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Triad Schools and Education
With more than 530,000 residents in the Triad region—and the population projected to continue rising in the coming years—the schools in the area are constantly faced with delicate balance of meeting the demands of growth while ensuring that students thrive in their school environments. The good news is that Triad schools have met this challenge head on and proudly boast of academic excellence. Here’s a little more about the educational opportunities that are present in the Triad for every age and stage in life.
Early education
Located in Greensboro, the Sunshine House provides loving, early childhood education that successfully meets the needs of families by offering infant, toddler, pre-kindergarten, and school-age programs, said Lee Dauby, communications office coordinator for the Sunshine House, which is for children 6 months to 12 years of age.
“These innovative programs, combined with a professional, loving staff, contemporary facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment, make the Sunshine House a leader in early childhood education,” said Dauby. “We pride ourselves on our family-like atmosphere, great customer service, and excellent programs for children.”
Staff members at the Sunshine House prepare students for grade school by tailoring a special curriculum to meet the needs of each child.
“The Sunshine House uses the Creative Curriculum as a framework for our educational programs,” said Dauby. “This nationally recognized curriculum stresses the importance of building relationships with children to build a strong foundation for life-long learning.
“Children who are socially and emotionally ready are confident, friendly, able to concentrate upon and persist at challenging tasks, effectively communicate, listen to instructions, are attentive, and control their emotions, such as frustration, anger, and joy,” Dauby added.
Independent Schools
Located on its original campus on Barbee Street in the center of High Point, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School (IHM) welcomes students of all faiths.
The preschool program is at the new IHM church campus on Johnson Street. IHM, which was founded in 1947, is High Point’s only Catholic school.
“IHM promotes an environment in which the teachings of Jesus are proclaimed and lived as basic core values,” said Wanda Garrett, principal at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School. “Through scripture, commandments, sacraments, liturgy and prayer, IHM helps students in kindergarten through eighth grade build a strong Christian foundation. Although the family is essential in building this foundation, the school takes an active, supporting role by enriching the students’ knowledge and worship of God and promoting love and care of their neighbors. Faith is fostered through a Prayer Partner program, Mass preparation, and outreach programs.”
The curriculum at IHM builds a strong academic foundation for life-long learning. The major focus is on the core curriculum, which includes math, language arts/grammar, science, social studies, and religion. IHM’s Encore Curriculum broadens the area of study for each student with instruction in Spanish, art, computer, music, library, and physical education. The latest technology enhances the basic curriculum.
“IHM epitomizes academic excellence with an exceptional core curriculum that is enhanced by instruction in the arts, foreign language, and technology,” said Garrett. “IHM students consistently excel in high school, attend prestigious universities, and succeed in demanding careers. With a focus on leadership and faith in action, they also grow to serve their communities and the world.”
Athletics play an important role in students’ education because they serve as positive outlet for competition, foster teamwork, and teach discipline. Recognizing that, IHM offers many sports for students, including basketball and volleyball (junior varsity and varsity; grades 5–8), cheerleading (grades 5–8), fencing (grades 6–8), softball (grades 6–8), and track (all grades).
“At IHM, it really is all about how you play the game,” said Garrett. “Winning is not the sole emphasis. Instead, the focus is on learning the intricacies of a sport while applying Christian values and good sportsmanship. Teams at IHM are coached by volunteer parents, teachers, and parish members who are dedicated to their sports and to the goal of helping create good sports.”
In addition to a quality faith-based education, IHM students are encouraged to participate in various clubs, such as the Chess Club, Computer Club, and Environmental Club.
“Student Council is in place and is active in the school, Mad Science is offered regularly after school, and choir is also offered after school at IHM,” said Garrett.
Public schools
Serving more than 50,000 students, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools consists of more than 70 schools, including 40 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, 11 high schools, and eight special schools.
If that seems like a lot of schools, it is. In fact, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is the fifth-largest system in North Carolina and the 94th largest in the nation, according to the schools system’s Web site at http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us.
Because this amazing growth is expected to increase in future, the school system is planning several construction projects to ensure that each child thrives in his or her school environment.
To help meet the growing need, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school board recently approved the purchase of land in the county for new elementary, middle, and high schools. The elementary and middle schools, to be located on the west side of Ebert Road, would be funded by the 2006 school bond; however, the school board would like to use just over $2 million of the $2.8 million remaining to help buy the land on the east side of Ebert Road, which is the proposed location of the new high school, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
Because the new high school was not originally earmarked as a construction project with the school bond money, the school board will need to seek approval from the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, who have the authority to release the money if they approve the request.
Serving more than 71,000 students, Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina, with 119 schools in its district, according to the school system’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.
Higher education
Education is a lifelong process, so whether you’re just starting your college career or are a non-traditional student who wants to attain a higher education, the Triad’s wealth of fantastic colleges and universities make it much easier for students to attain their educational goals.
And chances are, you can find the perfect curriculum for you because the Triad schools offer a wide range of disciplines, including accounting, biology, education, communications, mathematics, philosophy, music, African American studies, pre-law, nursing, computer science, engineering, animal science, political science, psychology, and a wide variety of languages.
The colleges and universities in the Triad also afford residents the opportunity to learn a new skill or hobby by taking a class or two through their continuing education program. Just some of the many classes include pottery or ceramics, dance, a new computer program, first aid and CPR, and knitting.
The Triad’s educational offerings include four-year and two-year institutions, such as Wake Forest University, N.C. A&T State University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, High Point University, Winston-Salem State University, Guilford College, Greensboro College, Guilford Technical Community College, and Bennett College.
And the skills and knowledge that students gain from graduating from any of these fine institutions are proving to be quite attractive to potential local employers because they don’t have to go very far to recruit talented employees.
“Guilford Technical Community College evolved from a small training center established in High Point in 1955 by sock makers and furniture upholsterers,” said Loren Hill, president of the High Point Economic Development Corp. “In 1957, High Point leaders who had been instrumental in establishing the training center lobbied the Guilford County Board of Commissioners for a larger, countywide center. Today Guilford Tech serves nearly 40,000 students annually. The college works closely with the High Point Economic Development Corp. to provide training to assist existing companies and to recruit new businesses to town.”
To meet the needs of the growing student body, several of the schools are investing in the school.
For instance, the High Point University Board of Trustees approved doubling the investment in the school from $110 to $225 million over the next three years—in academic programs, student life, scholarships, and the construction of new facilities, said Hill.
“City permits were issued for $41.3 million in construction projects in 2007 alone,” said Hill. “Fifty-nine jobs were created, bringing its full-time equivalent employee count to 325. Plus, the freshman class has doubled in size over the past two years, and today’s overall enrollment stands at 3,100 students.”
Just in the last two years, High Point University has already completed the construction of five new buildings and two stadiums, renovated 16 buildings, and acquired 40 acres of land, Hill added.
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