509 Battle Branch Rd
Bakersville, NC 28705

Overall, this school is average. Although the environment is mostly friendly, the district lacks the gumption to effectively manage bullying and trouble makers. The teachers are caring and compassionate and the school offers rewards for good grades and behavior. What is lacking is a clear and strict disciplinary policy for those who abuse and bully other students. To be clear, there is a policy of no tolerance with outlines actions to be taken, but it is simply not enforced.

my school is Gouge elementary Bakersville, nc Teachers seems to be wonderful, My children are doing great progress over the last year and very proud of the teachers!!! If you can bye pass a couple of the office women, They seem quite snobby!!

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The administration at this school does not get involved with teachers much and sides with students and parents. Some bullies are not punished appropriately. There is a lack of diversity here in the student body, and some minority students cope through keeping silent. There is a marked lack of diversity among the staff as non-whites are either not looking for work here, or not getting hired. Good luck if you are "not from around here" as this is one of the remaining backwoods areas of Appalachia, even if Penland is there.

If i could give negative stars i would. A kindergartener waa left sitting in the classroom alone..missed his bus ..and of course the school is not at fault..and claims he wasnt alone. Obviously he was or they would have took him to his bus!!

I would never recommend this school to students with disabilities or any lgbtq+ student. As a former student, the kids with disabilities were given less help than able students and often ridiculed by teachers for not being able to perform activities as others did. The teachers and principle were discriminatory towards lgbtq+ students. I've had friends who were pulled to the side by staff and told they couldn't dress in any way showing that they were lgbtq+ and were not allowed to discuss with other students. There was heavy religious discrimination as well, one of the teachers allowed masks to be off during covid 19 in her classroom and many kids got sick. It was common to reduce lunch time as punishment and because of college classes overlapping some students did not get a lunch period some days as a result. The years that I attended, we had 3 different counselors come in and out and no real support for harassment or bullying. Do not send your child to this school.