Frequently Asked Questions for MACS Website

Mount Airy City Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

B. H. Tharrington Primary J. J. Jones Intermediate Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy High

PreK-2nd 3rd-5th 6th-8th 9th-12th

Frequently Asked Questions - Homeschool Partnership - Click Here

Mount Airy City Schools Central Office/Departments

Career and Technical Education Dual Language Immersion

Exceptional Children Facilities Grants Human Resources

Maintenance School Nutrition Student Services Teaching and Learning Technology

Testing Transportation Tuition

Tharrington Primary School (PreK-2)

Who do I call about…? We have a Who to Call list that is helpful in knowing who to contact with specific needs. Your child’s teacher, office staff, and administrators will also be able to help direct you with your needs and concerns.
How do I enroll my child in school? Please visit our Enrollment Forms page.
How old does my child need to be for pre-kindergarten? Children must be 4 years old on or before August 31 of the year they are starting school. Two programs are offered at BHT: Cubs PreK and NCPreK. Cubs PreK is a paid program serving 3 and 4-year-olds, while NCPreK serves primarily 4-year-olds and has a set of requirements to be met.
How old does my child need to be for kindergarten? Children must be 5 years old on or before August 31 of the year they are starting school.
What special classes are available to students? Special classes available to students include: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), physical education, art, music, Spanish, media/keyboarding, and guidance.
What technology is available to students? All students have access to technology. Some examples found throughout our classrooms include iPads, Ozobots, Ozmos, and more. All students are issued an iPad to use for instruction.
I believe my child is academically gifted. What is offered for gifted students? Students are not identified as Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) until the fourth grade. However, we provide enrichment to students through our nurturing program at BH Tharrington Primary, which is determined by teachers and our administrative team. We also believe in differentiated learning within every classroom, which ensures our teachers are facilitating learning to reach every child at their point of need daily. You can learn more about AIG in MACS by clicking here.
Are there athletics available for my child? While our elementary students do not have athletic teams available through school, we partner with Mount Airy Parks and Recreation and Reeves Community Center, where students have a wide range of options available. Click here to access the offerings found through Mount Airy Parks and Recreation.
How do I schedule a tour and/or meeting with the principal? Families interested in learning more about our school can call our front office, where someone will be happy to help you schedule a tour and/or meeting. Families can also click here to fill out a form for a tour.
What is the cost of attending Mount Airy City Schools? We are a proud public school system. Students living within our district boundaries attend for free. Students outside of the district boundaries and within the state of North Carolina will have a tuition fee. If you live outside of our school district and wish to attend MACS, please call us at 336-786-8355. Students attending Cubs PreK at BHT pay $145 a week.

Jones Intermediate School (3-5)

Who do I call about…? We have a Who to Call list that is helpful in knowing who to contact with specific needs. Your child’s teacher, office staff, and administrators will also be able to help direct you with your needs and concerns.
What classes are available to students? Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science. Special classes available to students include: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), physical education, art, music, media/keyboarding, guidance, and Spanish.
What access do students have to the media center? Students are provided the opportunity to access the media center through their homeroom teacher during scheduled times and upon request.
What technology is available to students? All students will be issued an iPad for instructional support and enrichment opportunities.
I believe my child is academically gifted. What is offered for gifted students? Students are typically not identified as Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) until the fourth grade. This determination is made by a team. We also believe in differentiated learning within every classroom, which ensures our teachers are facilitating learning to reach every child at their point of need daily. We have more information regarding Academically and Intellectually Gifted services here.
Are there athletics available for my child? While our elementary students do not have athletic teams available through school, we partner with Mount Airy Parks and Recreation and Reeves Community Center, where students have a wide range of options available. Click here to access the offerings found through Mount Airy Parks and Recreation.
How do I schedule a tour and/or meeting with the principal? Families interested in learning more about our school can call our front office, where someone will be happy to help you schedule a tour and/or meeting. Families can also click here to fill out a form for a tour.
What is the cost of attending Mount Airy City Schools? We are a proud public school system. Students living within our district boundaries attend for free. Students outside of the district boundaries and within the state of North Carolina will have a tuition fee. If you live outside of our school district and wish to attend MACS, please call our Central Office at 336-786-8355.

