Susan Mertz

Evergreen is an innovative public charter school serving grades k through 8. The school opened its doors in 1999 and now has 444 students from four counties in Western North Carolina. At Evergreen, character development is as important as academic success. We believe that environmental education and service learning are ways in which to achieve this balance. Our vision is to develop thoughtful, caring human beings who are compassionate, self-reflective, critical thinkers aware of the inherent meaning and value in all life. Some of Evergreen’s other accomplishments are: • 2014-2015 – Evergreen’s third grade lead teacher Chris Weaver won North Carolina’s Charter School Teacher of the Year. • 2012- Named a Green Ribbon School by the US Department of Education in the program’s inaugural year for exercising a comprehensive approach to creating “green” environments through reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education that prepares students with the 21st century skills and sustainability concepts needed in the growing global economy. • 2010-2011 – Evergreen’s middle school science teacher Stuart Miles won North Carolina’s Charter School Teacher of the Year. • 2010 – Received the Exceptional Environmental Education Center by the Environmental Educators of North Carolina for our commitment to creating an environmentally literate student body and encouraging students to educate the general public about important environmental issues. • 2009 – Received charter renewal for 10 years and achieved full SACS CASI accreditation through AdvancED, an organization that advances excellence in education worldwide. Mission Statement: Evergreen is a learning community committed to the pursuit of excellence in holistic education of mind, body, and spirit. We prepare students for successful lifelong learning, environmental responsibility, and service. We value the voice of every member of our community.