Last Updated on May 17, 2026 10:23 am
Watauga County Schools dedicated its new Valle Crucis School on Saturday morning in a ceremony that drew students, families, elected officials, and community members to the campus at 2736 Broadstone Road in Banner Elk — marking the completion of the first new K-8 school built in the county since Cove Creek School opened in 1995, and the first new school of any kind since Watauga High School.
The outdoor ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. in the school's courtyard, with students, dignitaries, and guests seated in front of the new building. A ribbon-cutting followed, with tours and a reception held inside afterward.
Watauga County Schools Superintendent Dr. Leslie Alexander delivered the welcome and opening remarks. Dr. Gary Childers, chair of the WCS Board of Education, also addressed the gathering. Watauga County Commissioners Chair Braxton Eggers spoke on behalf of the county. U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, who represents North Carolina's 5th Congressional District, also spoke at the ceremony. Former WCS Board of Education Vice-Chair Steve Combs and former Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott — both of whom oversaw significant portions of the project during their tenures — offered remarks reflecting on the effort required to bring the school to completion. Valle Crucis School Principal Dr. Bonnie Smith delivered the closing remarks before the ribbon-cutting. A Valle Crucis student performed a guitar solo during the program, and students led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A dedication plaque installed inside the school records the names of the officials who served during the project. The Watauga County Board of Commissioners listed on the plaque includes Braxton Eggers, Todd Castle, John Welch, Billy Kennedy, Larry Turnbow, Perry Yates, Carrington Pertalion, Charlie Wallin, and Ray Russell. The Watauga County Board of Education members listed are Dr. Gary Childers, Steve Combs, Jay Fenwick, Jason Cornett, Marshall Ashcraft, Ron Henries, and Brenda Reese. County Manager Deron Geouque is also recognized. The plaque lists Clark Nexsen Architecture and Engineering as architect and H&M Constructors as contractor.
The new PK-8 school sits on 14.4 acres on Broadstone Road purchased by the county for $1.1 million. Construction began with a groundbreaking on November 29, 2022, and the school welcomed students in October 2025 — nearly three years from start to opening.
The need for a new school had been documented since a 2017 architectural study identified the original Valle Crucis School as requiring complete replacement. Flooding concerns at the old location and the need to modernize facilities for current educational standards were cited as driving factors. The building's design reflects the character of the Valle Crucis community, incorporating wood siding, stone, and metal materials and receiving approval from the Historic Commission. The facility includes a two-story classroom wing alongside an activity wing housing a cafeteria, gymnasium, and music rooms, with a boardwalk connecting the campus across a creek to the Watauga River trail. The school is designed to serve up to 400 students.
Video tours of the new facility are available below.
WataugaOnline.com documented the construction project from groundbreaking through completion, publishing 57 photo galleries and four video playlists spanning nearly weekly visits to the site. The full construction archive is available at wataugaonline.com/new-valle-crucis-school-project/.
