Polk County Schools has welcomed Laura Sprinkle as the new director of PEAK After School. Sprinkle brings more than 20 years of professional experience in leadership, operations, employee development and community-focused service to the role. Her previous work has included leading teams, managing operations and developing employees, experience she will now bring to PEAK as...Read More

Polk County Early College senior Bonnie Bailey is getting an early look at what it means to work in education - not from a textbook, but inside a Polk County school.Read More

What began as help for families following Hurricane Helene has become a weekly source of support for students at two Polk County elementary schools.Read More

Polk County Schools will hold its Polk Cares 4 Kids fundraising celebration on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2027, from 5-10 p.m. at Tryon International.Read More

Tryon Fine Arts Center is expanding its partnership with Polk County Schools for the 2026-27 school year, creating more opportunities for students and teachers to experience the arts in classrooms, performances and hands-on programs. The partnership reaches students across multiple grade levels and includes teacher grants, arts immersion experiences, professional performances, poetry and theater programs....Read More

Polk County elementary students are beginning the 2026-27 school year with a shared approach to character development through the expansion of Character Strong to all four elementary schools.Read More

For six weeks this summer, hundreds of brown paper bags lined tables and hallways at Polk County High School, each one part of a week’s worth of food headed home with a Polk County child.Read More

Polk County Schools is looking for community members willing to spend about an hour each month building meaningful relationships with students through the BOLT mentoring program.Read More

Academically gifted students became 3D designers and makers this summer during a weeklong camp that introduced them to the technology and engineering behind 3D printing.Read More

In June, Polk County Middle School science teachers Elisa Flynn and Leslie Rhinehart joined educators from across North Carolina for a two-week journey through Southern Africa organized by Global NC.Read More

Elementary students explored the science and engineering behind space travel during Stefanie Tyler's AIG Summer Seminar, moving from investigations of the solar system to building and launching rockets of their own.Read More

A group of Polk County Schools AIG students spent a week turning paper and scissors into works of art while learning how paper-cutting traditions developed across cultures around the world.Read More

With the start of the new school year is just around the corner, Polk County Schools is rolling out the welcome mat for students and families across the district.Read More

A group of Polk County Schools educators spent three days this summer immersed in cutting-edge reading research, returning home equipped with powerful new tools to support early literacy across the district.Read More

Rising seventh through ninth graders spent a week outdoors in one of the region's most remarkable natural settings this summer, immersing themselves in the ancient practice of herbalism during the Herbalism and Alchemy seminar held June 22-26 at Pearson Falls and Glen.Read More

The former STEM lab at Tryon Elementary School was transformed into a global kitchen in mid-June as rising fourth through sixth graders spent a week cooking their way across four continents during the Culture and Cuisine Camp, one of several free Summer Seminars offered this summer through a generous grant from the Polk County Community...Read More

Polk County High School is looking for welcoming families in the community to open their homes to international exchange students for the 2026-2027 school year - and the experience, say those who have lived it, is one that changes lives on both sides.Read More

Students in grades 4-6 spent an exciting week exploring the world of robotics and computer science during the AIG Computer Science with Sphero Robotics Camp, held June 15-18 at the Polk County Middle School Computer Science Lab.Read More

The Polk County Schools Child Nutrition Department is bringing back its popular Summer Food Program this June, and every child in Polk County is welcome.Read More

When most people think about school transportation, they picture a bus driver behind the wheel and a mechanic in the garage.Read More

Thanks to a generous grant from the Polk County Community Foundation, Polk County Schools is proud to offer Advanced Learning and AIG students the opportunity to attend a free one-week Summer Seminar this summer - and registration is open now.Read More

Rachel Culbreth, a second grade teacher at Polk Central Elementary, has been selected as a member of the 2026–27 Kenan Fellows cohort - the second consecutive year that a Polk County Schools educator has earned the prestigious designation.Read More

