PUBLIC SCHOOL GUIDE

Bibb County Public Schools

www.bibb.k12.ga.us

Number of schools:  43

Number of students: 12,367 elementary (Grades K-5), 5,654 middle (grades 6-8), 6,449 high (grades 9-12)

Spending per student: NA

Average SAT:  879

Combined Critical Reading and Math, most recent administration

DIVERSITY:Asian 1%; Black 73%; Hispanic 2%; Multiracial 2%; White 22%

Students eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches: NA

STRENGTHS: State and national recognition continue to be earned across the District for the work being done to ensure Achievement and Performance for Every Child. Superintendent Sharon Patterson was recognized as the 2006 Georgia Superintendent of the Year and was a Top 4 Finalist for National Superintendent of the Year; Principal Gail Gilbert is the only principal in the country to lead two schools to the distinction of National School of Character; scores on state-mandated tests continue to increase; and 14 schools earned the honor of being named a Title I Distinguished School.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS: Magnet programs are offered to students across the county at all grade levels, including: Alexander II Magnet School—Math and Science; Burdell-Hunt Elementary School—Communicative Arts; Vineville Academy—Fine Arts; Miller Middle School—Fine Arts Magnet; Central High School—Fine Arts & International Baccalaureate; Hutchings Career Center—Automotive Technology, Healthcare Science, Information Technology, Marketing Education, and Professional Foods & Culinary Arts; Northeast High School—Health Science; Southwest High School—Law Academy; and Westside High School—Pre-Engineering.

Houston County Public Schools

www.hcbe.net

Number of schools: 37

Number of students:  12,329 elementary, 6,057 middle, 7,535 high

Spending per student: Total FY08 budget equates to ~$10,800 per student

Average SAT: 1483

DIVERSITY: Asian 2.04%; Black 35.01%; Hispanic 4.81%; Multiracial 3.3%; White 54.65%

Students eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches: 44.55%

STRENGTHS: The systems strengths include: systemwide commitment to our mission to produce high-achieving students; highly-qualified teachers—99.5% deemed “HiQ” by the Georgia Department of Education;           a dedicated Board of Education; technology—the Board was named first in the nation for large systems in the digital school board contest; quality professional learning to give teachers and staff the training they need; and supportive parents and community.

CHALLENGES: Managing the growth is always a welcomed challenge.  HCPS enrollment increased by 728 students this school year.  As one of the fastest growing counties in Georgia, HCPS constantly recruits the best and the brightest administrators, faculty and staff to educate our children.  Another challenge is to meet unfunded state and federal mandates.  The system is very concerned about the proposed tax reform legislation that will be discussed during the 2008 General Assembly. 

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS: We have many initiatives to help our students succeed. More Advanced Placement classes are offered each year allowing students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. Enrichment and remediation are offered during the school day as well as outside of class. Every school has an improvement plan, as does the system. Schools use technology-based tools, such as the Classworks program, NovaNet online courseware, interactive whiteboards and wireless slates. Teacher leaders work with administrators in professional learning communities and administrators are given skills to be more effective through the LEADing Edge Academy.

Jones County Public Schools

www.jones.k12.ga.us

Number of schools: 8

Number of students:  3,006 elementary, 1,458 middle, 2,142 high

Spending per student: $6,710.00

Average SAT: 1401

Top high schools by SAT: only one high school

DIVERSITY: Asian .3%; Black 27%; Hispanic .7%; Multiracial 1%; White 71%; American Indian 1%

Students eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches: 39.61%

STRENGTHS: The Jones County School System employs a laser-like focus on student achievement as the number one priority. Through intense data analysis with targeted interventions, improvement is tracked through its Continuous Improvement Plan and Balanced Score Card. The system has achieved district AdvancED Accreditation—an indicator of a highly functional Central Change Team that closely monitors district goals. The Board of Education has a combined total of over 90 years of experience and is active in educational issues.

CHALLENGES: The Jones County School System is challenged by rapid growth. As a bedroom community that lacks an industrial tax base, the system is financially challenged as enrollment has increased. With significant support from the community, the system is challenged to sustain a continuum of improvement due to an existing perception of educational quality.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS: The Jones County School System has embraced the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement’s model for continuous improvement. As a result, each school has a Continuous Improvement Plan that aligns with the district’s plan. Each school’s (and district) balanced score card is continuously reviewed for assessing practices and interventions. Undergirded by the Georgia Performance Standards, rigorous programs in math, science, social studies, and language arts are implemented at all grade levels to target achievement goals.

Monroe County Public Schools

www.monroe.k12.ga.us

Number of schools: 6

Number of students:  1,859  elementary,  874  middle, 1,170  high

Spending per student: $   8,104

Average SAT:  1426

Top high schools by SAT: Mary Persons High School—only high school

DIVERSITY: Asian 0.6%; Black 30.9%; Hispanic 1.9%; Multiracial 2.0%; White 64.6%

Students eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches: 50.4 %

STRENGTHS: Quality teaching staff with relatively low turnover rate; Opportunities for professional development for teachers; Involved and supportive parent and community base; strong tax local base; high quality facilities; ability to stay ahead of population growth.

CHALLENGES (75 words or less)   Potential for accelerated community and student population growth; sustaining and furthering improvement and achievement successes; closing the achievement gap between socio-economic subgroups

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS (75 words or less)  Separate campus (opened this school year) within high school structure for freshman (9th grade) campus, with every classroom a state-of-the-art model classroom; middle schoolers learning cooperatively with students in Scotland via web-based video.

Peach County Public Schools

www.peachschools.org

Number of schools: 6

Number of students: 1986 elementary, 984 middle, 1225 high

Spending per student: $7,420.28

Average SAT: 1291

Top high schools by SAT: Peach County High School (only high school)

DIVERSITY: Asian 1%; Black 50%; Hispanic 9%; Multiracial 1%; White 39%

Students eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches: 67.78%

STRENGTHS: The Peach County School District is comprised of bright, enthusiastic students and is led by focused, collaborative, talented and caring staff. The district is anchored within a supportive community that participates with the faculty and staff to enhance the quality of education in Peach County.

CHALLENGES: The construction of new elementary schools to provide state-of-the-art facilities for students and employees.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS: Trojan Academy, a Ninth grade program at Peach County High School that focuses on high academic performance and career exploration. Co-teaching which allows special needs students to attend regular ed. classes that are on college and/or career prep tracks. Graduation Coaches at the middle and high school levels connect students who are at risk for dropping out with tutoring and resources that will lead them toward graduation. Partnership with Fort Valley State University: FVSU has adopted Fort Valley Middle and Peach County High to provide volunteers, tutoring, mentoring and career exploration.