Mount Airy Middle School (6-8)

Who do I call about…? We have a Who to Call list that is helpful in knowing who to contact with specific needs. Your child’s teacher, office staff, and administrators will also be able to help direct you with your needs and concerns.
What classes are available to students? Students have four core classes, including Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. Additionally, students can choose their exploratory classes (2 per semester) as well as their innovation block. A description for these courses can be found below.
Do students get to choose their classes? Students can choose from a variety of options for their Exploratory Courses (6th, 7th, 8th) and Innovation Block Courses.
What technology is available to students? Our classrooms are 1:1 with devices in all grade levels for instructional support and enrichment opportunities. Exploratory Teachers also have devices to supplement learning within their area.
What academic clubs are available for students? Our students participate in academic clubs and competitions during the Innovation Block each day. Students can choose from a wide variety of clubs in the areas of science, robotics, the arts, and technology. We participate in the NCASA competitions. Information on these events can be found at http://ncscholastic.org/.
I believe my child is academically gifted. What is offered for gifted students? We have information regarding Academically and Intellectually Gifted services here. Please see the question below for additional information about advanced coursework, which is a primary service for gifted students at the middle school level.
Can my child earn high school credits through Mount Airy Middle School’s course offerings? Yes! Mount Airy Middle School offers the following AIG programming options:

Sixth and seventh-grade students can take an advanced math course.

Eighth-grade AIG students may choose to take Math 1, English 1, Earth/Environmental Science,

American History, and Spanish 1 and receive high school credit upon passing the course. Math 1 and

English 1 has strict requirements for entry, including a teacher recommendation and a Level 5 on the

seventh-grade EOG. Earth/Environmental Science and American History will require teacher

recommendations for entry into the class. Note: All AIG students also receive differentiated

assignments within the regular education classroom, which are designed by classroom teachers. This

is in alignment with each AIG student's differentiated education plan (DEP).

Are there athletics available for my child? Yes! Athletics available at Mount Airy Middle School can be found by clicking here.
What are the eligibility requirements for participating in school athletics? Click here to learn about the requirements for playing sports at Mount Airy Middle School.
What are the requirements for participating in school athletics? Students must be enrolled for ½ a day as a student to participate in sports at middle school. Click here to see the requirements set forth by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Scroll down the page and look for “Checklists” to see the full set of requirements.
How do I complete the required paperwork for my child to participate in athletics? Parents can complete the required paperwork by clicking here.
How do I schedule a tour and/or meeting with the principal? Families interested in learning more about our school can call our front office, where someone will be happy to help you schedule a tour and/or meeting. Families can also click here to fill out a form for a tour.
What is the cost of attending Mount Airy City Schools? We are a proud public school system. Students living within our district boundaries attend for free. Students outside of the district boundaries and within the state of North Carolina will have a tuition fee. If you live outside of our school district and wish to attend MACS, please call us at 336-786-8355.

Mount Airy High School (9-12)

Who do I call about…? We have a Who to Call list that is helpful in knowing who to contact with specific needs. Your child’s teacher, office staff, and administrators will also be able to help direct you with your needs and concerns.
What classes are available to students? Classes available to students can be found by visiting here.
Do students get to choose their classes? Each year, students meet with Student Support Staff to select classes for the next school year that align with their post-secondary goals. Students select a combination of courses required to graduate and elective courses, all of which can be found in our course selection guide.
What technology is available to students?

Primarily, iPads are used throughout MAHS. Some courses have additional technology specific to the content, such as iMacs for Adobe classes.

