The quality of a community’s education system is always a top consideration when choosing a new place to live. North Carolina’s Triad region is a great area to relocate given the abundance of universities, not to mention some of the state’s most highly ranked public and private primary schools. No matter where in the Triad you choose to live, chances are you will be close to one of more than 20 universities that help make the Triad an attractive choice for students, single adults, families and retirees alike.
In addition to supplying the Triad with a vibrant social scene, universities and community colleges also deliver a well-educated population to this burgeoning economy. Schools like Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Elon University help support local business both large and small with employees educated to compete in a global economy.
Higher Education
Graduating high school seniors, students and workers seeking graduate level degrees, as well as adults interested in obtaining new skills, will find a wealth of options available here. In addition to Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State, UNC Greensboro and Elon, the Triad also boasts other top schools like High Point University, Guilford College, Greensboro College, and Bennett College.
Winston-Salem State University is one of the many great Triad choices for undergraduate studies. Consistently ranked among the best public universities in the South, this school offers world-class degree programs in Health Services, Science and Technology, Teaching & Learning and Financial Services. With these four academic centers of excellence, Winston-Salem State arms students with the tools to contribute and succeed in top local industries.
Among the many options for those seeking graduate degrees, top choices include the nationally ranked Wake Forest School of Business and the Graduate School at UNC Greensboro, which offers a great number of options for prospective students.
Scott Hudgins, assistant dean of the Graduate School at UNC Greensboro, said that pursuing a graduate degree will not only enable students to build earning potential but bring a more clearly defined shape to their desired profession, while at the same time enhance the local community through coursework in fields like education.
“We feel it’s our responsibility to continue to attract jobs to North Carolina and the U.S.,” added Hudgins. “New UNC-G programs like Nanoscience and Nanoengineering will keep our region competitive in the global economy.”
Organized into six professional schools and the College of Arts & Sciences, the Graduate School at UNC-G offers master’s degree in more than 60 fields, three doctoral degrees in 18 programs of study, and post-master’s and post-baccalaureate certificates in 17 areas of study.
For those who may be interested in graduate level studies but not ready to make the commitment, UNC-G offers the “Visions” program which enables students to “test-drive” the coursework without having to complete a lengthy application to the school.
Triad schools, especially community colleges, offer a variety of classes and programs for entertainment as well as professional and personal fulfillment. Residents enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills like first aid, computer programming, pottery and dance, just to name a few of the many classes offered through the many schools in the Triad.
Public Schools
For families with young children, the quality of primary school education is often an important decision point in choosing a place to live. Relocating families with school-age children will often have specific geographic limitations based on their employment, not to mention a specific time frame for enrollment. While parents can find many school statistics online, most will want to schedule a visit to the school to determine whether its environment is right for their child.
“Nothing captures the nature of a school’s environment than seeing it first hand,” said Helm. “Parents should consider whether the size of the school – both large and small have their own unique benefits – is right for their child because no one knows their child better than they do.”
Families relocating to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools system that Helm represents will want to start their research by calling the Student Assignment Office at (336) 748-3302 or by visiting http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/.
Parents with school-age children moving to this district, which serves about 52,000 students and is the fifth-largest school system in North Carolina, will have the benefit of a “Controlled Choice” assignment plan. With 42 elementary schools and 16 middle schools grouped in residential zones where students are assigned a school based on zip code, the “Controlled Choice” program allows families to choose an alternative. If the family feels another school within that zone might be more beneficial for their child, they can apply to up to three different schools. According to Helm, every student is guaranteed to receive one of their three choices and is guaranteed transportation.
In most elementary schools in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System, the average class size in kindergarten through third grade is 21. The average for grades 4 and 5 is 26. The average class size in middle school is 23 to 26 students and in high school, the average class size is 26 to 29 students.
The Alamance-Burlington School System is a comprehensive school district serving Alamance County, including the municipalities of Burlington, Graham, Elon, Haw River, Green Level, and Mebane. Families relocating here can learn more about this school system by visiting http://abss.k12.nc.us/ or calling (336) 570-6060. The Alamance-Burlington School System’s 35 schools serve approximately 22,500 students, which ranks it as the 16th largest school district in North Carolina. The 35 schools include 20 elementary schools, seven middle schools, seven high schools, and one alternative school.
The Guilford County Schools system is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students. Parents can learn more about the schools here by contacting its Student Assignment Office at (336) 370-8303 or by visiting http://www.guilford.k12.nc.us/.
Of the district’s 120 schools located in both urban and rural areas, there are 67 elementary (which teach grades K through 5 and in some cases Pre-K through 5), 22 middle and 26 high schools. The Guilford County School District also boasts two special education schools: Gateway and McIver special education centers.
All students in North Carolina, regardless of school district, must meet course requirements in one of following courses of study to graduate: Career Prep, College Tech Prep, College/University Prep, Future Read or Occupational Prep. Students who graduated in the Class of 2009 were accepted at almost 200 colleges, universities, junior colleges and technical schools, and about three-fourths continued their education.
While researching schools, consider factors such as leadership, school environment, breadth of offerings and extracurricular programs. Careful consideration of these factors as well as student performance, atmosphere, activities, and proximity to your home are best done by visiting potential schools, while basic information like student performance, safe schools, access to technology and teacher quality can be found at Education First’s N.C. School Report Cards website. Developed to provide the big and small pictures for the many critical components of students’ educational experience, N.C. School Report Cards offers a comprehensive, “one-stop shop” for public school information.
So, regardless of your interest or need for primary or secondary school education, the abundance of universities and excellent public school systems make the Triad a top spot for education, culture and business. Whether you’re single or retired, the quality of education in the Triad has something for you.
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