News

Three boys standing together and one is holding a dried corn husk. They are all three smiling. Three boys standing together and one is holding a dried corn husk. They are all three smiling.

Heritage Day at Atkinson Elementary: Students Step Into Living History

Posted on 09/30/2025

For students at Atkinson Elementary School, history wasn’t read in a textbook this week, it was tasted, touched, sung, and danced. Heritage Day, the school’s long-standing tradition at Camp Pinnacle, once again transformed the outdoors into a living classroom where mountain culture came alive. More than 300 students and staff members spent the day moving […]

Erin Celej poses with four students, three staff members and Etowah Principal, Dr. Amanda Childers. They are in a classroom.

Inspiring Growth Across Schools: Erin Celej Recognized as HCPS Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence

Posted on 09/24/2025

Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) is proud to announce that Erin Celej, an Occupational Therapist serving students across the district, has been named the 2025 HCPS Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence. This November, Ms. Celej will represent HCPS at the statewide annual Exceptional Children’s Conference in Greensboro. “Ms. Celej has an incredible ability to connect […]

Ms. Schwartz poses for a photo with her third grade class. There are 16 students.

Taking Flight: Mills River’s Sarah Schwartz Named HCPS Beginning Teacher of the Year

Posted on 09/17/2025

Sarah Schwartz, a 3rd Grade teacher at Mills River Elementary School, has been named Henderson County Public Schools’ (HCPS) Beginning Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026. In her second year as a teacher, Ms. Schwartz has already distinguished herself as a dynamic, compassionate, and exceptionally effective educator whose impact extends far beyond her classroom walls. […]

Collage of kindergarten students in teal 'Class of 2038' t-shirts smiling, hugging, and learning together. Text reads: 'Welcome to the HCPS Family! The Class of 2038.' Henderson County Public Schools logo with red apple included.

A Strong Start: Henderson County Public Schools Welcomes Kindergarteners with “Class of 2038” T-Shirts

Posted on 09/15/2025

Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) continued a favorite district tradition this month, welcoming kindergarteners into the HCPS Family in a special way. On September 4th and 5th, in partnership with generous local businesses, the district provided each of the kindergarten students with a commemorative t-shirt proudly displaying “Class of 2038.” While high school graduation may […]

Students and representatives from HCPS, Blue Ridge, AdventHealth, and Pardee pose for a group photo during the Healthcare Fellows Signing Day celebration. The event takes place inside a bright, modern building with a wooden staircase and large windows in the background. Students stand proudly in the front and middle rows, with administrators and staff standing behind them in support.

Inaugural Healthcare Fellows Signing Day Launches Future Careers in Local Healthcare

Posted on 08/01/2025

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS), in partnership with Blue Ridge Community College, AdventHealth Hendersonville, and UNC Health Pardee, proudly celebrated the first-ever class of Healthcare Fellows on Thursday during a Signing Day ceremony at Blue Ridge Community College. Nine recent graduates from East Henderson, Hendersonville, North Henderson, and West Henderson high schools […]

Three photos under the Henderson County Public Schools logo show students enjoying school meals. The first image shows two young girls smiling and talking at a cafeteria table with breakfast trays. The middle image shows a school lunch tray with soft tacos, corn, beans, milk, salsa, and sour cream. The third image shows two smiling students holding lunch trays with fruit and entrée items in the cafeteria line.

Child Nutrition Updates for the 2025-2026 School Year

Posted on 07/02/2025

As Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) remains steadfast in its commitment to providing all students with access to wholesome meals throughout their school day, we want to make you aware of some important updates regarding our Child Nutrition Program. PLEASE NOTE: The changes to our Child Nutrition Program cover two areas and impact ALL students […]

A student with long dark hair and glasses works on a computer in a classroom.

HCPS Google Account Consent & Chromebook User Agreement

Posted on 06/26/2025

Dear Parent/Guardian, At Henderson County Public Schools, we use Google Workspace for Education to support student learning. This includes tools like Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and Google Classroom. We’re asking for your permission to create (or retain) and manage a Google account for your child. Students will use this account to complete assignments, communicate with teachers, […]

Summer Meals Are Back: HCPS Announces 2025 “Meals On the Bus” Schedule

Posted on 05/28/2025

Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) will once again participate in the USDA-funded, state-administered Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to ensure children in our community have access to nutritious meals during the summer months. Beginning June 9 through July 25, 2025, the district’s “Meals On the Bus” mobile feeding program will deliver meals at no cost […]

A group of five elementary school students collaborate intently to unlock a large wooden box with combination locks, participating in a classroom or gymnasium-based problem-solving activity.

Embracing the Alternative II: The Super-Secret Spy Caper Returns for HCPS Fourth Graders

Posted on 05/21/2025

When Hurricane Helene disrupted the annual Outdoor Education Program for Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS), district staff and community partners didn’t miss a beat in finding an innovative solution. This spring, all HCPS fourth graders participated in a thrilling, school-based alternative—The Super-Secret Spy Caper, a team-building adventure created by local organization Inside Out, Inc. “A […]