What academic clubs are available for students? Art Showcase, National History Day, Quill, and Quiz Bowl
I believe my child is academically gifted. What is offered for gifted students? We have information regarding Academically and Intellectually Gifted services here.
Can my child earn college credits through Mount Airy High School’s course offerings? Yes! Visit Mount Airy High School’s Counseling & Guidance page to learn about the available college credits that can be earned by clicking here.
Can my child take Driver's Education through Mount Airy High School? Yes! Please contact Mount Airy High School’s Main Office and ask for Mrs. Caitlin Frazier. The number is 336-789-5147 There is a $65 fee per student.
Are there athletics available for my child? Yes! Click here to see the full list of athletic opportunities available at Mount Airy High School.
What are the requirements for participating in school athletics? Click here to see the requirements set forth by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Scroll down the page and look for “Checklists” to see the full set of requirements.
How do I schedule a tour and/or meeting with the principal? Families interested in learning more about our school can call our front office, where someone will be happy to help you schedule a tour and/or meeting. Families can also click here to fill out a form for a tour.
What is the cost of attending Mount Airy City Schools? We are a proud public school system. Students living within our district boundaries attend for free. Students outside of the district boundaries and within the state of North Carolina will have a tuition fee. If you live outside of our school district and wish to attend MACS, please call us at 336-786-8355.

Mount Airy City Schools Central Office/Departments

Teaching and Learning

What does teaching and learning include? Visit our Teaching and Learning page to see all of the departments that are included in this work.

Gifted Education

How is a child identified as Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG)? Details can be found on our AIG page.
When does a child become identified as AIG? * During the spring of a child’s 2nd-grade school year, the CogAt will be administered at BH Tharrington Primary School. This will be used as a criterion piece for AIG identification if the student has not yet been identified. The district AIG team will collaboratively assess the criteria points for students entering 3rd grade. The team then works closely with 3rd-grade classroom teachers and the AIG specialist at Jones Intermediate. This process includes push-in services with the AIG teacher in the regular education classroom, as well as building a portfolio of data known as the comprehensive student profile about those who are possibly being identified. The district and our AIG team believe that every child exhibits their giftedness in different ways; therefore, we rely on more than test scores to make this final decision during the spring and summer, before 4th-grade students will be notified in writing if they are officially identified as AIG. While it is extremely rare, K-2 students can be identified as AIG prior to taking the CogAT in 2nd grade. These students exhibit extraordinarily high levels of achievement when compared to their peers. However, the requirements are extremely rigorous and are subject to intense review in order to ensure that students are accurately identified. Again, most students will not fall into this category.

What are the options for being identified as AIG? Students may qualify for AIG in math, reading, or both areas. The AIG identification ensures that teachers see where the child needs to be enriched to meet their potential.
What are the current AIG services provided to students identified?

AIG services will look different depending on a child’s age. Students in kindergarten through 2nd grade who are not yet identified as AIG but are exhibiting signs of giftedness at BHT may be served in the nurturing services that are specific to the school. The nurturing services allow students to be served in a pull-out setting that personalizes their learning experiences to meet their individual needs. In the rare instance that a K-2 student has been identified as AIG, the student will also be served in a personalized pull-out setting.
Jones Intermediate School has a full-time AIG teacher who serves identified students in grades 4th-5th. These services include a variety of pull-out services that allow some students to learn within the AIG classroom. Other services include the AIG teacher pushing into the regular education classroom to develop working relationships with the AIG students. The AIG program at Jones includes opportunities to engage in design thinking, inquiry-based learning experiences, the Math Fair, and rich literary activities. The AIG specialist is highly qualified in AIG and works closely with classroom teachers to provide the best support possible for each individual student.
Mount Airy Middle School serves AIG students within the classrooms. If needed, some AIG students will participate in grade advancement courses like Math I, Earth and Environmental Science, and English I. These eligible students have the opportunity to earn high school credit during their middle school years. This provides a great opportunity for advancing their academics, but is also a conversation that should be thoroughly investigated with the core teacher, school counselor, and/or school administration; advanced coursework can impact a student’s social and emotional learning needs. Enrichment is also provided through Innovation Block, where students are provided with the choice to attend things like Battle of the Books, Mock Trial, or HOSA; these times allow them to find their personal passions and engage in academically based competitions.
Mount Airy High School serves AIG students by allowing student choice in their course selections. Students may select Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or college-level courses provided through Surry Community College. These courses are all provided to high school students at $0 tuition costs through the Career and College Promise (CCP) program. In addition, AIG students have the opportunity to apply for the NC School of Science and Math coursework. Families of AIG students are encouraged to work closely with the school counselor, Alicia Henson, to help their student make the best choices, which align with their post-secondary learning goals.

