Mountain Discovery

What a sweet, small school. I feel so comfortable sending my child to MDSC. Teachers set up individualized programs for kids in math and reading. Kids are encouraged to be kids while being held accountable for their actions. My child is always going on great field trips, including a camping trip. I wish there was a school counselor to assist the behavior specialist and director. They have a good music and art program, although I wish they were full time and my child had more of both. They don't have a gym, but they do the best they can with what they have. The best thing is knowing that my child is safe and happy there.

I love this school. The middle school set up is hands down the best around.

Kindergarten is great! After that it goes down hill fast. The teachers are condescending, Especially the 4th grade. She has no problem cutting off your conversation when you are not saying what she wants to hear. Parent involvement is not really accepted, unless it is to do maintenance and other labor chores. There are no sports programs other than to run laps up and down a mountain on pavement. They have no problem with punishment for wrong doing but very little to no praise for good accomplishments. Our son has been going here for 4 1/2 years and we will be taking him out in the middle of the school year because it has gotten so bad. She shows favoritism to her daughter who is in her class this year. There is very little experiential learning, that we were looking forward to and is the reason we started our son's education here. The principal has no clue as to safe conditions during the winter. When other schools in the area are closed due to weather he will have the school remain open at risk of student safety. We are very disappointed with how the school is turning out. Each year we had hoped things would get better, but it seems to be going the other way and we will not subject our son to inferior education and teachers.

Middle school is a disappointment. Students in 6th language arts are parked in front of a computer with no real instruction. Music teacher is part time and not even certified, band is a joke. No lunch or breakfast, no sports or gym. For PE my kid ran the driveway loop everyday. Small schools, but the principles touted on the website are deceiving. Science is hardly ever done, expeditionary principles not followed. Check out the local county schools (Swain, Jackson). They are a thousand times better.

Academic programs are not superior to other schools. Teachers are not better qualified than other schools, nor is teaching philosophy alternate, so the program does not stand out. School does not offer any unique art or music, sports are essentially not available. Parent involvement is shut out. Facilities are abysmal, each class meets in a trailer with no separate facilities for lunch or sports. Heating and cooling units are very loud in each room. Most concern is the behavior system, the school is heavy on punishments with no consistent system for rewarding students.

A complete failure! Poor instruction, supervision and treatment of students. Teachers seem scared of the administration. A weird group think like mentality as school culture. Parental involvement is no longer welcomed. An incompetent and angry school board. Your kids would be better off anywhere else

Very unhappy with the instruction in Middle School. No real science curriculum. Teacher does not follow Expeditionary Learning Principles. School Director is not qualified for the position. The school board is ineffective. No Gym, no lunches, no sports. Mobile homes for classrooms. Swain County schools shine in comparison.