Polk County Schools is a public school system in Western North Carolina serving approximately 2,531 students from prekindergarten through grade twelve. Our six schools are located in a small, mostly rural county in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. High school students may take Advanced-Placement English, science, history and math courses. They may earn college credits before graduation and also participate in sports, clubs, music and drama. Polk County Schools opened its Virtual Early College this school year (2007-08) and, as a result, students can earn up to two years of college credits. Every school in the system has a fully equipped and staffed computer lab and media center.

A spacious, hands-on science lab was opened at Polk Central School in September 2006 that provides students in pre-kindergarten to fifth grade with numerous opportunities to enjoy learning how science touches every aspect of their daily lives. The lab features plants, animals, worktables, sinks, a cooking area, a computer lab, amphitheater seating and the latest in audiovisual technology. Additionally, Polk County High School's Educational Farm land was purchased and the project that will eventually provide students of all ages with real-world business, science and agriculture experiences is well underway. Polk County Schools' students have numerous opportunities to excel outside the classroom in extra- and co-curricular activities.