There will be a District AIG Parent Meeting on Tuesday, August 25 at 5:30pm in the Central Office.
If your child is in this program, plan to attend this information session.
Showing Up for Swain: Building Our Future Together
Every family, business, and neighborhood in our county is impacted by chronic school absenteeism. We invite all community members to join us for a crucial public meeting to tackle this challenge together and support the future of our students and workforce.
Event: Showing Up for Swain: Building Our Future Together
Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Swain Middle School Media Center
What to Expect:
A presentation on recent Swain County Schools attendance data.
An overview of how daily attendance shapes academic success and long-term workforce readiness.
The official launch of the county-wide Swain Attendance Task Force.
Solving this challenge takes an entire community. Whether you want to join a task force committee, display a support window cling at your local business, sponsor student incentives, or simply share your insights, every voice matters at this table.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Thank you for your dedication to Swain County, our schools, and our youth!
We're off to a great start!
Digital Citizenship: SCHS students should check their school email regarding the requirements and consequences for not completing Digital Citizenship. Each day during Intervention/Study Hall (AM) and WIN (PM), students will have the opportunity to complete these lessons with their teacher. It is important students attend school all day, every day of the week! Lessons are due August 31st by the end of the school day. SCHS Google account access will be restricted beginning September 1st until all lessons are complete.
We are thrilled to announce that both the Swain Middle and Swain High School Band Programs have been officially recognized by the North Carolina Bandmasters Association as Programs of Distinction for the 2025–2026 school year!
Throughout the year, our students have represented Swain County with exceptional pride through regional marching competitions, WNC All-District and NC All-State Honor Bands, Jazz Band, and Solo & Ensemble events. Coupled with consistent Superior Ratings at the Western Region Music Performance Assessments, this honor reflects the remarkable dedication, hard work, and musical growth of our students and directors. Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement!
Today is the Day! Come meet your teachers!
Swain County Schools will host Open House today, Thursday, August 13. Check out the schedule below to find the specific times for your school:
🏫 Swain East: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🏫 Swain West: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🏫 Swain Middle School: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain Academy: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain High School: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
We can't wait to see all of our students and families there!
Swain County Schools will host Open House today, Thursday, August 13. Check out the schedule below to find the specific times for your school:
🏫 Swain East: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🏫 Swain West: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🏫 Swain Middle School: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain Academy: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain High School: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
We can't wait to see all of our students and families there!
Upcoming Webinar: When School Feels Hard: Understanding Anxiety and Avoidance in Kids
Wednesday, August 19 | 7–8pm ET
Chinwé Williams, Ph.D.
The start of a new school year brings excitement for some kids and teens and dread for others. In this webinar, we’ll explore what’s driving school anxiety and avoidance in kids, when it may signal a need for additional support, and practical strategies to help children feel more confident, connected, and ready to learn.
As always, the webinar is free, and you'll have a chance to ask questions live.
Swain County Schools mourns the passing of a true local icon, Coach Rod White.
Whether he was masterminding defenses on the sidelines, inspiring students in the classroom, or serving as one of the beloved voices of the Maroon Devil Network, Rod brought unmatched energy, humor, and heart to everything he did.
Rod was a colorful character who loved this community deeply. He didn't just teach football or cover games; he built relationships that lasted a lifetime.
Our love and prayers go out to the White family, his former players, students, and friends. Thank you, Coach, for every lesson, every win, and every unforgettable call on the airwaves. You will be dearly missed.
Whether he was masterminding defenses on the sidelines, inspiring students in the classroom, or serving as one of the beloved voices of the Maroon Devil Network, Rod brought unmatched energy, humor, and heart to everything he did.
Rod was a colorful character who loved this community deeply. He didn't just teach football or cover games; he built relationships that lasted a lifetime.
Our love and prayers go out to the White family, his former players, students, and friends. Thank you, Coach, for every lesson, every win, and every unforgettable call on the airwaves. You will be dearly missed.
Early Chromebook pickup dates have been scheduled!
Device pickup will start on Monday, August 3rd, and run through Thursday, August 6th. Drop-in hours are from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, in the Swain High Media Center.
The pick up schedule is as follows:
· Seniors can pick up on Monday, Aug 3rd.
· Freshmen can pick up on Tuesday, Aug 4
· Sophomores can pick up on Wednesday, Aug 5
· Juniors can pick up on Thursday, Aug 6
Students will also be able to receive their device during Open House on August 13th, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Completion of the Online Student Registration is required before devices can be picked up. Also, any outstanding technology charges must be paid before picking up devices; this includes charges for missing cases and chargers.
For incoming freshman, if fees are owed at the middle school, those must be paid at Swain Middle School before picking up your high school device.
The online registration system can be accessed in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal or on the Swain County Schools website, under Enrollment" at the top.
Swain County Schools Afterschool Program Registration Opening Soon
Registration for our FREE K–8 Afterschool Program opens this Friday, August 7th, at 9:00 AM.
Key Details:
Registration Opens: Friday, Aug 7 @ 9:00 AM
First Day: Tuesday, Sept 8
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, until 5:30 PM
Grades: K–8
Cost: FREE for participating students
Important Note: We anticipate a waitlist. Applications will be reviewed based on prior behavior, attendance, and submission time. Families will be notified of acceptance the week of August 17th.
(Note: Pre-K Afterschool applications are managed directly through Bright Adventures.)
Register here (link opens Aug 7 at 9 AM):
https://forms.gle/RQkYRhiNkfgw395d7
Huge shoutout and thank you to these four high schoolers for really stepping up to help Swain County Schools this summer!
