Andrews High School (North Carolina)

The football team plays at the Hugh Hamilton Stadium, track meets are on the Kenneth Moore Track (in the stadium), and basketball and volleyball play in the school's gym, named the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center.

The building was located on the property of Andrews Elementary on what is locally known as "School House Hill".

The team's 50 year anniversary was celebrated October 19, 1979, with original players attending the homecoming game.

The old building's bell is across the street at Andrews Elementary, in the middle of the front driveway loop.

One of the school's teachers named Mary Byrd had spent two years organizing the program.

[10] Andrews had a percentage of 64% of graduates who move into higher education, compared to the state average of that time of 30%.

An on-campus masters program was offered at Andrews with the help of Western Carolina University.

The building of Andrews Middle was completed around the beginning 1999, and classes at the new school began in August.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrews High School did not have a graduation for seniors in the class of 2020.

Since 1964, graduations have primarily been held on the football field in the Hugh Hamilton Stadium, or in the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center, depending on weather conditions.

In May 2020, the Cherokee County Board of Education voted to consolidate Andrews, Murphy, and Hiwassee Dam High Schools.

The state awarded a $50 million grant to build a new central high school in Peachtree, but after public outcry newly elected school board members voted to return the money and maintain the status quo.

This would change when AHS switched to a public high school around 1905 after the incorporation of Andrews.

Jean Christy was a former English teacher at Andrews High School who retired in 1970.

Jean taught high school English and Social Studies in Andrews for many years before retiring in 1970.

She was a greatly beloved teacher and friend to her pupils, and many of them continued their friendship with her long after graduation.

Aerial view of Andrews High School
The previous Andrews High School (right) and previous Elementary School (left) buildings. This picture was taken sometime before 1951.
After the original 1914 building burned down in February of 1962, a new school was quickly built and opened in 1963.
Miss Jean Christy's name is placed on this sign next to the AHS brick sign.
Jean Christy in 1961
In honor of Ms. Christy, the Town of Andrews renamed the elementary school road from Walnut Street to Jean Christy Avenue.