2958 E Saint Marks Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27103

Bolton is the local school for the Ardmore/Hawthorne community which is primarily comprised of middle-class homes with college educated parents. However, 99% of students come from low-income families—it’s right here on great schools. That is because Ardmore families do not send their children to Bolton. There are six families on my block with young elementary kids and now that I have withdrawn my child...zero attend Bolton. It's private school or home school. Bolton buses children in from across the city for diversity in a huge gerrymandered school zone that doesn’t serve anyone properly.The culture is not conducive to learning and is focused on discipline, procedure, and lots of worksheets. Our daughter was here less that 4 months and we had two incidents of her having to defend herself from pushing and touching her clothes by little boys. We also had to opt-out of homework because our kindergartener was given assignments to complete over the course of a month. You get to choose the assignments, but kindergarteners should NOT have homework.The school looks like the just one I attended for elementary 30 years ago, it’s very old and run down except for large tv’s in every classroom. It did always appear clean though. They use an app called Classdojo to communicate with you, but you have to send written letters to them about everything even with phone calls and app messages. They tell you not to send your child with any sickness whatsoever, yet badger you about an absence. There is no accountability, everything is blamed on their "Systems" and "Procedures."You’re treated as if you should be grateful, you as a parent ,are allowed a modicum of inclusion in your child’s education. We’re completely done with public school and WSFCS in general halfway through Kindergarten due our experience here.If you parent intentionally, please consider other options before sending your child here.

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School is inconsistent with their dress code, teachers don’t get held accountable for their actions, teachers are more interested in the students drama than giving the students their education. Receptionist is rude and doesn’t help solve any problems.

One of the worst decisions I’ve ever made I didn’t have motivation to come to class and always felt like an outsider. A lot of teachers are hard and dont think about how we have a life outside of school.

I taught at this school for many years and have nothing but positive things to say about the students, parents, and staff members. I am filled with pride when I think about my time at the school and miss teaching there very much. The students are challenged academically and held to high standards, but they generally rise to and exceed these standards. The college professors in particular will hold the kids to account, and it shows in their development both as students and individuals. If you want your child to develop a strong work ethic, feel supported by both their peers and teachers, and grow into thoughtful, respectful, and diligent individuals, send them to this school!Please be mindful that this school is not for everyone. Students will be enrolled in college courses immediately and this has proven to be difficult for some individuals. The school also does not offer after-school sports (students can still participate, just at their neighborhood school), however there is an abundance of clubs on various days that almost all students participate in. Parents also need to understand that micromanaging their students' coursework is a no-go here. College professors sometimes outright refuse to speak with parents as they only communicate with the students themselves. Don't be turned off by this - it simply encourages the students to learn how to speak to their professors when they need help (questions, extensions, etc). In my opinion, this is one of the most important life skills that is taught at the school. That being said, parents are still a HUGE part of the Early College family and are encouraged to volunteer whenever possible. The school provides ample opportunities for families to get involved and participate in their kids' high school experience. I truly loved my experience here. I am so proud of my students and I had so much fun watching them develop into incredible, thoughtful, intelligent, and creative individuals.