Career and Technical Education

My child is interested in doing an internship. Who do we talk to? The Career Development Coordinator at Mount Airy High School would be the contact for High School Internships.
Can my child take classes at Surry Community College in Career Tech? Yes, if you are a junior or senior, see Alicia Henson, the School Counselor at Mount Airy High School.
How do you expose my child to various careers? Our district uses a platform called XELLO. Students gain self-knowledge through assessments and reflection. They will create a career development plan that will save careers, schools, programs, and experiences to form a vibrant, visual roadmap that’s easy to update and share. This plan follows them through 12th grade. Beginning in the 5th grade, we have a career exploratory focus that includes a variety of special events, field trips, and guest speakers. Students begin building their Xello accounts in the 6th grade. Personalized career plans may be discussed with our Career Development Coordinator (CDC) and/or school counselors.
Can my child earn a Career Readiness Credential? Yes, if they score at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze level on the WorkKeys Exam.
How can I learn more about the CTE course offerings at Mount Airy High School? See Alicia Henson, Haley Zurita, or MAHS Career Development Coordinators about CTE course offerings.
What CTSOs are available for my child to experience? CTSOs that are offered are National FFA Organization (FFA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), HOSA – Future Health Professionals, SkillsUSA, and Technology Student Association (TSA)

Exceptional Children

If I have concerns about my child’s development, who is not yet school age, what do I do? Call the central office at 336-786-8355 and ask to speak to Kini Brindle to talk about current concerns as well as the process of referral if that is warranted.
What services are available for my 3-5-year-old? For 3 to 5-year-old children, the school system can provide exceptional children’s services if the child is diagnosed with a disability that would impact their ability to make progress toward their education and pre-readiness skills for kindergarten. Various options for service delivery are available and will be determined by the IEP team. If you have questions about these services, contact Kini Brindle at the central office at 336-786-8355 to discuss options.
I have concerns about my child. How do I make a parent referral? Referral or request for evaluation: If a parent suspects their child may have a disability, they may submit a request for evaluation. Requests must ultimately be submitted in writing. The referral letter should clearly state what the concerns are and that the parent would like to pursue evaluation for the purpose of determining possible special education eligibility. The letter must be signed and dated. School staff members are obligated to assist the parent in drafting the letter if parents indicate that assistance is needed. Once drafted, the letter should be submitted to the school counselor, school administration, or EC staff.
What does the evaluation process look like? General Evaluation Process: An IEP Team, which includes the parent, would meet and complete a Special Education Referral. During this meeting, the team will review information about the student’s strengths and weaknesses, results of any interventions, information about educational history and daily classroom performance, state testing results (if available), etc. Based on a review of the information, the team will decide if further data is needed to determine eligibility. If additional data is needed to make any determinations, parental consent is required to conduct further evaluations/screenings. Evaluations requested by the team will be completed, and an IEP Team, of which the parent is a part, will meet to review results and determine if the student meets the requirements for one or more of the 14 disability categories recognized within North Carolina. If the disability has an adverse effect on educational performance and requires specially designed instruction, the student is found eligible for special education. Once the team determines eligibility for special education, the team will develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that outlines the services that will be provided to the student.

