| Educating Our Children |  |
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 Public SchoolGuilford County Schools Stretching from the urban neighborhoods of Greensboro to the rural sections of the Piedmont, the Guilford County School System offers parents a variety of educational options. As the third-largest school district in North Carolina, Guilford County Schools is also the second-largest employer in the 12-county area, with more than 9,000 faculty and staff members. The district serves the communities of Greensboro, High Point, Stokesdale, Colfax, Summerfield, Gibsonville and Browns Summit and has an enrollment of more than 70,000 students in 116 schools. Twenty magnet schools offer specialized curriculum in addition to the standard course of study in areas including math and science, foreign languages, International Baccalaureate, communications and the arts. Magnet schools also include two Montessori schools, two year-round schools, four middle college high schools and an early college high school at Guilford College in Greensboro. Weaver Academy, a magnet school for the arts and technical/vocational studies, allows students from the other high schools in the district to take classes including drama, dance, television production and commercial food service. Serving disabled students to age 22, Gateway Education Center has been recognized for its programs for physically handicapped children, and McIver Education Center serves mentally challenged students between the ages of 5 and 22. Volunteers are making their presence known throughout the school district and come from a variety of sectors in the community. Each year, volunteers log almost 300,000 hours of service by reading, tutoring, mentoring and supporting students throughout the district. The business community and other organizations participate in the Partnerships in Education program, which encourages volunteerism in the schools. Other benefits that local businesses offer include internships, co-op programs and equipment for schools. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools With an enrollment of more than 48,000 students, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is the fifth-largest district in the state. Formed in 1963 through the merging of city and county school systems, the district is now composed of 41 elementary schools, 16 middle schools and 11 high schools. Six of these schools exclusively serve students with special needs. The district has recently adopted the “Schools of Choice” plan which allows parents to choose between the school near their residence and several other schools within the same zone. Zones vary for elementary, middle and high schools and also include magnet school options. J.D. Diggs Elementary and Hill Middle schools operate as magnet schools for visual and performing arts programs, including violin and dance. New technology in these schools also allows students to participate in music composition and film programs. The Downtown School is a magnet for students whose parents work in downtown Winston-Salem. Ashley Elementary and Paisley Middle have recently implemented the first International Baccalaureate curriculum in the school system. The IB program focuses on global awareness in addition to academic excellence. Alamance-Burlington School System With nearly 22,000 students, the Alamance-Burlington School System serves all of Alamance County including the communities of Burlington, Graham, Elon, Haw River, Green Level and Mebane. It is the 15th-largest school system in North Carolina and the second-largest employer in Alamance County with more than 2,700 full-time employees. The system includes 33 schools including 19 elementary schools, seven middle schools, six high schools, an alternative school and a new “middle college” school on the campus of Alamance Community College’s Graham campus, designed for high school juniors and seniors to take high school and college-level classes. The Alamance-Burlington School System has had continued success in increasing its average SAT scores, which have jumped from 965 in 2001 to 996 in 2006. Woodlawn Middle School was recognized as a School of Distinction and Graham High and Graham Middle schools were named Schools of Progress for the 2005-2006 school year. System Superintendent Dr. James G. Merrill was named North Carolina Superintendent of the Year by the North Carolina School Boards Association and the North Carolina Association of School Administrators in 2005. The award is a result of Merrill’s dedication to improving the academic environment in district schools, particularly at the high school level. Davidson County Schools With just over 20,000 students, Davidson County Schools serves all of Davidson County with the exception of Thomasville, which has an independent city school system. The district operates 16 elementary schools, six middle schools, six high schools, an extended-day/alternative school and Stoner-Thomas School, a special education school. The district’s