Western North Carolina Virtual School
Mountain Community Online School is a public virtual school serving students in grades 4–8 across Western North Carolina, with a focus on families in Henderson County, Buncombe County, Polk County, Transylvania County, Haywood County, Yancey County, Mitchell County, McDowell County, Rutherford County, Jackson County, Macon County, and Swain County.
MCOS offers a structured online learning experience that combines licensed teachers, strong adult support, and experiential learning designed to extend beyond the screen.
A public school option for Western North Carolina families
Mountain Community Online School is a North Carolina public charter school.
Enrollment is tuition-free and open to students across the state. Instruction is aligned to North Carolina academic standards, and students participate in required state assessments.
Students attend school online while remaining connected to their homes, communities, and local opportunities throughout Western North Carolina.
How remote learning works
Learning at MCOS is intentionally designed to balance structure and flexibility.
A typical week includes:
- Live online instruction delivered by licensed teachers
- Independent coursework supported by a high-quality digital platform
- Daily monitoring and guidance from a dedicated Success Coach
- Experiential learning through Climb Higher Projects
This model allows students to learn from anywhere while maintaining clear expectations, routines, and accountability.
Built for families seeking flexibility with structure
MCOS is a strong fit for families who are:
- Exploring virtual learning as an alternative to traditional school
- Looking for flexibility without giving up academic expectations
- Seeking stronger adult support in an online environment
- Interested in learning that connects academics to real-world experience
Students remain fully enrolled in a public school while learning online.
Experiential learning beyond the screen
A defining feature of Mountain Community Online School is Climb Higher Projects.
Each quarter, students complete one in-depth experiential project that:
- Integrates multiple subject areas
- Requires real-world activity and community connection
- Emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving
- Culminates in a student presentation
These projects ensure that virtual learning remains active, meaningful, and connected to students’ lives and communities.
Strong support for students and families
Every student at MCOS is supported by a team of adults.
This includes:
- Licensed teachers responsible for core academic instruction
- A dedicated Success Coach who monitors progress, engagement, and communication
- School staff who ensure accountability and follow-through
Families are not left to manage online learning alone.
A trusted public school partner
Mountain Community Online School is operated by The Mountain Community School, bringing the care and accountability of a proven charter organization to a statewide online program.
Explore whether MCOS is right for your family
If you are searching for a Western North Carolina virtual school that combines flexibility, structure, and meaningful learning, Mountain Community Online School may be the right fit.