How FernLeaf Charter School Creek Campus Was Rebuilt After Hurricane Helene: A Story of Resilience and Community

FernLeaf Charter School Creek Campus Stands Strong One Year After Hurricane Helene

One year ago, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, devastating schools, homes, and communities—including the FernLeaf Charter School Creek Campus in Fletcher, NC. The damage was catastrophic and threatened our ability to serve hundreds of students.

Yet, just 10 months later, FernLeaf Charter School Creek Campus reopened in time to welcome two-thirds of our elementary students back on the first day of school, August 13, 2025. The remaining students started the year on FernLeaf’s Wilderness Campus.

This remarkable Creek Campus recovery after Hurricane Helene was made possible by the tireless support of FEMA, FernLeaf’s leadership team, and the incredible generosity of our community. One FEMA representative even noted that FernLeaf’s recovery was among the fastest they had seen for a project of this size.

“Working with FEMA was an extraordinary experience,” said Scott McDonald, Chief Financial Officer of FernLeaf. “Their staff walked alongside us every step of the way—answering questions, guiding us through a complex process, and ensuring we had the resources we needed. To see our Creek Campus fully rebuilt and filled with students less than a year after Hurricane Helene’s impact is nothing short of incredible. This wouldn’t have been possible without FEMA and the countless individuals who provided their time and resources to help us recover.”

We are also deeply grateful to Beverly Grant, our general contractor, and their outstanding subcontractors who worked tirelessly to transform the Creek Campus from storm wreckage back into a vibrant learning space. These partners included Carolina Premier Painting, Carolina Lawn & Landscape, Tennoca Construction Company, Emory Electric, Grigg Electric, SkyRock Concrete, and Goddard Concrete.

The FernLeaf Charter School Creek Campus recovery story is one of resilience, community, and hope. It shows the strength of a North Carolina charter school community coming together after disaster and the power of partnerships to make education possible in the face of incredible challenges.

One year after Hurricane Helene, FernLeaf is not only standing strong—we are thriving. And that’s thanks to our students, families, staff, FEMA, and the wider community who make FernLeaf such a special place.