Building on the Past – Then & Now: St. Anthony of Padua School and New City Christian School

Having fun at recess are: (L -R), Kristin Payne (teacher’s aide), Keyasia Meade, William Bradley, Kyree Tucker, Ebony Goodine, Aalias Ellis, Kolson Ellis, Troy Clement, Jasmine Candler, and Isabel Inman.

Staff Reports

 “There was a school here before, and I’ve always wanted there to be a school here again,” remarked Reverend John Brewster. So, in the fall of 2006, this expressed desire of Rev. Brewster of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church on Walton Street became a reality.

Once the site of St. Anthony of Padua School, 56 Walton Street is now home to New City Christian School. The schools have each had a strong sense of mission: to offer children in the heart of Asheville’s African-American community a top-notch education in a spiritually nurturing environment.

St. Anthony of Padua School was begun in 1936 by a small group of nuns from New York. They started a Catholic church and school specifically for Asheville’s African-American population, desiring to offer the highest quality education possible. Alumnus Lonnie Gilliam recalls, “Failure was not an option. Even though all the students in the school were poor, our families wanted us to have this great education.” The school continued for over thirty years and produced dozens of community leaders including doctors, lawyers, educators, ministers, and nonprofit and corporate executives.

By the late 1960s, it had become very challenging to
continue operating the school. Declining enrollment, due to the
integration of the public schools, and a shortage of nuns were
contributing factors to the school’s closure. The building was vacant
for a time and was later purchased for use as a church. Tabernacle
Missionary Baptist Church currently occupies the building.

The story of New City Christian School began with Coral Jeffries, a
graduate of Asheville City Schools. Jeffries became interested in
alternative educational options after seeing firsthand the challenges
that often accompany urban public education. She volunteered in a local
second grade classroom and became quickly dismayed by the fact that
despite a bright, energetic teacher and adequate classroom resources
there were many struggling students. Jeffries observed that even many
second graders had already fallen behind their peers academically.
Coral began dreaming of a school in Asheville that would focus on a
classic education, beginning in kindergarten. In other words…
schooling of the “old school” style, emphasizing phonics, drills,
memory work, reading and being read to, math skills, and a broad
exposure to basic facts about the world.

In August of 2006, thanks to the generosity and willing partnership of
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, New City Christian School opened
its doors to its first kindergarten class of seven students in one of
the same rooms that formerly housed the students of St. Anthony of
Padua School. Coral Jeffries has served as the school’s administrator.

A typical day at New City begins with rigorous academic work while the
children’s minds are fresh. In addition to phonics and reading, math is
taught with methods emphasizing student participation and lots of
movement. The reading program (Wilson Foundations), was specifically
chosen for its success in building a strong foundation in language
arts, even in children with learning challenges. Though there is a
strong focus on high levels of student achievement, students also have
a lot of fun in the classroom. Art projects, songs, stories, and
learning centers fill the afternoon session along with trips to Walton
Street Park to run and play.

New City completed its second year of operation in May of 2008, and in
August of 2008 will offer kindergarten, first, and second grades.
End-of-grade testing this year was very encouraging, with all students
achieving overall scores in the top third of students nationally — four
out of ten students scored in the top tenth. Coral Jeffries is pleased,
but she remains determined to continue strengthening what the school
has to offer.

“I see a connection between a rich environment and a thirst for
learning. This seems to be happening within the walls of New City, as
halfway through the school year most of the kindergarten class was
reading. We strongly emphasize reading at our school because we
recognize that children need to learn to read before they can read to
learn. Exposure to a wide variety of topics and experiences leads to
greater interest, this builds a foundation for learning that can be
taken and built upon,” Jeffries stated.

Even though New City Christian School is a private school, it is
affordable for any family. Operating costs are covered mostly by
donations and grants rather than tuition income, which cover only a
small fraction of the cost of running the school. Like St. Anthony of
Padua School, New City’s mission is to make a great education
accessible to local families.

“These kids have so many strengths. They are intelligent, warm, loving,
affectionate, enthusiastic, and they are like sponges. We want their
minds full of good, true, and beautiful things. We want them to know
that they are made in God’s image, and valuable,” concluded Jeffries.

Applications are still being accepted for the school year beginning
August 20. Families interested in enrolling their children can contact
Coral Jeffries at (828) 776-6227 for more information.