Facilities

What spaces are available to rent? To rent a space at the Community Central Office, please contact us at 336-786-8355. If you would like to rent a space at a school, please call the school.
Who do I contact to rent a gym? If you would like to rent a gym at a school, please call the school.
Do I have to pay to rent a space? Most spaces have rental fees. If you have any questions, you may call the location you would like to rent for details.
How much does it cost to rent a space? Most spaces have rental fees. Click here to view fees.

Finance - Employees Only

I’m thinking about retiring. What do I do? Click here for information concerning retirement and to see if you are eligible. Log in or create an Orbit account and complete the benefits estimator. Once you are ready to retire, contact Andy Mehaffey at the Central Office to set up a time to complete your application.
How do I change my tax deductions? You can change your deductions in Timekeeper through managing requests or by completing new W-4 and NC-4 forms located in Canvas or the Mount Airy City Schools website at this link.
How do I change direct deposit information? You may download this form. A voided check must be attached. Due to recent scams across the state at other districts, this form must be turned in to Amy Sawyers in payroll in hard copy form no later than 2 weeks prior to that month’s pay date.
How do I get reimbursed for travel or professional development? Download the monthly travel form for in-county “routine” mileage. When requesting reimbursement for professional development, including meals, lodging, and mileage, download the professional development reimbursement form. Both forms are located in Canvas or the Mount Airy City Schools website.

Grants

I am a teacher. How can I get help writing a grant? All MACS staff are encouraged to advocate for their classroom/school/program. Grant writing is a great way for teachers to advocate and be empowered to continue providing innovative learning experiences for our students. Our MACS Innovation and Grants Team is here to support all teachers through their grant-writing adventures. Please reach out to Penny Ballin for assistance.
As a teacher, what are the steps I need to know before proceeding with writing a grant? Teachers should communicate their intentions and grant work to their school-based administration prior to any grant submissions. Most grants have multiple requirements that must be met both before submission and prior to the release of funds. It’s essential to fully understand the commitments these grant-funded projects may place on your school or district. To support this process, early discussions are crucial. Penny Ballin is available to help review potential grants and their requirements.
What are the most common grants made available to MACS teachers annually? The Bright Ideas grant is sponsored by NC Electric Cooperatives and awarded annually. The Zach Smith grant, facilitated through the Winston-Salem Foundation, is offered to MACS teachers each school year. Both the Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education (BOE) and the Mount Airy City Schools Educational Foundation now also offer the annual cycle of teacher grants. Penny Ballin serves as the contact for all of these grants.

Human Resources

How do I apply for a position? You can see our current opening and apply through TalentEd.
Do you offer local supplements? Yes! You can find them here.
What do I need to know about the Family Medical Leave Act? Everything you need to know is here.
How do I apply for or renew my license? Licensure processes are found here.
Interested in retirement? Click here to learn more.
Where do I find personnel policies? Policies pertaining to personnel can be found here.
Something wrong? Grievance? Have you spoken with the person closest to the work? The teacher? The principal? It is best practice to first take your concerns to the person who can have a direct impact on improving the situation. If you have already taken these steps, feel free to contact us at 336-786-8355. Explain your concern to the person who answers the phone, and they will direct you to the appropriate department.

Maintenance

How do I make a maintenance request? Each school’s principal is the contact for school-based requests.
How many people make up the maintenance department? We have three individuals dedicated to maintenance in our district.

School Nutrition

What do school meals cost? School meals (breakfast and lunch) will be FREE for all students for the 2025-2026 school year, since our district qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
What are we having for lunch tomorrow? Click here to find out. Menus are posted monthly.
Do we provide catering services? Yes. Learn more here.
Do we offer a summer feeding program? Absolutely. Learn more here.
Do you have any job openings? We are always looking for good substitutes. Please fill out a job application from the Central Office, fill it out, and return it to the Central Office.