Polk County Schools and Tryon Elementary School have once again been recognized among North Carolina's most military-friendly educational institutions, earning the prestigious Purple Star Award for the 2025-26 school year.Read More

Twenty-one Polk County Schools teachers have achieved certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, earning one of the highest professional distinctions available in education.Read More

Nine Polk County Schools teachers have been selected to receive 2026 Priscilla and Ellis D. Slater Excellence in Teaching Awards which will fund professional development experiences ranging from international travel to specialized literacy training.Read More

Carpenter bees, synchronous fireflies and hoverflies don't often get the appreciation they deserve. But Polk County elementary students recently learned why these tiny creatures matter – and created art that will literally help them survive.Read More

When math teachers started chopping onions and doubling recipes on March 19, they discovered what their students already know: real-world problem-solving is harder than it looks, especially when your eyes are watering.Read More

Polk County Schools' four elementary Pre-K programs have all achieved 5-Star license ratings through North Carolina's Quality Rating and Improvement System, earning the highest level of quality recognition available from the state.Read More

Kim Cochran sees the connection clearlyRead More

The discovery that math can be fun spread to more Polk County elementary students on Friday, Mar. 6, as students from Saluda Elementary and Tryon Elementary took part in the district's second Math Festival of the year.Read More

Five Polk County schools have been recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and State Board of Education for demonstrating exceptional student academic growth during the 2024-25 school year.Read More

From bagel recipes to artificial intelligence ethics to nature-based healing, Polk County students have spent months pursuing independent projects driven by their personal interests and curiosity.Read More

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A Polk Central Elementary School teacher who embodies the spirit of lifelong learning has been chosen to carry forward a legacy of educational excellence established by one of Polk County's most dedicated educators.Read More

The Polk County Board of Education approved a revised calendar for the rest of the 2025-26 academic year at its monthly meeting on Monday at Stearns Education Center.Read More

Polk County Schools counselors and social workers are better equipped to support students and families thanks to a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation that provides professional development resources and training.Read More

Last Updated: [2/3/26 at 4:55pm] Polk County Schools will resume classes on a two hour delay beginning Wednesday, February 4th. While many main roads have improved, some secondary and rural roads remain icy and unsafe for school bus travel. To ensure student safety, school buses will not travel on certain roads until conditions improve. Roads...Read More

First-grade students from across Polk County Schools brought their Arts and Letters curriculum to life with a field trip to the Greenville Zoo, where animals became living examples of the concepts they've been studying in class.Read More

Polk County Schools nurses recently attended the North Carolina School Nursing Conference in Winston-Salem, thanks to funding from the Polk County Community Foundation.Read More

One Polk Central Elementary student summed up Polk County Schools' first math festival with a revelation: they didn't know math could be fun.Read More

Polk County Schools has named Lori Byars as the district’s preschool director, bringing 25 years of educational experience and deep community roots to the role. Byars currently serves as assistant principal at Polk County Middle School, where she oversees testing coordination, transportation, discipline and teacher evaluations. She has spent her entire career in Polk County...Read More

Jennifer Schweitzer didn't just choose teaching as a career. She chose it as a calling – a way to make a meaningful difference in children's lives, inspired by the dedicated teachers who helped her overcome reading struggles and her mother who poured her heart into 30 years of teaching.Read More

Thirteen Polk County Schools math teachers traded their classrooms for pickleball courts and bowling lanes on Oct. 28, combining social time with deep mathematical thinking at the inaugural Thermal Belt Math Circle event.Read More

Polk County Schools’ P.E.A.K. After School program is hiring group leaders at Polk Central Elementary and Tryon Elementary schools. The positions are part-time, weekdays from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Group leaders work with elementary students in the after-school program, providing supervision and enrichment activities. Interested applicants can contact Linley Foster, interim PEAK program director,...Read More

Robots raced through hallways, navigated intricate mazes and battled in competitions as Polk County students put their programming skills to the test during the AIG Computer Science Robotics Camp.Read More

