The Crossnore School History     

April 2009

All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2009 - present
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references in Resources.

"But we had wanted to be missionaries, Doctor and I, and what could be better than to spend our lives helping to bring to these people of the mountains, these fine, high-principled men and women so capable of great things, a more fruitful, happier manner of living?"
~ Dr. Mary Sloop "Miracle in the Hills" (see Resources)

("Blessed be the Ties That Bind" sculpture at right by Richard Hallier. See the links in Resources to learn more about Richard Hallier.)

Thus began a life's work that was to improve and even save the lives of many mountain children and families. Dr. Mary Sloop and Dr. Eustace Sloop arrived in Avery County North Carolina in 1908 to serve as doctors to a population that had little access to adequate medical care. But they went far beyond that.

They started and developed a boarding school for local children which grew over the years to help thousands of young people in desperate need. They built a hospital. They taught weaving and created an outlet for local goods to help raise money for local needs. They fought moonshiners and a culture which pushed children into early marriages and neglected their educations. They created an environment where siblings who otherwise would have been separated could live together as a family.

The Crossnore School was indeed a miracle to many of these children and education was always first. As the current Director, Dr. Phyllis Crain, says in their 2008 Annual report:

"In my more than 50 years of life, I have yet to meet one individual who was able to rise above poverty, abuse, abandonment or extreme neglect where education was not a key factor."

The school started out with classes for younger children, with much physical and fund-raising effort added a high school and helped raise money to send many of their students to college all the while creating a safe and loving living environment.

Currently, 52% of the children come from "families in crisis", 36% have been abandoned and 12% were victims of abuse and neglect. In 2008 they were able to keep 26 sibling groups together.

II 2008, Dr. Phyllis Crain was awarded one of 3 Nancy Susan Reynolds Awards from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (click here to learn more) for her leadership of the school. According to the Z. Smith Reynolds website:

"The Nancy Susan Reynolds Awards recognize the unsung heroes of North Carolina whose vision, determination, resourcefulness and strength of character have caused them to make a positive difference in the state. . . Crain’s service at Crossnore has been in spite of her own personal adversity.  Seven years ago, she began seeking treatment for a Stage IV breast cancer diagnosis while continuing to direct Crossnore.  Now a survivor, she approaches each day with a balance of calm and urgency because she knows she still has much to do for the children at Crossnore, as well as countless others who need and deserve the best foster care possible."

You can learn more about the Drs. Mary and Eustace Sloop and the Crossnore School in their 2009 performances of "Miracle on the Mountains" at the amphitheater on July 30, July 31, August 1, August 6, and August 8 at 8 p.m. with a special Saturday matinee on August 8. Find out more at .