Student Services

How do I enroll a new student? All information needed to enroll a new student in the MACS district can be found on the MACS website using the Enrollment Forms link under the Students & Families tab or by clicking here. If you have any further questions when trying to enroll a student, please do not hesitate to contact the data manager at the appropriate school.
How do I submit for a Student Reassignment (Student Transfer) if my child is out of the district? Complete a Student Reassignment form that can be obtained from your district of service. All discretionary admissions decisions will be made in a manner that is not arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory, prohibited by state or federal law, or for personal or political reasons. Additional information can be obtained on the MACS website by viewing Policy 4130 Discretionary Admission.
How do I update my child’s address and/or phone numbers? Contact the data manager at your child’s school to update this information. If your address has changed, you will need to provide valid proof of residency.
What happened to PowerSchool? The state changed vendors for its student information system. The district changed to Infinite Campus for the 2025-2026 school year.
How do I gain access to Infinite Campus to view my students’ grades and attendance? Parents will have the opportunity to sign up for a Parent Portal account soon.
How do I reset my Infinite Campus password? More information coming soon.
How do I get a copy of my high school transcript? Contact Caitlin Frazier by email and/or phone: cfrazier@mtairy.k12.nc.us or 336-789-5147. You may also visit our website (District or MAHS), click Contact Us, and Transcript Request.

Technology

What is the device ratio at the schools? 1:1 at all schools
How many total devices are in the district? Approximately 2700
How many staff members make up the Technology Department? 1 Chief Officer of Technology, 1 Technology Coordinator, 1 Network Technician

Testing

What tests will my child take this year? A complete list of all state tests that will be administered can be found on the MACS website using the Accountability link under the District tab. An overview of the NC Testing Program can be found on the NC Public Schools website, as well as a Family Guide to Assessments Video.
Where can I find practice End of Grade (EOG) and End of Course (EOC) tests to review with my child? Released test forms/items may be used by parents and the general public in gaining a greater understanding of how the NC grade-level content standards for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are measured. Released Forms for EOGs and Released Forms for EOCs can be found on the NC Public Schools website.
What is the purpose of the NC Check-Ins? NC Check-Ins are interim assessments developed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction that are aligned to the NC grade-level content standards in Reading and Mathematics for grades 3 - 8 and Science for grades 5 and 8. These assessments are given three times during the school year, leading up to the End of Grade assessment. The main purpose of the NC Check-Ins is to provide students, teachers, parents, and stakeholders with immediate, in-depth action data and a reliable estimate of students’ current performance on the selected subset of content standards. Both the end-of-grade (EOG) assessments and the NC Check-Ins share a common item bank, which then exposes NC Check-In students to similar item types and rigor found on the EOGs. NC Check-Ins are also available for NC Math 1, NC Math 3, English II, and Biology at the high school level. More in-depth information about the NC Check-Ins can be found on the NC Public Schools website.
How do I know what the Achievement Level that my student scored on the End of Grade or End of Course Exam represents? Detailed Achievement Level Descriptors can be found for End of Grade Achievement Level Descriptors, End of Course Achievement Level Descriptors, and EXTEND1 Achievement Level Descriptors assessments on the NC Public Schools website.