Ayden Smiley, Noah Brown, Landon Cochran, and Kregg Parton worked alongside our maintenance team all summer—painting, mowing, trimming, and doing whatever was needed to get our campuses looking sharp and ready for the new school year.
We truly appreciate their hard work, great attitudes, and dedication to our schools!
Ayden Smiley, Noah Brown, Landon Cochran, and Kregg Parton worked alongside our maintenance team all summer—painting, mowing, trimming, and doing whatever was needed to get our campuses looking sharp and ready for the new school year.
We truly appreciate their hard work, great attitudes, and dedication to our schools!
Save the Date!
Join Dr. Brandon Sutton for an important community discussion on how we can work together to tackle chronic absenteeism and support our students.
📍 Location: Swain Middle School Media Center
⏰ When: Aug 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Every day in school counts—let's build our future together! Stay tuned for more updates.
Join Dr. Brandon Sutton for an important community discussion on how we can work together to tackle chronic absenteeism and support our students.
📍 Location: Swain Middle School Media Center
⏰ When: Aug 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Every day in school counts—let's build our future together! Stay tuned for more updates.
Last week, Nine Swain High students traveled to Appalachian State University for Design Camp, sponsored by GEAR UP! Over four immersive days, our Maroon Devils dove into Design Foundations, Apparel Design, Industrial Design, and Interior Design—guided directly by App State faculty, students, and industry professionals.
Campers went through the full creative process from concept to creation: sketching ideas, participating in critique sessions, listening to professional designer keynotes, and touring state-of-the-art campus studios. They brought their ideas to life by building scale models for every discipline and wrapped up the week showcasing their work at a special reception for families!
A huge thank you to GEAR UP for giving our students this incredible, hands-on opportunity to build real-world problem-solving skills!
A note about GEAR UP
GEAR UP stands for "gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs" and it is a federally funded college access program designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college. Gear Up's goal is to make sure that every student in Swain has every option available to them when it is time to make decisions about their future!
Some of the Services Gear Up Offers:
One on one college or career advising
Virtual tutoring available 24/7
Application assistance
Financial aid assistance
College Visits
ACT prep resources
Now Open! Student Registration for the 2026–2027 School Year
Whether you're enrolling a student for the first time or completing your returning student's annual update, registration is now open!
✅ New students: Complete the online registration form and follow the enrollment instructions.
✅ Returning students: Log in to the Parent Portal to complete your annual update.
Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2026.
We look forward to welcoming our students for another great school year!
We're Hiring! Great schools are built by great people.
Swain County Public Schools is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team in rewarding roles supporting our local student-athletes. If you have a passion for mentoring and want to make a positive impact in our community, we have coaching opportunities available!
We have positions open for both Middle School and High School Athletics, including roles in:
Basketball (Assistant Boys and Girls Coaches)
Cheerleading (Head JV Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach)
Football (Assistant Coach)
Wrestling (Head Coach and Assistant Coach)
Track (Assistant Coach)
For a complete list of positions, detailed job descriptions, and to submit your application, please visit our employment portal: https://swain.schoolspring.com/
Swain County Public Schools is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team in rewarding roles supporting our local student-athletes. If you have a passion for mentoring and want to make a positive impact in our community, we have coaching opportunities available!
We have positions open for both Middle School and High School Athletics, including roles in:
Basketball (Assistant Boys and Girls Coaches)
Cheerleading (Head JV Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach)
Football (Assistant Coach)
Wrestling (Head Coach and Assistant Coach)
Track (Assistant Coach)
For a complete list of positions, detailed job descriptions, and to submit your application, please visit our employment portal: https://swain.schoolspring.com/
Good news for families: Mental health support through Cartwheel doesn’t stop when school does.
This summer, students and families in Swain County Schools can still access:
🧠 Licensed therapists and psychiatric providers with no waitlists
💻 Virtual appointments with afternoon, evening, and weekend availability
👨👩👧 Parent guidance sessions with practical support for parents and caregivers for everyday challenges
🗣️ Care available in English, Spanish, and other languages
✅ Free for families with Medicaid; in-network with most insurance
Summer is a great time to get connected to care and help students be ready for fall. Learn more and get started: cartwheelcare.org/families
Happy Fourth of July to our students, families, friends and staff!
Ready to shape the next generation of leaders? Swain County Schools is hiring Middle & High School CTE Teachers! Enjoy a supportive environment nestled right in the beautiful mountains of Bryson City.
Apply today ➡️ https://swain.schoolspring.com/
Apply today ➡️ https://swain.schoolspring.com/
A huge thank you to Kierra Shook and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for sharing their expertise at the Swain County Schools Reading Camp. As a proud Swain alumna, Kierra provided inspiring words about her career as an Astro Engineer, while park representatives spoke about all aspects of the beautiful place we call home.
Make a Difference Every Day. Change a Life Forever.
Swain County Schools is hiring Special Education Teachers! We invest heavily in our educators with signing bonuses, a 10% salary supplement for self-contained classrooms, strong mentorship, and a deeply collaborative school culture.
Join our dedicated team in Bryson City and help our students thrive!
Start your journey with us today: https://swain.schoolspring.com/
Questions? Contact us at 828-488-3129.
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Meet and Greet with Swain County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Brandon Sutton, earlier this month! We received a lot of valuable feedback from our community.
If you weren't able to attend, we still want to hear from you! We’ve created a short form where you can submit your input on the questions asked at the event.
https://forms.gle/7WqZMtTbiDER9i5MA
