Asheville’s Claxton Elementary School celebrates 100 years of educating children
Generations of families celebrated 100 years of education at a beloved Asheville City Schools elementary school on Saturday, April 13. Claxton Elementary is turning a century old, and plenty of elementary students are celebrating getting to go to the historic school. Parents and school staff organized a huge block party event that included a performance by the Claxton Centennial student choir. Claxton opened in 1924 and was renovated 20 years ago. Inside, students decorated the halls for tours.
Looking Back at a Century of Education
Fourth grader Grea Brown proudly showed off his art class collage of the state of North Carolina. “My favorite things about the school is I have lots of friends and, um, each class is specifically picked for different kids and that’s all,” Brown said. Great proudly took News 13’s Kimberly King for a tour of Claxton. School leaders talked about the school’s history — most importantly, integration of Black students coming to Claxton in 1962. Prior to that, it was a whites-only school. The staff echoed the sentiment that they are proud of where the school has come and look forward to another century with great kids.
A Walk Through History
The event was a fantastic opportunity for former students, current students, and teachers to come together and celebrate the rich history of Claxton Elementary School. Parents reminisced about their time at the school, sharing stories of their favorite teachers, classes, and experiences. The energy at the block party was electric, with laughter and joy filling the air as everyone celebrated this momentous occasion.
Community Support and Involvement
Community members showed up in droves to support Claxton Elementary School’s centennial celebration. Local businesses sponsored the event, providing food, drinks, and fun activities for all attendees. The outpouring of support from the community highlighted the special place that Claxton holds in the hearts of Asheville residents. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and the community surrounding Claxton Elementary School exemplified this sentiment.
Looking Towards the Future
As Claxton Elementary School marks its 100th year of educating children, the focus remains on the future. School administrators, teachers, and parents are committed to providing a nurturing and enriching environment for all students who walk through the doors of Claxton. The legacy of the past 100 years serves as a strong foundation for the next century of excellence in education at the historic school.
It was a day filled with joy, laughter, and a deep sense of community as Claxton Elementary School celebrated a century of shaping young minds and making a positive impact on generations of students. Here’s to another 100 years of success, growth, and inspiration at Claxton Elementary School!