Polk County High School and Polk County Early College will begin using Yondr pouches Oct. 20 to help maintain a phone-free learning environment during school hours.Read More

Recently retired Polk County Schools Superintendent Aaron Greene has received an Honorary State FFA Degree.Read More

Polk County Schools demonstrated excellent academic performance in the 2024-25 school year, earning recognition as one of North Carolina's top school districts while several individual schools achieved growth milestones.Read More

Polk County Schools has experienced a dramatic increase in student meal participation following a $120,000 grant from the Dogwood Health Trust that enabled free meals for all students during the 2024-25 school year.Read More

The Polk County community will come together on Saturday, Sept. 20th for the 11th Annual Walk/Remembrance, a free event dedicated to ending the silence and stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction while honoring those who have lost their lives to these conditions.Read More

The Polk County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $750,000 one-time funding request Monday to help Polk County Schools stabilize its operating budget and replenish its fund balance.Read More

The Polk County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to adopt Policy 4318, establishing clear guidelines for use of wireless communication devices in Polk County Schools.Read More

Polk County Schools students will once again be able to enjoy free breakfast and lunch during the 2025-26 school year.Read More

Academically gifted students transformed digital designs into tangible objects during a week-long "3D Printing with TinkerCad" camp that combined hands-on activities with software-based 3D modeling.Read More

Seventeen local middle school students learned to pilot drones during a pair of week-long camps this summer sponsored by the Polk County Community Foundation and GearUP.Read More

Polk County School’s 21st CCLC PEAK After School Program received the 2025 21st CCLC Best Practice Spotlight Outstanding Contribution Award at the annual conference July 29 in Flat Rock. The program was recognized for innovative and engaging student activities and community and parental engagement during the 2024-2025 school year. The award ceremony took place at...Read More

Polk County Schools is proud to celebrate Dr. Christopher Lamar Wilson, Director of Bands at Polk County Middle School, on his recent appointment as the new volunteer director of Bounty of Bethlehem. A Hendersonville native, Dr. Wilson has served in education for 26 years, including a successful tenure as assistant principal at Hendersonville High School before...Read More

Academically gifted students transformed into young forensic scientists this summer during a week-long "Crimebusters" Forensics Camp that combined hands-on laboratory work with mystery-solving scenarios.Read More

Seven elementary students from across Polk County combined scientific exploration with artistic expression during a week-long Creative Cultivators Camp this summer.Read More

Five Polk County teachers traded their traditional classrooms earlier this month for a three-day mathematics immersion experience at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching.Read More

Aspiring young authors spent a week this summer learning the craft of novel writing through an AIG Summer Seminars camp at the Polk County Public Library.Read More

Fourteen elementary students from across Polk County spent a week in June learning to crack codes, solve puzzles and save their fictional school from an enemy threat.Read More

Five educators from four different Polk County schools participated in the 2025 William Friday Teachers Retreat: Rooted in Resilience, a professional development program held June 29-July 1 at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville.Read More

Governor Josh Stein signed comprehensive education legislation into law on July 1 that will fundamentally change how North Carolina students interact with technology during school hours, marking one of the most significant digital safety initiatives in the state's history.Read More

Polk County Schools officially has a new leader.Read More

Polk County Schools held a celebration on May 18 at Polk County High School for Superintendent Aaron Greene, who is retiring in June after more than three decades of service to the district.Read More

The Polk County Schools Child Nutrition Department is launching its annual Summer Food Service Program, offering free nutritious meals to help fill the gap for children who may otherwise go hungry when school is not in session.Read More

Scholastic Books recently brought a reading reward - and a special guest - to Polk County Schools to honor retiring Superintendent Aaron Greene.Read More

Polk County Schools will celebrate graduating students with three ceremonies in late May, beginning with Polk County Early College graduates this week.Read More

Two educators from Polk County Schools have earned spots in the highly competitive Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, joining an elite group of 30 teachers selected statewide for the 2025-26 cohort.Read More

