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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Hiwassee Dam High School
Hiwassee Dam High School (HDHS) in Murphy, North Carolina serves grades 9–12 and is one of three high schools in Cherokee County Schools. It is the westernmost public school in the state of North Carolina. As of 2007 it had a full-time teaching staff of 20 teachers giving an average of 11 students per teacher. Enrollment is 139 students. The school's capacity is 361 students.

History

Hiwassee Dam school gymnasium

Hiwassee Dam School started as a public school in Cherokee County in fall 1939. It began in buildings used by the Tennessee Valley Authority during the construction of Hiwassee Dam. Four schools, Reid Chapel, Hill, Postell, and Shearer, were consolidated to create Hiwassee Dam School. During its first year in operation, there were 312 students and eight teachers. N. O. Kilpatrick was the first principal. High school classes were not taught until fall 1940.

In the mid-1940s, Clark School was consolidated into Hiwassee Dam School. Around 1954, Violet School was consolidated with Hiwassee Dam. In fall 1956, Hiwassee Dam School moved into a new 22-classroom building. The new building provided space for Friendship Elementary School to consolidate with Hiwassee Dam and for Ranger Elementary School students to attend high school at Hiwassee Dam. At that time the school had 21 teachers and 570 students.

In May 2020, the Cherokee County Board of Education voted to consolidate Andrews, Murphy, and Hiwassee Dam High Schools. A $50 million state grant was given to the school system in September 2022 to accomplish this goal. After public outcry, in January 2023 new members of the Cherokee County Board of Education voted to return the money to the state rather than move forward with the consolidation.

Awards & Distinctions

Year Award
2005 North Carolina School of Distinction
2006 North Carolina School of Progress
2007 Bronze Medal School
2008 Bronze Medal School
2009 Bronze Medal School

As of 2023, HDHS had the highest graduation rate of any high school in the county – 97 percent.

Principals

  1. N.O. Kilpatrick (1939–1940)
  2. Bascom D. Carroll (1940–1941)
  3. Harvey H. Ferguson (1941–1943)
  4. Walter B. Thomas  (1943–1947)
  5. James T. Osborne (1947–1953)
  6. Hal M. Hale (1953–1955)
  7. Harest E. King (1955–?)
  8. Daniel McNabb (–Present)

See also

References

  1. ^ Foster, Randy (September 6, 2023). "Overcrowded with campuses". Cherokee Scout. Murphy, N.C.: Community Newspapers, Inc. p. 9A.
  2. ^ "Hiwassee Dam High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  3. ^ "Hiwassee Dam High Webpage". Cherokeecounty.nc.schoolwebpages.com. August 26, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  4. ^ "Hiwassee Dam High School Statistics". Psk12.com. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  5. ^ "TVA building first house Hiwassee Dam School". Cherokee Scout. Murphy, NC. April 25, 1957. p. 4. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  6. ^ Thompson, David (May 29, 2020). "Cherokee County votes to consolidate three high schools". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Putnam, Jared (September 21, 2022). "County receives $50 million grant for consolidated high school". Cherokee Scout. Murphy, NC: Community Newspapers Inc. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Putnam, Jared (January 10, 2023). "County officially turns down grant". Cherokee Scout. Murphy, N.C.: Community Newspapers Inc.
  9. ^ "Schools growing". Cherokee Scout. Murphy, NC: Community Newspapers, Inc. January 31, 2024. pp. 2A.


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