Early College High School on the campus of Davidson County Community College provides advanced high school students the opportunity to take college-level classes as part of their high school curriculum. Students of the early college program graduate from high school with two years of college course credit. In response to the growth that is expected in the coming years, the district is planning to build several new schools within the next decade along with significant improvements and expansions to existing schools. Randolph County Schools With the exception of Asheboro, which operates its own city schools, Randolph County Schools serves all of Randolph County. Just over 18,000 students are enrolled in the district’s 28 schools – four high schools, seven middle school and 17 elementary schools. As the second-largest employer in the county, the district employs more than 2,000 full- and part-time employees. In 2006, 17 of the district’s 28 schools made Adequate Yearly Progress according to the No Child Left Behind Act, and five schools were named Honor Schools of Excellence. About 35 percent of Randolph County graduates go on to public or private four-year colleges and about 45 percent attend community colleges or trade schools. For more information about other public school districts in the Triad, see our Public Schools list above. PHOTO COURTESY OF FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PRIVATE SCHOOLS Bishop McGuinness High School offers students an exceptional high school experience with a well-rounded curriculum. The 42-acre campus includes a state-of-the-art media center, 300-seat chapel, computer graphics lab, performance stage, and an art, dance and music studio. Students can choose from 15 different sports at Bishop and more than 60 percent participate. Founded in 1772, Salem Academy is an all-girls college preparatory boarding and day school. The 64-acre campus includes science labs, the Salem Fine Arts Center, a health center, and athletic facilities and fields. The school enrolls about 200 girls in grades nine through 12. Since 1947, Immaculate Heart of Mary School is the only Catholic school in High Point. Instructing students in kindergarten through eighth grade, Immaculate Heart of Mary focuses on an education in the Catholic faith as well as a rigorous academic curriculum. About 200 students are enrolled at Immaculate Heart of Mary, which boasts a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. IHM accepts students of all faiths. Guided by Quaker beliefs, the New Garden Friends School strives to be an inclusive, innovative educational community honoring and developing each person’s gifts. Beginning in middle school, students can begin taking their electives, which can include photography, geocaching, cooking and more. Striving to educate the whole child, New Garden Friends School makes sure to include a wide range of field trips, sports, drama, Saturday programs, and morning and afternoon extended care. Throughout the summer the school offers a series of one-week thematic programs for children ages 5 through 12. At First Assembly Christian School in Winston-Salem, students are taught the Bible as God’s inspired Word and to develop attitudes of love and respect toward it. On a more personal level, the school aims to help each student develop his or her personality based on a proper understanding and acceptance of him or herself as a unique individual. Since 1970, Forsyth Country Day School has been helping to develop principled, well-rounded students who are prepared for life. The curriculum’s emphasis on character education helps students to develop those habits characterized by honesty, integrity, compassion, generosity and concern for the well-being of others. There are more than 47 athletic teams, including 14 different sports at Forsyth with a participation of 83 percent of students grades seven through 12. The mission of Caldwell Academy is to provide a classical and Christian education. Caldwell uses the Trivium education model, creating the goal of teaching students the proper use of the tools of learning. Built on the philosophy that friendship, scholarship, sportsmanship and honor are the foundation for strong character, Greensboro Day School maintains a tradition of superior education in a nurturing and caring environment. Located seven miles from downtown Greensboro on a beautiful 66-acre campus, Greensboro Day offers athletic fields, track and tennis courts. Each of the three divisions of the school has its own main building and facilities. Greensboro Montessori School serves more than 350 children from infant to middle school. Allowing each child to pace him or herself and discover the joy of learning as its own reward is a main goal of the Greensboro Montessori School. While the school stays close to Maria Montessori’s teachings for the curriculum, the specific mission of this school is to nurture creative, eager learners as they discover their full potential and become responsible, global