Claxton Elementary

241 Merrimon Avenue

School District

Asheville City
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Asheville City School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

My child attempted this school for kindergarten and had an amazing experience. Everyone from the teachers to the office staff was wonderful.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2018

Claxton is an amazing elementary school with incredible teachers who are focused on the needs of all children! There are so many wonderful opportunities for arts, music, and creative endeavors too at a time when federal and state governing bodies are focused solely on test scores. Claxton educators know how important the arts are for the overall development of the whole child, and work hard to build the arts into the curriculum and extracurricular activities!
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2017

We love Claxton! The teachers and school community are like an extension of our family. They care about every single student; their education, safety, leadership and character development, arts education, etc. I cannot speak more highly of this amazing school family. The data presented by Great Schools seems skewed from what I see every time I walk in the building. Children are not only happy, but thriving and learning SO much. As a former educator myself (not at Claxton), I am beyond impressed with the PTO at Claxton. They know how to fundraise and fundraise well! The proceeds from PTO are used to supplement activities and learning for EVERY child in addition to field trips, after school arts, classroom supplies, etc. My child loves her teachers, assistants, office staff, and the school administration. The administration is amazing-very approachable and supportive to families and teachers. I have been around schools long enough to know that none are "perfect", but this school is pretty close. They have gone through several changes over the last few years and so far, everything I have seen points to them excelling, especially where it matters most. This isn't just a school, it is a family!
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2017

I find this data that great schools has collected to be an inaccurate picture of the amazing school where teachers are happy and children are thriving. My children have attended private for pre K and K and a charter school before we started Claxton. My children love school, are a part of a great community, have so many wonderful opportunities, great friends, caring teachers and an awesome principal. The PTO is beyond amazing, the community is so strong. Nothing is perfect. My children love their teachers and want to be teachers when they grow up. That speaks volumes to how they are learning and are cared for in the environment.
Submitted by other on November 29, 2017

The experience was beyond amazing. This elementary school made sure everyone was welcome. The staff are great people who truly care about helping the students. Due to 2 teachers, they helped me turn around from making Ds and Cs to A and Bs. They informed me that I got everything it takes to become a great student. Because of these two teachers, I started to do better. From 4th grade and forward. In middle school and high school, I made it on the A & B Honor Roll, A honor roll, Beta club, and National Honor Society. Now I a student at Clemson University. I do not know where I will be academically if it wasn't for these two teachers.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2017

Our daughter had wonderful teachers all but one year at Claxton. She has been there kindergarten through fourth grade and has made many great friends. We are happy overall.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2017

We have been to a couple of schools in NC because of moves for my husband's job. The thing I love most about Claxton is the wonderful teachers that my daughters have had the past two years. Each teacher has gone out of their way to support my girls in and out of the school day. This school allows kids to be kids, but encourages the student's to make a positive difference in their community. I love the new playground project that is to be completed by summer 2017. Parents are very involved at Claxton and the new principle is making noticeable and positive changes.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2015

Count me as another who pulled her kids out. Breaks my heart too as my first child who went through had a lovely time. It all went downhill when the current principal arrived. She was actually the assistant principal when she arrived, so perhaps her predecessor is to blame, but the moment the school lost a great art teacher and third grade teacher a couple years ago, I began to worry. Over the past three or four years, pretty much all the great, veteran teaching staff of years and years has left, leaving a bunch of youngsters who can't control behavior. After my fourth grader come home crying after a comment so unbelievably disgusting it can't be published here, the principal did nothing. Sadly, Claxton is a school living on reputation.
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2014

Like many parents, I've pulled my kids out of Claxton due to the fact that the current principal has driven so many quality teachers away. Also, I doubt that Claxton keeps its high score considering that scores have plummeted since all the best teachers were driven away. I recommend that prospective parents dig up the most recent test scores at Claxton. I sent my children to ArtSpace, but many other parents who have left Claxton seem to speak highly of Vance Elementary if remaining at public schools (ArtSpace is a charter) is important to you.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2014

