Erwin High School

As a student can only say that this school has it's problems but what school doesn't .. I believe that Erwin gets a lot of Negative things thrown at it when really the school has improved greatly. The freshman academy isn't easy but it only increases a students drive to succeed. Thats what happened with me. I struggled last year as a Freshman but Now as a sophmore I have a stronger drive more then i ever have before and thats due to not only being in Career Academy but having excellent Teachers. This school deserves so much more credit because at least they are trying. Drop outs have decreased in the last year and test scores went up. NOBODY should judge Erwin unless they are a student. I have respect for you parents who dont like erwin i just simply disagree. Everyone has a different experience, Keep an open mind
--Submitted by a student

I have a daughter getting ready to graduate this year from Clyde A Erwin HS. This school has near complete disregard and respect for the students and families. I can't tell you the name of the principal or other key personnel at this school because you simply don't see or hear from them. My daughter struggled so much at this school and went through some tough times, and even went to a guidance counselor at one point (at my request). But rather than try to help her (and her parents and siblings) cope with whatever she was going through and our needs, I was told these matters were confidential even though my daughter was a minor. I was never given any insight at all nor referrals on where to turn. She consistently scored poorly and made poor grades at this school. Teachers and personnel rarely returned phone calls or emails.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is a freshman at Erwin High School. He attended a local private school for 8 years. Because of his football desire, he had to attend public school in order to participate in that sport. Although this school had received negative press in the past, I went into this with a fresh perspective of the freshman academy that was here. My son has done great! He has participated not only in football but also wrestling and track. He is in honor classes and has done fantastic. The teachers are as involved with you as you want them to be. I have all of his teachers on a group email and get weekly progress reports from them if asked. My son has been completely happy about us allowing him to attend public school even though we had reservations. Erwin has been great!
--Submitted by a parent

My child is getting ready to graduate from Clyde A Erwin High School. I am thankful I don't have another child to endure a family-unfriendly environment, uncaring & cold administrators, disorganization, and overall a school that is designed to set children up for failure. The overcrowding, chaos, lack of the ability for parents to collaborate, and poor leadership are perhaps only a few things that contribute to this school's poor academic achievements. My suggestion is for the administration and faculty at this school to learn and implement one of the basic foundations of school success: communicate with parents now and then and realize that just because these are high school students they are still children with parents who would like to know something about their children's school experiences now and then.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated from this high school in 2004 with a 3.8 GPA & I now attend a state university. Since beginning college, I have come to realize that Erwin High did not at all prepare me for college. When I arrived at college, I was immediately placed in a remedial math class and I was also informed that my score on the writing placement test was just barely high enough to disqualify me for the remedial writing class. I am consistently amazed with the lack of basic knowledge that Erwin failed to provide me with in comparison to graduates of other NC high schools.

I believe Erwin HS has a potential to produce great students but is greatly lacking in the ranking of sports verses academics. I have been to several sport functions and have been disappointed with the staff behavior during these games. Sports should be competitive but also fun. I believe the teaching of integrity and morals starts in the home but I also believe the children spend most of their time with supposedly professional teachers. My child has chosen to attend Erwin HS and I want to support my child in this decision. However, I believe she will regret this decision when she begins college and realizes she has not been properly prepared. My dream is for my child to be successful in high school so that she is properly prepared to succeed in college as well. These children are our tomorrow and we should teach them as such. Kind Regards
--Submitted by Melody Meadows, a parent

My daughter is a senior at Erwin High School. Her overall experience, not just educationally, has been excellent. We (her parents) feel she has gotten a quality education and is prepared for life and it's challenges as she heads to college in the fall of '07. The school has come a long way in the 10 years we have lived in Asheville and we would recommend it highly. The one negative is that there are too many parents and family members in the community who are not involved enough in the lives of their children at the school. More involvement and less griping in the grocery store will help everyone in the school and make Erwin High School an even better place for our children.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a recent graduate of erwin high and i would never want my child to go there. I now go to a great university and learned that erwin does not prepare you for college life. In high school the course load was light and you could basically get away with murder...Not at a university. If this is how i viewed erwin, then you know i'm not the only one who thinks this. Take my word, don't send your child to this school!
--Submitted by a former student

Personally I think Erwin is the best school in the U.S. I play basketball and the coaching staff is the best you could ask for. I have been going to Erwin since I was in Kindergarden. All the teachers I'va had and I know are wonderful I haven't met one bad teacher. We are full of school spirit. The games are always packed even away games. If you are thinking about coming to this school your making a good choice. - Amanda
--Submitted by Amanda, a student

Erwin is a school with caring teachers. Most of the teachers and staff care for the children as if they were the parents. Unfortunately, too much emphasis is put on football and not enough on academics, safety, and de-stereo-typing. the kids are rather segregated, mostly by choice. The administration has been overhauled several times, but badly needs to be replaced again. It is a school where it is all about who you know, and needs to be about the kids, not the politics. Though the teachers are mostly top notch, many need to be replac3ed, either becasue they are past their prime, because they do not have the kids best interests at heart, or because they are too political. Also, the school is a dump. The football stadium is great, but how about the classrooms and cleanliness?
--Submitted by a teacher