The School for Little Folks was started in 1932 when Elizabeth Hughes, a woman of great foresight and a love for children,
saw the need for a school that would provide special and excellent education to children in their most formative years, from
ages four to age six. With the help of her sister, Miss Carrie, a school was started in their home on Oakland Street in Hendersonville,
North Carolina.
Miss Elizabeth, as she was affectionately known, had a special way with beginning readers and so taught first grade.
Her former pupils still attest to her skill in teaching them to read and write with proficiency. She settled in Hendersonville
in 1925 with her father to teach at Blue Ridge Academy. She was a qualified teacher and the daughter and granddaughter of
Episcopal priests. Miss Elizabeth was the granddaughter of the first rector of St. James Episcopal Church. She believed that
the best teaching was done by love and example. The school always had full enrollment with a Kindergarten of four and five
years olds taught by Miss Carrie, and Miss Elizabeth's first grade. When the Hughes moved to 216 Fleming Street, so did the
school.
In 1961, Miss Hughes began to think about retiring. At this point, she approached the Vestry of St. James Episcopal Church
and asked them to consider establishing a parish day school. A special committee of the Vestry was appointed to explore the
possibility. At that time, the hope was expressed that more grades be added , perhaps one per year until the school consisted
of a full quota of six grades. At Miss Elizabeth's request, the name " School for Little Folks" would be retained for the
preschool classes.
Under these aupices, classes started in September, 1962. By 1965, the school consisted of preschool classes up to third
grade with the intention of adding fourth grade for the Fall term. However, as the educational picture in Hendersonville
began to change, it became clear the School would need to change directions as well. Therefore in 1967, the decision was made
to drop all upper level classes and focus strictly on preschool and Kindergarten age students. The important decision
became the basis for establishing an individualized and God-centered education for these students during their most formative
years. This approach has been the driving force behind our school from then until now.
