Community Schools

Enka Middle Community School

A community school is a public school—the hub of its neighborhood, uniting families, educators and community partners to provide all students with top-quality academics, enrichment, health and social services, and opportunities to succeed in school and in life.

The 4 Pillars of a Community School are:

  • Integrated Student Supports

  • Collaborative Leadership

  • Authentic Family & Community Engagement

  • Expanded Learning Time

Through the support of United Way of Asheville Buncombe County, students and families at Enka Middle have access to community volunteers for before-school and lunchtime tutoring and mentoring, in-class student enrichment programming, after-school parent and family programming, and a number of beautification and school improvement projects. This year we are thrilled to partner with many local agencies to be able to host the following programs at Enka Middle:

  • Homework Diner weekly community engagement event that includes a catered meal offered to the community, teachers and volunteers available to provide homework help and other community representatives present to provide services and resources.

  • Early Warning & Response System to help teachers, administrators and partners identify students who are starting to fall off track.

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring group for young women.

  • Journeymen mentoring group for young men.

  • ACCESS Family Services free mental health & emotional student support.

  • Literacy Council of Buncombe County English Language classes for parents
    Jet Setters Student Diversity & Leadership Group.

  • Parent Leadership Program that puts parents in the classroom with teachers and provides professional and personal development opportunities.

  • Buncombe Alternatives Teen Court which allows students with first time OSS offenses an opportunity to complete community restoring assignments in lieu of missing school.

  • Career Day where students spend the day learning about possible career and education paths from local volunteers.

  • Reality Store where students learn how much it really costs to make it through the month on a budget.

All of the services are provided at no cost to the school, students, families or community members, and we hope many in the Enka-Candler community will take advantage of these programs. We look forward to continuing to grow our offerings, so keep an eye out for communication throughout the year informing you of new events, as well as opportunities to help out. If you are interested in volunteering or would like additional information about any of the programs, please contact Community School Coordinator Ginny Spencer at ginny.spencer@bcsemail.org.