For the second year in a row, Polk County Schools has been honored with the State Superintendent's Purple Star District Award, recognizing the district's commitment to supporting military students and their families.Read More

A few spots remain available for the 2025 summer camps organized by Polk County educators for rising 4th-9th grade students. These educational camps, funded by the Polk County Community Foundation, offer unique opportunities for local youth to engage in hands-on learning experiences during the summer break.Read More

The recent Polk Cares 4 Kids fundraiser proved a record success for Polk County Schools.Read More

A retirement celebration for Polk County Schools Superintendent Aaron Greene will be held May 18 at Polk County High School.Read More

Nine Polk County Schools educators have received 2025 Priscilla and Ellis D. Slater Excellence in Teaching Awards from the Polk County Community Foundation, funding professional development opportunities that will enhance classroom instruction. The awards program strengthens local education by supporting teachers’ professional growth through funding for travel experiences related to their teaching subjects, conference attendance...Read More

Polk County Schools has selected its next superintendent.Read More

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North American Rescue recently donated school supplies to Polk County Schools, with Polk County EMS personnel Jason Wilson and Michael Crater facilitating the contribution.Read More

Polk County Schools' PEAK afterschool program students received a slithering education in Feburary through a continued partnership with Champions for Wildlife.Read More

Polk County Middle School teacher Jeanne Ferran has been named the recipient of the 2025 Janice Anderson Brumley Award.Read More

The Polk County community came together February 28 for a heartwarming and exhilarating event at The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run—the Special Olympics Polk County’s annual Polar Plunge.Read More

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green’s “Mo Wants to Know” tour is coming to Western North Carolina on March 17. A listening and learning session will be held at Tuscola High School at 6 p.m. on March 17.  The school is located at 564 Tuscola School Road in Waynesville. Parents, students, educators,...Read More

Polk County Schools Superintendent Aaron Greene has announced his decision to retire, concluding a distinguished 30-year career with the district.Read More

A local wildlife organization brought black bear education to Polk County elementary students through after-school programs in January.Read More

In an era of mounting mental health challenges and academic pressures, Polk County's school counselors and social workers are getting a boost thanks to a timely grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.Read More

A whole-home generator, an all-wheel drive Ford Ecosport and a beach house rental are among the items up for bid at the upcoming Polk Cares 4 Kids fundraiser, set for Feb. 8 at Tryon International Equestrian Center.Read More

RFP- PreK Playgrounds (Multi-site)DownloadRead More

Dear Parents, Guardians, and School System Employees, On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, PowerSchool alerted North Carolina public schools and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to a cybersecurity incident affecting student and teacher data across its global client base. This incident was not limited to North Carolina. PowerSchool, a student information system (SIS)...Read More

Polk County Schools, in collaboration with the Polk Schools Fund through the Polk County Community Foundation, will host the annual Polk Cares 4 Kids (PC4K) fundraising event on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.Read More

The Polk County Board of Education welcomed its newest member as part of the board's December meeting held at Isothermal Community College.Read More

In the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene's path through Western North Carolina, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina wasted no time in rushing to help local organizations.Read More

Local elementary school students explored the world of Monarch butterflies through an educational program by Champions for Wildlife during August and September.Read More

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An update for all Polk County Schools students and familes from Superintendent Aaron Greene.Read More

Polk County Schools is closely monitoring weather conditions throughout the county as the remnants of Hurricane Helene begin to move into the area.Read More

Polk County Schools has been recognized as one of the top districts in North Carolina in teaching students to read.Read More

Polk County Schools has been awarded a grant by the Polk County Community Foundation to help establish an Artists in Residence program at every school in the district.Read More

The start of the 2024-25 school year has been a successful one according to Polk County Schools Superintendent Aaron Greene.Read More

For the first after-school session this fall with Polk County school students, staff from Champions for Wildlife taught a lesson all about owlsRead More