CATAMOUNT SCHOOL

Catamount School is a Title I public middle school that is part of the Catamount School school district, located in Sylva, NC with about 57 students offering grade levels from 6th Grade to 8th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 5 teachers, Catamount School has a student/teacher ratio of about 11:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The Catamount School, located on the campus of Western Carolina University in Sylva, North Carolina, is a laboratory middle school serving students in grades 6 through 8. Operating as a partnership between the Jackson County Public School System and WCU’s College of Education and Allied Professions, the school is designed to function as a hub for innovative teaching, pedagogical research, and clinical preparation for future educators. By utilizing a "lab school" model, it offers a unique learning environment where best practices in middle school education are developed and tested in real-time.

Academically, the school emphasizes a student-centered approach, focusing on personalized learning, hands-on projects, and the social-emotional development essential for early adolescents. Because it is closely integrated with the university, students benefit from increased access to resources, faculty expertise, and unique educational opportunities that bridge the gap between K-12 schooling and higher education. The Catamount School strives to foster a supportive, community-focused atmosphere that prepares students for high school success while simultaneously serving as a model for excellence in public education throughout the region.

For more information, contact Catamount School at (828) 331-1775 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.