Water’s Edge Village School in Corolla receives major donations for addition to schoolhouse

Water’s Edge Village School in Corolla recently announced multiple major donations to help the kindergarten through 8th grade charter build an additional schoolhouse adjacent to its current location in the historic village.

The tuition-free school, founded in 2012 and guided by a mission to incorporate whole child development with an emphasis on project-based, hand-on learning, has grown from 15 to 43 students.

The new building will accommodate current need and future growth by providing an additional 3 classrooms, a community room, a resource room, and a teacher’s office.

WEVS publicly launched its capital campaign in April during a celebration at the historic 1890s schoolhouse. The campaign’s goal is to raise $1.35M.

Corolla residents Wayne and Betty Evans pledged $250,000, while long-time supporters Ed and Juliet Jesson have given $20,000

“It’s motivational and inspirational to do something good for a child,” said Betty Evans.

“Years ago we spent a lot of time at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. There was a plaque next to the elevator that said something like, ‘It doesn’t matter how big your house is or what kind of car you drive, what will matter is if you made a difference in the life of a child,’” Evans said. “And I think this school can make a difference in the lives of many children, so let’s build this school!”

“This is what we can do for Corolla. One hundred years ago there were people who did this same thing. And I hope 100 years from now that building is still working for the community,” said Wayne Evans.

With the momentum generated by the Evans’ pledge from their OBCF donor-advised fund, along with a $10,000 grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation’s Community Enrichment grant program, the school hopes to inspire community support for the project. Community engagement is particularly necessary because by state law, state and local governments may not contribute capital to charter schools.

The Jessons’ have now made three major donations in support of the school, with the first two donations supporting the school’s technology needs.

Founders of OBXtek, a Service Disabled Veteran-owned technology solutions company, Ed and Juliet have always loved the Outer Banks.

“Juliet and I have always believed in supporting children and education,” said Ed Jesson. “The Water’s Edge Village School is doing what we would want for any child, in a place we love to be!”

The new classrooms will expand the school’s campus – younger students will still have classes in the old schoolhouse.

TowneBank of Currituck, one of WEVS’ charter donors when the school was founded in 2012, donated $50,000.

“It is an honor for TowneBank to continue to support Water’s Edge Village School as the school expands with a new academic building,” said Regional President Taylor Sugg.

“Since our founding 23 years ago, TowneBank has been committed to serving others and enriching lives by supporting hundreds of local charitable organizations through volunteerism, donations, scholarships, and grants,” Sugg said.