To better meet the different learning styles of students, MECHS offers a variety of course formats. Textbooks and textbook packets, the PACE learning system, SuccessMaker, Rosetta Stone, and NovaNET (a web-based computer program) are some of the available instructional formats used at all the MECHS sites. All methods provide self-paced, individualized mastery learning. Students cannot fail a course; material must be mastered before advancing.

Established by the Georgia Board of Education 1993
Established A State Chartered Special School 2007
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools


Mitchel Barrett
Mountain Education Center Central Office
65 Kenimer Street
Cleveland, GA 30528

phone: 706-219-4664
fax: 706-219-4665

The mission of Mountain Education Center High School is to provide students the opportunity to be successful learners and to earn a high school diploma.
  • Student learning is the major priority at this school.
  • All students can and do learn.
  • A low student-teacher ratio increases student learning.
  • Learning is enhanced by positive relationships and mutual respect between staff and students.
  • The pursuit of education at any age is a worthwhile endeavor.
  • Individual tutoring strengthens teacher-student relationships and facilitates student learning.
  • Students are more successful when teachers perform the functions of motivator, facilitator, counselor and tutor.
  • Students learn in different ways and learn best when provided with a choice of approaches to support their learning styles.
  • Students learn more when they are actively engaged in an individualized, self-paced curriculum.
  • Students learn more when they are responsible for their learning and behavior.
  • Students learn best when they have appropriate opportunities for success.
  • Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs.
  • Student learning is demonstrated by mastery of essential knowledge and skills.
  • A safe and orderly environment promotes student learning.
  • Students learn to make appropriate decisions given a supportive learning environment.
  • Teachers, administrators, parents/guardians/caregiver, and the community equally share the responsibility for advancing the MECHS mission.
  • The commitment to continuous improvements is imperative for the school to enable students to become confident, self-direct, lifelong learners.
  • August 1993 – The Mountain Education Center opened its doors as a three-county collaborative (Fannin, Towns, Union) comprehensive regional evening school to address the "at-risk" student and the dropout rate using a self-paced program which employed teachers as facilitators. The purposes of the school were to increase the high school completion rate and promote education as a life-long experience. The program opened as a one-site high school on the Union County High School campus.
  • October 1993 – The Gilmer County School System joined the collaborative, and a second site was opened on the Gilmer County High School campus.
  • April 1994 – The Pickens County School System joined the collaborative and sent students to the Gilmer site.
  • August 1994 – The Lumpkin County School System joined the collaborative, and a third site was opened at the Lumpkin County High School campus.
  • August 1994 – The Crossroads Program, designed to serve the chronically disruptive student, the adjudicated student, and the truant student was added at all three sites.
  • October 1996 – The MEC was one of six alternative schools nationwide selected to participate in KRA’s Model Alternative Research Project (a U.S. Department of Education sponsored research project). The MEC received high accolades in the KRA report for MEC's ability to attract, retain, and graduate "at-risk" students.
    August 1997 – The MEC was featured in the PaceSetter newspaper as a "Success Story" feature.
  • August 1999 – The White County School System became the seventh county to join the collaborative and sent students to the Lumpkin site.
  • August 2000 – The Gilmer site and Union site Crossroads Programs became day programs. The Lumpkin site Crossroads Program continued as an evening component of the MEC.
  • August 2002 – The Gilmer and the Union daytime Crossroads Programs were reassigned to their respective school systems as Alternative Education Programs (AEP). The Lumpkin site students were reassigned to their respective schools as AEP students but retained their status as evening students. The MEC Lumpkin site administrator provides administrative support for those AEP students. This change eliminated middle school students from the MEC program. At this time the Mountain Education Center became Mountain Education Center High School (MECHS).
  • August 2003 – A collaborative decision was made for MECHS to become an element of the Georgia Communities in School Programs.
  • August 2004 – The Plaza Comunitaria Program initiated to serve the influx of Hispanic immigrants at the Gilmer site.
  • August 2005 – The Summit Program at the White County Ninth Grade Academy was initiated to serve the extremely at risk incoming 9th grade students.
  • August 2006 – The first MECHS Graduation Coach was authorized.
  • July 2007 – MECHS established as a state chartered special school with AYP being based upon EOCT results.
  • August 2007 – The second MECHS Graduation Coach was authorized.