Innovation High School
As public school systems across the nation strive to improve retention, graduation rates, and student success long term, Henderson County's Innovative High School represents a shared vision to provide greater opportunities to their students. This groundbreaking new facility is located on the Blue Ridge Community College campus and houses two innovative schools, Early College High School and the Career Academy.
Early College High School offers students the unique opportunity to graduate from high school having earned up to two years of college credit – tuition free. This five year high school program has been identified by NC New Schools as a School of Innovation and Excellence, and it boasts a 100 percent graduation rate over the last three years.
The Career Academy offers students training in mechatronics, firefighting, and the ProStart Culinary Program – preparing them for immediate employment or higher education pursuits. The Academy's impact has been dramatic, with a 58 percent increase in graduation rate and an increase in the number of graduates who have earned college credit. With BRCC's mechatronics program located right next door, these students also have the opportunity to seamlessly continue their studies in a familiar environment.
A light-filled commons area greets students, teachers, and visitors with clean lines, modern colors, and a variety of seating arrangements. These varied seating options promote group work, independent study, dining, or social time during which students from different schools may engage with each other. This potential for impromptu interaction leverages the full value of the shared facility, as students gain new friends, insights, or perspectives.
Hendersonville High School
Hendersonville High School is a modernized facility that was founded upon extensive discussions to establish a plan for what buildings would be renovated and what buildings would be replaced. These discussions resulted in the renovation of 85,000 sq ft, the addition of 90,000 sq ft, totaling 175,000 sq. ft. Major design goals for the renovated spaces included enlarging and upgrading teaching spaces while respecting the school’s historic character and upgrading the auditorium with a new lobby and events space for expanding community use. The two-story classroom addition replaced many undersized freestanding buildings into a single building that complements the original Stillwell Building and creates more overall campus connection. The new buildings provide science labs, CTE classrooms, kitchen and dining areas, a media center, music rooms, an auxiliary gym, and administrative offices that serve 1,000 students. The new layout of the school creates a sheltered student courtyard between the buildings that will serve as an activated gathering space.