We are looking forward to school starting on Tuesday. My three children love Claxton, the teachers and the administration. My husband and I have been impressed with the education they have received as well as the enrichment opportunities that have been provided during the school day and after school from After School Arts to the Lego League and the amazing production they put on each year. We are so lucky to live in a city with awesome public schools.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

How lucky are my kids to be able to go to a public school with kids from all different backgrounds, get a terrific education, AND experience arts-integration. Claxton promotes learning through the arts -- music, visual arts, dance, drama -- and there's nothing better for elementary school-aged children. My son is performing above grade level, and he's never been left out of left behind from teachers focused on the kids who need intervention. He's happy, stimulated, and full of stories to tell every day. What more can a mother ask for?
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2013

Both of my children attend Claxton, and I absolutely love the great things they are getting exposed to during the day. They are great teachers, specialists, and parents! The teachers do a great job differentiating among students and helping with all the needs in the classroom. Love the A+ arts cultural events and after school arts program too!
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2013

Claxton is a great school with a group a terrific teachers. I love the way the arts are integrated into the curriculum and the after school arts program is fantastic. This is our sixth year at Claxton and it has been a great environment for my child. You will love this school!
Submitted by teacher on July 03, 2013

I respectfully disagree with the previous review. I am very proud to work here and find the staff and administration are consummate professionals. It's a shame it doesn't work out with all teachers and I don't question their motives but posting such misleading and incorrect information seems petty.
Submitted by teacher on May 31, 2013

Our school is amazing! We love the Olweus anti-bullying program and how it has recognized students for "Lending a Hand, and Taking a Stand." This program has helped with our positive behavior system we use in order to help our students recognize bullying and how to handle those situations. Our administration takes community concerns very seriously and as a staff member, can talk with either of them openly about a situation. As far as Claxton goes, we've truly embraced our A+ magnet theme, which focuses are the Arts and Humanities. From artist residencies with ceramics to curriculum aligned partnership with the Moog Foundation, our students, K-5, can expect to have experiences that connect them to the arts. I encourage you to visit our school or contact us for more information to get a better picture of what we do. Go to www.ashevillecityschools.net/schools/clx for more!
Submitted by teacher on January 16, 2013

I am currently a teacher at Claxton and I could not imagine teaching anywhere else. The past two years this administration has gone above and beyond to listen to their teachers and trust us to teach as we know best . I love working for and with this administration because they honestly treat each and every child like they were their own and expect the teachers to do the same. As teachers we are held accountable for what we are teaching and how we are going to reach students who need enrichment or who need remediation. The days are gone when the principal sits in his or her office with the door closed and allows teachers their freedom. The children of Claxton are beyond lucky to have an administration that advocates for them and expects their teachers to give their best to them. I am certainly not saying there isn t room for improvement. There is not one of us living on this earth that isn t a work in progress. There are also times when I want that day to be my last, but I return each morning because I love my students and I am blessed to work with an administration that loves these children and expects the best for them. I also love working with teachers who feel the same.
Submitted by teacher on August 30, 2012

Claxton is a wonderful learning environment! Teachers, administration, and staff are all very caring about the students. The principal greets the children at morning carpool. Parent involvement is greatly encouraged. I've enjoyed spending lunch with my children's classes in the cafeteria and volunteering in their classrooms. Whenever I have a question, I get answered quickly, respectfully, and with the needs of my children at the center. We could not be happier with this school and look forward to the next 6 years there!
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2012

We can't say enough good things about Claxton. The teachers, Principal, and Vice Principal are incredible. They are involved, caring, and communicative. Our kids are happy and growing there. I love the diversity of the school, and the creativity that it encourages. We are extremely thankful for such an amazing little school right in the heart of Asheville.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2010

The teachers and staff care about the children and do everything they can to help them succeed!!! Claxton is like one big family.