About Claxton

Mission Statement

Our mission at Claxton Elementary School of Arts and Humanities is to cultivate a learning community where student leaders thrive and feel successful through rigorous academics supported by social and emotional learning and the arts. 

VISION STATEMENT

We, the staff of Claxton Elementary School of Arts and Humanities, will celebrate our learners by utilizing a variety of teaching methods that integrate the arts so that each student will develop his or her skills, knowledge, and character. 

 

Claxton Elementary School was built in 1924 and is located in Asheville, North Carolina, which is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Claxton was named in honor of Dr. Philander Priestly Claxton, who was a crusader of public education and former superintendent in Western North Carolina.

In 2004, the school was renovated extensively and a new cafeteria, office suite and primary grade wing was added. Asheville City Schools has five elementary schools, each with their own magnet theme. Claxton Elementary School of Arts and Humanities provides a curriculum which incorporates art, music, drama and physical education.

Serving students from Kindergarten through fifth grade, our curriculum follows the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and Essential Standards through the integration of the arts, humanities, the Fundations literacy program, and Investigations Math program. Students are practice their 21st Century skills through the integration of technology and making global connections through various tools.Our staff uses a balanced literacy approach and the Fundations Program to build a strong foundation for literacy. Likewise, Math Investigations is used to help students to develop mathematical thinking skills to support their understanding of essential math topics. Once a week, our students attend art, music, drama, and physical education for 45 minutes.

Since 2014, our school has developed the Claxton Social Justice League to explore racial equity and structural racism. Through this work, we have identified disparities at our school and are working to make a more equitable learning community.

To learn more about the school's history from the National Register of Historic Places, visit History of Claxton Elementary.