Transportation

How do I get my child set up with bus transportation? Contact the school your child attends and ask to speak to the data manager.
How do I change my child’s bus transportation? All transportation requests are handled by the data manager at the school your child attends. If you are requesting bus transportation for the first time or a change in bus transportation, please note that it may take 1-3 days for your request to be processed once the school office submits your request. Requests submitted just prior to the school year beginning and those submitted in the first two weeks of school will take an extended amount of time to process due to the volume of requests received at that time.
Does the bus come to my house? If your residence is within the Mount Airy City School District, your child is eligible for bus transportation. All bus stops are set up within 1 mile of where your driveway meets a state-maintained road. Your child may be set up for transportation to and from a group bus stop. Contact our transportation department if you have any questions regarding group stops or front door stops.
Do I have to be home for the bus to drop my child off? Pre-K students must have an adult present at the bus stop in the morning and afternoon. Only the adults listed on the PreK Transportation Request Form will be allowed to receive a student at the bus stop each afternoon. K-3rd-grade students must have an adult at home to be dropped off. 4th-grade students and up may be dropped off at home without an adult present.
Who do I share my concerns with regarding behavior on the bus? Any concerns regarding bus behavior should be shared with the principal of the school your child attends.
When and how will I know my child’s bus schedule? Our district communicates all bus information for the upcoming school year on the date of our first scheduled open house each August. We use the ‘Here Comes the Bus’ app to communicate all bus information. Please sign up for this app by following the instructions on our district website. You may also request a printout from the office of the school your child attends with step-by-step instructions. The app will show your child’s bus stop location and the scheduled pick-up and drop-off times. This app is GPS-based, so the bus arrival times will fluctuate according to the current location of the bus. Please check the app regularly for schedule changes. Your child’s scheduled pick-up and drop-off times will change throughout the year as the students are added or removed from the bus route. If your child is assigned to a group bus stop, the actual address of their bus stop may not match your home address.

Tuition

We live in Mount Airy. Does that mean our child will attend Mount Airy City schools? The lines for the City of Mount Airy and Mount Airy City Schools are not the same. Check the GIS to be sure of your home’s school district.
Do we live within Mount Airy City Schools' limits? Visit the Surry County GIS website and follow the directions below to see if your home is within the Mount Airy City Schools boundaries.

Type your address in the "Search by address" field
Click the "layers" tab
Check the "elementary school districts, middle school districts, high school districts" checkboxes
Addresses within the “Mt. Airy” school district will be gray and have the words “Mt. Airy”

Tuition Rates:

In County - $200, each additional child $100
Out of County - $600, each additional child $300
Out of State - $1330, each additional child $665

Mount Airy City Schools - Homeschool Partnership FAQS

B. H. Tharrington Primary School (K-2)

What classes are available to homeschool students? Classes available to homeschool students include STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), physical education, art, music, Spanish, and Leader in Me. Core areas such as reading and math are also available for families seeking a higher level of involvement. Please contact us to learn more.

Where can I find the schedule regarding classes available to homeschool students? Families can contact Tharrington Primary’s front office, where someone will be happy to assist with scheduling.

Do homeschool families get to choose their classes? Yes! Homeschool families are able to choose classes that best fit the needs and schedule of their child.

Are there athletics available for my child? While our elementary students do not have athletic teams available through the school, we partner with Mount Airy Parks and Recreation and Reeves Community Center, where students have a wide range of options available. Click here to access the offerings found through Mount Airy Parks and Recreation.

How do I schedule a tour and/or meeting with the principal? Families interested in learning more about our school can call our front office, where someone will be happy to help you schedule a tour and/or meeting. Families can also click here to fill out a form for a tour.

What is the cost of participating? Homeschool students are welcome to participate in the available classes free of charge. For more information regarding our homeschool partnership, please contact Penny Ballin at 336-786-8355 or by email at pballin@mtairy.k12.nc.us

J. J. Jones Intermediate School (3-5)

What classes are available to homeschool students? Classes available to homeschool students include STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), physical education, art, music, TLIM (The Leader in Me), and Spanish.

Where can I find the schedule regarding classes available to homeschool students? Families can contact Jones Intermediate’s front office, where someone will be happy to assist with scheduling.

Do homeschool families get to choose their classes? Yes! Homeschool families can choose classes that best suit their child's needs and schedule.

Are there athletics available for my child? While our elementary students do not have athletic teams available through the school, we partner with Mount Airy Parks and Recreation and Reeves Community Center, where students have a wide range of options available. Click here to access the offerings found through Mount Airy Parks and Recreation.

