The Swain County Board of Education recognizes and respects the concerns expressed by
families and community members regarding Swain Academy students not participating in
the Swain County High School graduation ceremony scheduled for May 29, 2025.
After careful consideration, the board reaffirms the position: Swain Academy students and
Swain High School students will graduate in separate ceremonies.
There has been misinformation that suggests the Board is denying Swain Academy
students a graduation ceremony altogether. That is not the case. Swain Academy will hold
its own graduation ceremony on June 1, 2025, at the Swain Arts Center, designed
specifically to honor the unique journeys and achievements of its students.
Swain Academy is a separate school, not a program within Swain High School. Swain
Academy was established as an alternative learning environment designed to restore
students who require more concentrated support in academics, attendance, and daily
conduct. The Academy operates as a separate school, with its own principal and dedicated
teaching staff, approved by both the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and
the Swain County School Board prior to its opening in August. While the two schools share
some logistical resources, shared services do not indicate the schools are one and the
same.
As with all separate schools, each institution holds its own graduation ceremony. This is
consistent across our district and elsewhere. While Swain Academy provides robust
academic and personal support, transferring to the Academy does mean that students
forgo some of the social experiences associated with Swain County High School. However,
the Academy’s staff work tirelessly to create unique activities and opportunities for their
students, including a separate graduation ceremony.
Swain Academy serves a vital role in our district by offering direct, core instruction in small,
post-secondary-focused classes to students who require more concentrated support in
academics, attendance, and daily conduct. The Board commends the efforts of Swain
Academy staff and the students who work hard to reach this milestone.
Graduating from Swain Academy is part of a distinct path—one that reflects the individual
challenges and growth of those students. About 20% of Swain Academy students have
successfully completed their personalized goals to transfer back to Swain High School,
and when that happens, those students become eligible for participation in Swain High
School activities, including the graduation ceremony. This policy honors both the efforts of
students who return to traditional settings and those who remain at Swain Academy, each
with ceremonies that reflect their respective journeys.
The Swain County School Board reaffirms its commitment to recognizing the natural and
inherent value of every student. We celebrate the perseverance and accomplishments of
Swain Academy graduates and thank the families and community members who continue
to support them. The Board remains dedicated to providing all students with the resources
and opportunities they need to succeed, whether through Swain County High School or
Swain Academy.
We encourage all families to join us in celebrating the achievements of Swain Academy’s
graduates at their dedicated ceremony, as we honor their hard work, resilience, and
individual journeys toward success.