citizens. The school offers a gardening program where students can learn to appreciate and understand the natural world. The main purpose of Guilford Day School is to serve students grades one through 12 who can benefit from an alternative approach to conventional education. With a low student-teacher ratio, caring parents and experienced instructors, students at Guilford Day are able to reach their full learning potential and develop self-esteem. Established in 1987, the school focuses on students with specific learning disabilities and attention disorders. The school even offers after-school tutoring, testing and summer programs for children who are not regular Guilford Day students. Oak Ridge Military Academy is a college preparatory school which provides an educational environment, encourages academic excellence, rewards self-discipline and develops leadership potential through student involvement in both curricular and co-curricular educational process. Cadets learn and practice by serving in different positions of responsibility. At Our Lady of Mercy, students are developed and honored spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, creatively and physically. With newly renovated classrooms designed for art, a science lab, Spanish and upper-grade math, students can enjoy state-of-the-art capabilities. The school also includes classrooms with wireless laptops helping to integrate computer skills into daily lessons. Located in Winston-Salem, Summit School is a progressive, coeducational school founded in 1933. The beautiful 28-acre campus that was once part of the R.J. Reynolds estate has 10 instructional buildings surrounded by gardens and fields. The state-of-the-art library, opened in 1998, includes three computer labs, a screening room that seats nine and a video production studio. The school enrolls 606 students. Westchester Country Day enrolls about 400 students in grades kindergarten through 12. With a 10-to-1 student-teacher ratio, students are encouraged to explore service and leadership opportunities within the school, community and their world. One hundred percent of graduating seniors go on to college every year. Over the past four years, Westchester graduates have received over $ 3.5 million in scholarship offers. Located in Greensboro, the American Hebrew Academy stands out as America’s only Pluralistic Jewish College Prep Boarding School. Students from all over the world come to the Academy to receive its 1:4 teacher-student ratio. Athletics are a huge part of the American Hebrew Academy with its $15 million, 88,000-square-foot facility. On its 100 wooded acres along a 22-acre lake, the Academy allows its students live and learn in an open environment. B’nai Shalom Jewish Day School creates an environment to accommodate its students’ interests and learning styles. With the use of laptops and personal computers, classes stimulate cross-disciplinary lessons. The school uses Jewish tradition to direct the curriculum, calendar and celebrations. Students study the Hebrew language and heritage, learning how to strengthen their Jewish identity. Canterbury School is a K-8 Episcopal day school. The mission of Canterbury School is to develop the whole child by challenging the mind and nourishing the spirit in a diverse community guided by Judeo-Christian values.
Public School Contacy Asheboro City Schools Private School Information Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School B’Nai Shalom Day School Caldwell Academy Canterbury School Forsyth Country Day School Greensboro Day School Greensboro Montessori School Guilford Day School New Garden Friends School Oak Ridge Military Academy Our Lady of Mercy School Salem Academy Triad Academy Westchester Academy |
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2006 SAT SCORES
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MATH
|
CRITICAL READING
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WRITING*
|
TOTAL
|
| Alamance-Burlington |
509
|
487
|
472
|
1468
|
| Asheboro City |
515
|
508
|
487
|
1510
|
| Caswell County |
465
|
443
|
451
|
1359
|
| Davidson County |
510
|
496
|
483
|
1489
|
| Davie County |
536
|
505
|
504
|
1545
|
| Elkin City |
525
|
495
|
485
|
1505
|
| Guilford County |
504
|
490
|
482
|
1476
|
| Lexington City |
443
|
441
|
430
|
1314
|
| Montgomery County |
468
|
441
|
432
|
1341
|
| Mount Airy City |
522
|
494
|
487
|
1503
|
| Randolph County |
506
|
472
|
468
|
1446
|
| Rockingham County |
510
|
479
|
472
|
1461
|
| Stokes County |
505
|
480
|
461
|
1446
|
| Surry County |
519
|
490
|
475
|
1484
|
| Thomasville City |
452
|
438
|
422
|
1312
|
| Wilkes County |
521
|
503
|
486
|
1510
|
| Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County |
516
|
516
|
487
|
1503
|
| Yadkin County |
512
|
487
|
475
|
1474
|
| North Carolina |
513
|
495
|
485
|
1493
|
| United States |
518
|
503
|
497
|
1518
|
|
* Writing section was added in 2005 and the total is based on all three sections.
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