How do I schedule a tour and/or meeting with the principal? Families interested in learning more about our school can call our front office, where someone will be happy to help you schedule a tour and/or meeting. Families can also click here to fill out a form for a tour.

What is the cost of participating? Homeschool students are welcome to participate in the available classes free of charge. For more information regarding our homeschool partnership, please contact Penny Ballin at 336-786-8355 or by email at pballin@mtairy.k12.nc.us

Mount Airy Middle School (6-8)

What classes are available to homeschool students? Please contact Penny Willard to see what classes are available at Mount Airy Middle School for homeschool students. She can be reached by calling 336-786-8355 or by email at pwillard@mtairy.k12.nc.us

Where can I find the schedule regarding classes available to homeschooled students? Please contact Mount Airy Middle School’s front office at 336-789-9021.

Do homeschool families get to choose their classes? Yes! Homeschool families can choose classes that best fit the needs and schedule of their child.

Does my child have to come to Mount Airy Middle School’s campus? Depending on the course, students wishing to take classes offered by Mount Airy Middle School will need to attend on campus or online.

Can my child earn high school credits through Mount Airy Middle School’s course offerings? Yes! Students can take Math 1 and English 1 at Mount Airy Middle School and receive high school credit upon passing the course. Note- If a student is enrolled in NC Math 1 as a homeschool student, they will be required to take the End of Course state assessment at the end of the course.

Are there athletics available for my child? Yes! Athletics available at Mount Airy Middle School can be found by clicking here.

What are the eligibility requirements for participating in school athletics? Click here to learn about the requirements for playing sports at Mount Airy Middle School.

What are the requirements for participating in school athletics? Students must be enrolled for ½ a day as a student to participate in sports at middle school. Click here to see the requirements set forth by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Scroll down the page and look for “Checklists” to see the full set of requirements.

How do I schedule a tour and/or meeting with the principal? Families interested in learning more about our school can call our front office, where someone will be happy to help you schedule a tour and/or meeting. Families can also click here to fill out a form for a tour.

What is the cost of participating? Homeschool students are welcome to participate in the available classes free of charge. For more information regarding our homeschool partnership, please contact Penny Ballin at 336-786-8355 or by email at pballin@mtairy.k12.nc.us

Mount Airy High School (9-12)

What classes are available to homeschool students? Classes available to homeschool students can be found by visiting http://www.mahsbears.org/, then clicking Academics and Course Selection Guide. Note: The course selection guide includes courses offered during class registration, but may or may not be taught depending on student interest.

Do homeschool families get to choose their classes? Yes! Homeschool families can choose classes that best fit the needs and schedule of their child.

Can my child earn college credits through Mount Airy High School’s course offerings? Yes! Visit Mount Airy High School’s Counseling & Guidance page to learn about the available college credits that can be earned by clicking here.

Can my child be a homeschool student and also graduate from Mount Airy High School? Yes! Homeschool students can be dual-enrolled and earn a diploma from both their home school and Mount Airy High School. Note: Homeschool students must complete all required end-of-course assessments at the high school at the end of the course.

Can my child take Driver's Education through Mount Airy High School? Yes! Please visit our website for more information.

Are there athletics available for my child? Yes! Click here to see the full list of athletic opportunities available at Mount Airy High School.

What are the requirements for participating in school athletics? All high school students must pass three courses and miss fewer than 13 days per semester to participate in sports. Click here to see the requirements set forth by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Scroll down the page and look for “Checklists” to see the full set of requirements.

How do I schedule a tour and/or meeting with the principal? Families interested in learning more about our school can call our front office, where someone will be happy to help you schedule a tour and/or meeting. Families can also click here to fill out a form for a tour.

What is the cost of participating? Homeschool students are welcome to participate in the available classes free of charge. College courses and other specialized courses may come with a small fee. Please contact the school in question for specific costs. For more information regarding our homeschool partnership, please contact Penny Ballin at 336-786-8355 or by email at pballin@mtairy.k12.nc.us