Last Updated on November 16, 2025 4:04 pm
Building Valle Crucis School
Follow the construction of Watauga County's first new school in 15 years, from groundbreaking to completion
Nov 29, 2022
Groundbreaking
Oct 2025
School Opening
57
Photo Galleries
4
Video Playlists
Last Updated: November 16, 2025
Construction Timeline
Nearly weekly documentation from November 2022 through completion. Click on any year to expand and explore 57 photo galleries and videos from each phase of construction.
📸 Photo galleries and videos open in a new window
2025
▼2025 Video Collection
Watch all construction videos from 2025
August 2025
1 gallery📸
August 3, 2025
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
June 2025
1 gallery🚌
June 6, 2025
Last Old Valle Crucis School Bus Pickups
Photos by Kenneth Reece
May 2025
1 gallery📸
May 4, 2025
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
March 2025
1 gallery📸
March 9, 2025
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
February 2025
1 gallery📸
February 13, 2025
Construction Photos
Photos by Dr. Bonnie Smith
2024
▼2024 Video Collection
Watch all construction videos from 2024
November 2024
5 galleries📸
November 23, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
📸
November 16, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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November 8, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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November 3, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
📸
November 1, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
October 2024
4 galleries📸
October 27, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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October 19, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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October 13, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
📸
October 5, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
September 2024
5 galleries
Hurricane Helene
🌀
September 28, 2024
Post-Hurricane Helene Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
📸
September 15, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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September 8, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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September 1, 2024 (PM)
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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September 1, 2024 (AM)
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
August 2024
6 galleries📸
August 24, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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August 18, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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August 10, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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August 3, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
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August 2, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Dr. Bonnie Smith
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August 1, 2024
Construction Photos
Photos by Kenneth Reece
2023
▼2023 Video Collection
Watch all construction videos from 2023
2023 Photo Galleries
30 galleries available📚
Throughout 2023
View All 2023 Galleries
30 photo galleries documenting construction progress throughout 2023 – Click to browse all galleries
2022
▼2022 Video Collection
Watch groundbreaking and early construction videos
December 2022
1 gallery📸
December 11, 2022
Early Construction
Photos by Kenneth Reece
November 2022
1 gallery🎉
November 29, 2022
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Historic groundbreaking – Photos by Kenneth Reece
Video Archive
Comprehensive video documentation organized by year – 4 complete playlists
🎬 All playlists open in a new window on YouTube
2025 Videos
Latest construction documentation
2024 Videos
Major construction progress
2023 Videos
Building phase documentation
2022 Videos
Groundbreaking & early work
Project Details
Comprehensive information about the Valle Crucis School construction project
Why Valle Crucis Needed a New School
- Identified in 2017 architectural study as requiring complete replacement
- First new K-8 elementary school since Cove Creek in 1995
- Addressing flooding concerns at old location
- Modernizing educational facilities for 21st-century learning
The Design
- Two-story classroom wing for modern learning environments
- Activity wing with cafeteria, gym, and music rooms
- Wood siding, stone, and metal reflecting Valle Crucis' agrarian heritage
- Historic Commission-approved design using local materials
- Boardwalk across creek connecting to Watauga River trail
Project Partners
- Owner: Watauga County Schools
- Architect: Clark Nexsen
- Contractor: H&M Construction (MB Haynes Corporation)
- Oversight: Watauga County Commissioners
The Journey
- Land Purchase: 14.4 acres on Broadstone Road ($1.1 million)
- Groundbreaking: November 29, 2022
- Construction Period: 2022-2025
- Capacity: 400 students (PK-8)
- Opening: October 2025
Photo Documentation Credits
Nearly weekly documentation by Kenneth Reece/WataugaOnline.com and Dr. Bonnie Smith
November 2022 through completion • 57 photo galleries • 4 video playlists
