Our Community: Education

Excellence in education — from preschool all the way to the collegiate level — is a primary concern of Starkville residents. The community’s public schools and a private academy rank among the finest in the state. Both school systems excel in academics and athletics. A working relationship with Mississippi State University and its College of Education provides added qualities and features that are not found in most school systems.

STARKVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

The heartbeat of the Starkville community, the Starkville School District is a pacesetter for education in Mississippi. On the forefront of preparing young people for tomorrow, teachers, parents and administrators work together to create an environment that nurtures creativity and expects excellence. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Starkville School District affords 4,000+ students with educational opportunities that will prepare them for the next level. With more than 120 courses including eight advanced-placement courses at Starkville High School; a comprehensive, research-based reading program in grades K–3; and a preschool program beginning at six weeks of age, students are challenged academically in the classroom, and they are competitive not just in academics, but also in athletics and visual and performing arts. They are also involved in extracurricular activities, such as the drama club, the speech and debate team, chorus, band, and dozens of other organizations.

Year after year, the Starkville School District and its administrators, teachers and students are recognized for outstanding achievement. Of more than 80 full-time teachers, 59 are National Board Certified. Many of the teachers and administrators are also the recipients of numerous awards, including the Christa McAuliffe Fellow, Disney National Teacher, Mississippi Teacher of the Year, Mississippi Administrator of the Year, John K. Bettersworth History Teacher of the Year, Thad Cochran Distinguished Arts Educator of the Year, Milken Award, Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Art Education. In 2006, a Starkville High School senior was one of only 23 in the nation to have a perfect score of 36 on the American College Test. The class of 2006 received more than $2 million in scholarship offers. The Starkville School District’s nationally recognized fine arts program is a recipient of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts Creative Ticket Award.

With a mission of pursuing excellence in teaching and learning, the Starkville School District sets high expectations for students and teachers. The Starkville School District invites you to experience excellence. To learn more about Starkville School District, call 662-324-4050 to schedule a tour or request an information packet, or visit www.starkville.k12.ms.us.

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Oktibbeha County School District serves more than 900 students at four schools: East Oktibbeha Elementary, West Oktibbeha Elementary, East Oktibbeha High and West Oktibbeha High. Its professional staff includes 90 employees. The district has seen a number of accomplishments in recent years. All four of the schools in Oktibbeha County School District met the goals associated with the Mississippi Subject Area Testing Program and the Mississippi Curriculum Test. These scores met the school’s requirements through No Child Left Behind in all content areas. The district also received a $6,000 increase in federal title funds to support academic and support programs to address issues that serve as barriers to education. In addition, a $900,000 Reading First continuation grant allows the district’s two elementary schools to continue efforts to enhance educational programs and close the “readiness gap” of early elementary students by the end of the third grade. East Oktibbeha High School and West Oktibbeha High School received a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The district received $11,500 to continue implementing the GEAR UP program at each of its two high schools. The GEAR UP Mississippi program is designed to provide exposure and enrichment experiences that impact students in a way that will ultimately increase their chances of furthering their education at an institution of higher learning. In addition, Oktibbeha County School District received $538,802 in 21st Century Community Learning Center funds to support students in grades seven through 12. These grant funds will enhance after-school and extended-year programs, including the provision of site coordinators, subject-area specialists, tutors, library staff, bus drivers and equipment.

For more information about the Oktibbeha County School District, visit www.oktibbeha.k12.ms.us or call 662-323-1472

STARKVILLE ACADEMY

Starkville Academy is a college-preparatory school for pre-K through 12th grade that advocates a holistic approach to education in a Christian environment. Established in 1969, the school is accredited by the Mississippi Private School Association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. Starkville Academy holds the highest accreditation ratings attainable in these accrediting agencies.

The campus is located on 27 acres and has four major networked classroom facilities that include an elementary school, junior high school and high school. The elementary school uses an advanced curriculum and enhances this curriculum with the accelerated reader program. There is also a gifted and resource program for the elementary school. Two computer labs are available for instruction and research for all grades. Starkville Academy’s secondary school operates a two-track curriculum that includes the College Prep Track and the Accelerated Track. Students have the opportunity to take honors courses, advanced-placement courses, and dual-enrollment courses for college. The average ACT score for the past 10 years is 22, and the average ACT score for Accelerated Track students is 26. Starkville Academy has many extracurricular activities for students. The band program has received all superior scores since 1995. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in many sports programs, such as football, basketball, baseball, fast-pitch softball, soccer, track, tennis, cross country and swimming. Cheerleading and dance teams are also a part of the extracurricular offerings.

Starkville Academy represents a special community of parents concerned with providing the finest possible preparation for their children’s futures. For more information, call 662-323-7814 or visit www.starkvilleacademy.org

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

Celebrating more than 130 years of service, Mississippi State University (MSU) is the state’s largest institution of higher learning. Founded in 1878 as Mississippi A&M, Mississippi State is a comprehensive land-grant institution that is known for excellence in teaching, research and service. More than 17,000 students enroll annually at the university, and there are more than 4,000 faculty and staff members. Every year, Mississippi State University awards more than 3,000 degrees, over 100 of which are doctoral degrees. Statistically speaking, nearly three-fourths of the university’s students are from Mississippi; about 20 percent are African-American, and around four percent are international students. Three-fourths of MSU’s enrollment is composed of undergraduate students. MSU’s fall 2006 freshman class had an average American College Test composite score of 23.3.

Although MSU is best known for the strength of its agricultural and engineering programs, it is also known for being the only college in Mississippi to offer architecture and veterinary medicine degrees. More than 80 majors are offered at the undergraduate level, some 65 at the master’s level and about 50 at the doctoral level. MSU’s College of Education is one of the nation’s 632 programs accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Early Childhood Institute, housed in the College of Education, is cooperating with state schools to develop professional leadership programs to improve education for children in preschool through the third grade.

Mississippi State University is a member of the Southeastern Conference for intercollegiate athletics and offers excellent opportunities for students to participate competitively. The university also has strong intramural programming to keep students active and involved while attending.

For more information about Mississippi State University, call 662-325-2323 or visit www.msstate.edu

EAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE/GOLDEN TRIANGLE CAMPUS

East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle Campus (EMCC-GT) serves more than 3,000 full-time, part-time, day and evening students, and for the past 10 years, it has been one of Mississippi’s fastest-growing college campuses. EMCC is an accredited community college with a comprehensive two-year academic curriculum. It offers students a wide range of classes in the sciences and the arts and 23 career and technical training programs, as well as options like adult basic education, continuing education and customized industry training. EMCC takes a leadership role in workforce training with its Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence — also known as The Center at EMCC — is a multimillion-dollar, state-of-the-art training facility that provides industries in the region with essential training to maintain competitiveness in a global economy. The technical skills required for today’s workforce are still in short supply; retraining the current workforce and developing the skills of the future workforce are ongoing challenges for the business community. Therefore, EMCC and the Center are area educational resources providing needed technical training for both the current and future workforce.

For more information about East Mississippi Community College, its course offerings, and its Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence, call 662-243-1900 or visit www.eastms.edu or www.cmte.org