Ararat
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Blue Ridge Elementary
Blue Ridge had its beginning January 22, 1889. Two acres of land were donated by Thomas B. Barnard and Mary J. Barnard to Jonathan E. Cox, High Point, North Carolina, Treasurer of Friends' Blue Ridge Mission School, for a school and graveyard purposes. They also bought 25 acres for $100.00, making a total of 27 acres.
By 1898, the school was known as Blue Ridge Academy. According to a bulletin published by the school, the course of study covered a scope of work which gave to those who completed it a 'well-rounded education.'
Bookkeeping, Latin, Botany, Astronomy, Mathematics, Philosophy, Zoology, Elocution, Composition and Rhetoric were taught in the Academic Department. The aim of the school at this time was to give thorough instruction, and to give careful moral training. Any person agreeing to conform to the regulations was admitted.
The school continued under the leadership of the Friends until 1918. At this time the entire plant was bought by the Presbyterian Mission Board and was operated as a Boarding School under the leadership of Rev. Newton Smith. When the Home Mission Committee purchased the property in 1918, there were five buildings. Another building was added which was used as a manse until 1925. This building later burned in 1929, and was replaced by a nine-room building. During this time the school was partially supported by tuition paid by the students. Elementary students paid $0.50 per month and high school students paid $1.00.
By the late twenties the school had become a fully accredited high school. To accomodate the growing number of students a new building was built and ready for use by the fall of 1928.
The school and several acres of land were sold to the Patrick County School Board and operated as a county school during the term of 1933-34. From that year through the school year 1969-70, the school had several additions and was operated as Blue Ridge High School.
In the fall of 1970, all high schools in the county were consolidated and Blue Ridge High School became Blue Ridge Elementary School. With a new addition, the school was ready for use by the 1970-71 school year. Additions were made again in 1981-82 including six new classrooms.
Recently, new lighting and a new roof were installed and our school has been made more handicapped accessible.
By 1898, the school was known as Blue Ridge Academy. According to a bulletin published by the school, the course of study covered a scope of work which gave to those who completed it a 'well-rounded education.'
Bookkeeping, Latin, Botany, Astronomy, Mathematics, Philosophy, Zoology, Elocution, Composition and Rhetoric were taught in the Academic Department. The aim of the school at this time was to give thorough instruction, and to give careful moral training. Any person agreeing to conform to the regulations was admitted.
The school continued under the leadership of the Friends until 1918. At this time the entire plant was bought by the Presbyterian Mission Board and was operated as a Boarding School under the leadership of Rev. Newton Smith. When the Home Mission Committee purchased the property in 1918, there were five buildings. Another building was added which was used as a manse until 1925. This building later burned in 1929, and was replaced by a nine-room building. During this time the school was partially supported by tuition paid by the students. Elementary students paid $0.50 per month and high school students paid $1.00.
By the late twenties the school had become a fully accredited high school. To accomodate the growing number of students a new building was built and ready for use by the fall of 1928.
The school and several acres of land were sold to the Patrick County School Board and operated as a county school during the term of 1933-34. From that year through the school year 1969-70, the school had several additions and was operated as Blue Ridge High School.
In the fall of 1970, all high schools in the county were consolidated and Blue Ridge High School became Blue Ridge Elementary School. With a new addition, the school was ready for use by the 1970-71 school year. Additions were made again in 1981-82 including six new classrooms.
Recently, new lighting and a new roof were installed and our school has been made more handicapped accessible.