4100 Highway 212
Marshall, NC 28753
(828)656-2223
The first schools in the Laurel area, known also as White Rock were provided by the "old field" schools and by the Presbyterian missionaries. The Presbyterians also built the White Rock Hospital which operated from 1919 until 1932. The remains of what was the only hospital ever operated in Madison County can still be seen above the Laurel School.
The high school at Laurel was a rock building constructed with labor provided by the WPA. Its demolition this school year left the building located at Mars Hill as the only one still being used by the Madison County Public Schools that was built with this labor force. A few of the other buildings so constructed are at present being used as community centers for the areas that they previously served as schools. The remaining building at the Laurel site is a K-5 school for that community.
Laurel School is approximately 20 miles from the central office located at Marshall. As late as 1960, there was no telephone service to the Laurel community. Communication with the central office was accomplished by using short wave radio.
The school reported an enrollment of 99 students in June 2000. The principal at Laurel School for the 2001-2002 school year is Mr. Keith Ray.