The New Community High School

Community High School (CHS) hosted an open house and dedication ceremony on Dec. 16 for the newly constructed school building.

By: Stacia Harris, Communications Dept.

Over the weekend, staff, students, and community stakeholders said good-bye to the old and hello to something new. Community High School (CHS) hosted an open house and dedication ceremony on Sunday for the newly constructed school building. Crews have worked steadily for over a year designing and constructing this new addition.

The program included remarks from CHS Principal Janet Greenhoe, Superintendent Dr. Tony Baldwin, Board Chair Ann Franklin, Social Studies teacher Anna Brawley, and student speaker, Jak Kickliter. He shared his experience of seeing the Broadway hit Hamilton as part of a school field trip to Charlotte and performing an original monologue on stage. Jak also performed his monologue during the dedication ceremony.

The event concluded with a surprise reveal that the new media center will be named after Bill Murdock, who was there to give the keynote address. He also is the author of several books!

Guests applaud at the dedication ceremony of the new Community High School.

"Both staff and students are on cloud nine with anticipation of starting classes in our new building on January 2," said Principal Greenhoe. "We know how much it will support increased opportunities for our students. Our staff was overwhelmed with gratitude at the show of support at our dedication ceremony from our district leadership, school board members, county commissioners, former students, former staff and community partners."

The new CHS addition features spacious classrooms, more spaces for small group and individualized instruction, better technology integration, and an energy-efficient design. The new building expands and improves the school’s Food Lab, Agricultural Sciences department, and Early Childhood Education department.

Students at Community High School will officially move into their new building next semester. Then, the second phase of this renovation continues with the demolition of the original school (the facade of the building will be preserved) to make room for a floor-to-ceiling glass enclosed cafeteria!

Community High is an alternative high school situated in the Owen District but serving high school students from across BCS, Asheville City Schools, and the broader region. Construction on the new section began last year to replace most of the nearly 90-year-old Swannanoa High School building.

___
View our full photo gallery at BuncombeSchools.org.

DISTRICT

Elementary

Intermediate

Middle

High

Other

Buncombe County Schools