QUALITY EDUCATION IN CALHOUN COUNTY

Our Schools & Educators

Calhoun County School District is High Performing(B) for the 2012-2013 school year.

Bruce High School, Calhoun City Elementary School, and Vardaman Elementary School all received a High Performing(B) school for the 2012-2013 school year.  Bruce Elementary School’s QDI also puts them at a High Performing School level without the growth component.  Bruce Upper Elementary, Calhoun City Middle School, and Vardaman High School all were Successful(C) schools for the 2012-2013 school year.

BHS, CCES, and VES each met growth and had a QDI score of 184 or above.  This is not an easy endeavor for any academic institution with rigorous curriculum and higher standards.  Teachers are teaching from bell to bell and more diversely than ever to maintain the high level of academic success.  Common Core Standards have rejuvenated the art of teaching and we anticipate an even higher level of academic attainment for the 2013-2014 school year.

The Calhoun County School District continues to strive toward academic excellence.  Innovative teaching strategies along with upgraded technology in most schools, has created a successful educational atmosphere for all students participating in the Calhoun County School District.  It is the goal of the CCSD to continue educational initiatives along with technological opportunities to enhance the possibilities that all of our schools will become high performing educational institutions.

Calhoun county is very proud of its quality school system and educators. At all levels our schools are performing successfully as measured by our State’s accountability program. We are committed to helping our children become great citizens and part of a skilled work force. Our teachers are a very dedicated group as evidenced by 100% rated as highly qualified (having teaching degrees and certifications), 97% having increased education hours in the subjects they teach, and 32% having Masters degrees or better.

Our philosophy can be described as follows:

• The education of young people is our most significant responsibility.
• We must help develop each pupil to his/her full potential.
• Academic freedom is essential to achieving our goals, as we must protect teachers from censorship or restraint.

Our goals are:

• Achieve and maintain level five accreditation at all schools
• Establish a Career and Technical Education Center
• Encourage and improve community involvement
• Provide facilities that enhance the teaching/learning process

Local Leadership

The Calhoun County School District is one county unit system with three school centers in Bruce, Calhoun City and Vardaman.

Superintendent: Lisa Langford – Office number – 662.412.3152.
School Board Officers: Don Hardin, President; Danny Harrelson, Vice-President;  Reginal Baskin, Secretary

School Board Members: Reginal Baskin, District 1; Danny Harrelson, District 2; , District 3, Precious Thompson, District 4; and Don Hardin, District 5

School Board Attorney: Paul Moore, Jr.

Web Site :  www.calhoun.k12.ms.us

Career & Technical Education Center

Our county is very committed to improving the skills of its work force. Our Career & Technical Education Center has six approved programs:  Manufacturing Trades, Allied Health, Construction Technology, Digital Media Technology, Teacher Academy, and Auto Service Technology. Our students have access to the latest equipment and technology related to their chosen field of study.

The Center plans to partner with local industry, Northwest Community College, and the Mississippi Office of Vocational and Technical Education, to implement workforce training for adults to gain valuable skills that will enable our county’s workforce to not only be competitive, but to also stay current with the technological needs of area industries. With as much as 65% of the future job openings in Mississippi requiring skills and knowledge in various areas of technology, Calhoun County plans to build a workforce that will satisfy both the current and future needs of area industries in order to give the people of Calhoun County an edge in the job market.

Last year over 70 students graduated from our programs, and another 187 students are currently enrolled. We have partnered this year with our local hospital and nursing home, as well other medical centers in the area, to provide clinical experience and internships for our allied health students. Teacher Academy is in its second year of operation, and it is also doing internships at the three elementary schools in the school district to provide real world experience that will prepare them for a career in the field of education.

Recently, the State board of Education awarded the Calhoun County Career and Technical Center with a plaque and certificate for accreditation as a National Center for Construction Education and Research. This honor is a reflection of the Construction and Manufacturing program at the Center. Such certification and accreditation is a plus for our Career and Technical Center because we feel that it is of extreme importance to stay current with new and emerging technologies as well as work force needs so that our students will be highly marketable in the current and future job market.

Tuition Assistance Program

A tuition assistance program, approved by our County Board of Supervisors, provides tuition to all graduates who want to attend Northwest Community College. Funding of the new program comes from Three Rivers PDD, along with county and private contributions. Calhoun County has both the initiative and the foresight to provide its citizens with the education and training that will be on the cutting edge of current and future technological needs of area industries.

Excellent Higher Education Within Short Driving Distance

The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is less than 30 miles from our county. Ole Miss curriculums include extensive research, doctorates and nine academic divisions on its main campus in Oxford.

A close 55 miles away is Mississippi State University (MSU), with outstanding engineering and agricultural research programs and excellent education at all levels.

In Columbus, just a short distance east of MSU, is the Mississippi University For Women, one of the highest rated academic institutions in the USA.

Within a short driving distance are also several secondary schools that provide excellent education and curriculums: Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Itawamba Community College in Fulton and Holmes Community College in Grenada.