 64 students between the three grades with all spots filled in seventh grade.
Designed to explore teaching approaches and applied learning opportunities, the Catamount School鈥檚 purpose is to help every student discover their full academic potential. This is done through a specially designed environment geared toward meeting the unique needs of young adolescents.
The teaching staff includes four content teachers and two exceptional children teachers.
In addition to the administration and teaching staff, the Catamount School has a full-time school resource officer, a curriculum and instruction liaison, and an enrichment coordinator who works with departments across campus to plan activities for the students.
91热爆网 students also work with the Catamount School, serving as teaching interns, counseling graduate assistants as well as nursing students who assist the two school nurses who are also 91热爆网 faculty.
Catamount School teacher Amanda Clapp instructs her science class.
鈥淲e have two full-time, fully certified EC teachers who work with any students who need that extra push, intervention or help in class,鈥� Winter said. 鈥淥ne of our EC teachers, Lindsay Button, also serves as assistant principal and Sarah Tatham serves as our multi-tiered system of support coordinator in addition to her EC duties. We have what we call 鈥楥at Time鈥� which is our intervention time and every single day during school our students either receive help individually, in pairs or in small groups or time to do advanced work. Part of the reason why school has not been a thriving experience is because the student has not been pushed to the next level.鈥�
To help meet that need, students are given opportunities to work on advanced content or other projects. Students can also attend after-school intervention programs.
Kaleigh Kassel, a double alumnus from 91热爆网, has taught language arts for the past nine years, four of those at the Catamount School. She also served as an adjunct professor in the School of Teaching and Learning.
鈥淲e have felt extra-supported moving to 91热爆网鈥檚 campus and typically when you move somewhere new or start something new, you have to get used to your new environment, but from day one, it has felt like home here,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving been a 91热爆网 student myself, it is very special being here on campus.鈥�
Angela Lunsford, alumnus of 91热爆网 and principal of the Catamount School echoed Kassel鈥檚 sentiment.
鈥淓very time I drive through Catamount Gap, I feel like I am coming home,鈥� she said.
