Schools

Erik Blake tries to listen to his heart beat with a stethoscope during career day at Spring Hope Elementary School in Spring Hope.

By Jenny White

Whether you’re a student just beginning in pre-school or a local professional looking for continuing education or an MBA, schools in the Twin Counties are ready and willing to help you reach any educational goal you set.

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools is a diverse school system with about 15,000 students and 28 schools. The school system is the largest employer in Nash County, with about 1,900 employees. Included in the NashRocky Mount school system is the Early College High School program on the campus of Nash Community College, which accepts high school students ready for a rigorous curriculum and graduates their seniors with several college transfer credits and an Associate Degree.

Edgecombe County Public Schools currently serve about 6,200 students in grades K-12. There are 12 schools in the Edgecombe school system, including an Early College High School that is located on the campus of Edgecombe Community College.

Elementary students in Nash and Edgecombe counties have opportunities to attend schools with a global-centered curriculum and Spanish Immersion programs. In Edgecombe County, Martin Millennium Academy is a Global Gateway school serving students in grades K-8. Through a partnership with Participate International Education, MMA offers a full Spanish Immersion program in elementary school, and a focus on different regions of the world at each grade level. Three elementary schools in Nash County offer a Spanish Immersion program,

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Middlesex, Bailey and Winstead Avenue elementary schools.

Both school systems offer advanced placement and honors programs, career-based academies and dual enrollment opportunities with the local community college. Rocky Mount High School offers the globally recognized International Baccalaureate Program which also offers college transfer credits.

In addition to the public schools in the area, there are several charter schools and private schools to help you meet the needs of students in your family.

Edgecombe County is home to the North East Carolina Preparatory School, located in Tarboro. Charter Schools are public schools that students may attend, regardless of where they live. Rocky Mount Prep is a charter school in Rocky Mount that accepts students in grades K-12.

Other school choices in Rocky Mount include the private school, Rocky Mount Academy, which serves about 400 students and boasts a lower student-teacher ratio than public schools. There are also three faithbased private schools, Faith Christian School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School and New Life Christian Academy. All serve preschool through 12th-grade students.

Many local students can attend public pre-schools, thanks to many state grants. There are also numerous tuition-based pre-schools throughout the Twin Counties. Down East Partnership for Children is a local non-profit organization that is devoted to early childhood education and can help you find a licensed preschool that best fits your family’s needs.

When it comes to setting a goal for a higher education degree, residents need to look no further than the Twin Counties.

More than 12,000 students throughout North Carolina have received their diplomas from N.C. Wesleyan College. The private, coeducational liberal arts college is a Methodist school and has a school population of about 1,200 students. It currently offers a master’s degree in criminal justice and several bachelor degree programs. The school offers traditional classes as well as online and evening classes for professionals seeking degrees.

The Twin Counties also benefits from two community colleges in the area that work as community partners in educating and training residents for the local workforce.

Enrollment continues to climb every year for Edgecombe Community College headquartered in Tarboro and Nash Community College with a large campus in Rocky Mount. Both schools are public, two-year, post secondary educational institutions and offer adult high school diplomas, college transfer classes, and degree, diplomas and professional certificates.

Both schools continue to grow and develop in response to the community’s educational needs.

Nash Community College recently developed an engineering program and continues to expand the campus to meet the growing student population.

“I am proud to say that Nash Community College has experienced sustained enrollment, and even seen some growth, despite tough

Winstead Avenue Elementary first-grader Preston Wiggs, 7, writes in his journal on in Tarnisha Langston’s class at the school.

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SCHOOLS

economic time and budget cuts. This summer, we will open two new buildings, and will launch two new regional programs in the fall. Our job is to respond strategically to regional needs, adding new programs and services when appropriate and committing to supporting student success,” NCC President Dr. Bill Carver said.

Edgecombe Community College continues to heed the needs of the community as well. When Triangle Tire announced plans to locate a manufacturing facility in Edgecombe county, ECC’s involvement and commitment to provide a training program and curriculum was an integral part of the deal.

At the time of the announcement, then-ECC President Dr. Deborah Lamm said, “The new advanced manufacturing center will enable college personnel to provide innovative pre-employment training for prospective employees and cutting-edge retooling and training for current employees to guarantee they meet the skill sets required by Triangle Tire. This modern, stateof-the-art facility will ensure the long-term success of Triangle Tire and its workforce.”

1) North East Carolina Prep School freshman Wilson Johnson, 15, left, embroiders lettering on the spring semester quilt that Susan Cloer’s Art I class is creating as freshman Melissa Coleman, 15, works on her batik panel for the quilt at the school. 2) Jaiyonni Moore, 6, left, reads a book to Miss Cameron in a tent for progress monitoring testing in the media center at Williford Elementary School. 3) Elizabeth Winstead, 15, left, Meghan Routhier, 15, center and Edward Barnhill, 15 look at a book together in the Commons, a new addition to campus at Rocky Mount Academy.

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They say that“everything you do can be done better from a place of relaxation,” and we believe at Belmont Lake Preserve this “place of relaxation”and your “lifestyle redefined” awaits.

Ranked by “Where to Retire” magazine as one of the Top 50 master planned communities in the United States, Belmont Lake Preserve and your lifestyle redefined starts with the incredible amenities offered that are unlike any other in the Rocky Mount and surrounding areas.

Whether your lifestyle redefined is playing a round of golf on our breathtaking David Johnson designed, award-winning 18 hole golf course, a quick dip to cool off in the communities’ indoor or outdoor pools or going for a late afternoon stroll to soak in an incredible sunset over our 80 acre lake, the next chapter in your life’s story is waiting to be told at Belmont Lake Preserve.

Our community is one built around lifestyle and with our resort style amenities, how you choose to redefine your lifestyle is up to you… The Community Clubhouse

• Indoor and Outdoor swimming pools • State-of-the-art Fitness Facility • Meeting, gathering and activity rooms • Full catering and dining facilities • Billiards Room

The Golf Clubhouse

• “The Main Course at Belmont” Restaurant • Indoor and Outdoor Dining areas • Full Pro Golf Shop • PGA Pro, Tim Wilke on Staff • Golf Lessons/Instruction Available

The Main Course at Belmont

• Featuring full breakfast, lunch, and dinner • Open to the public –(members and non-members) • Indoor and Outdoor dining areas • Open Tuesday- Sunday

Belmont Lake Golf Course

• Award winning 18-hole David Johnson Design course

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Spruce Up For Summer & The Upcoming Holidays!

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Viverette Furniture

140 N. W. Main Street Rocky Mount 446-6598

Open Mon.-Sat. 9:30 AM-6:00 PM

164

MILLION

Americans read a print newspaper each week

There is no TIVO for newspapers. There is no fast-forward button with a newspaper. There is no satellite, commercial-free newspaper. Our readers buy our products for

There is no TIVO for newspapers. There is no fast-forward button with a newspaper. There is no satellite, commercial-free newspaper. Our readers the news AND the advertising. And we have their trust. There is no TIVO for newspapers. There is no fast-forward button with a newspaper. There is no satellite, commercial-free newspaper. Our readers buy our products for the news AND the advertising. And we have their trust.buy our products for the news AND the advertising. And we have their trust.

78% 71% 66% of adults with college of adults with household degrees regularly consume income over 100K read newspaper content newspaper content

There is no TIVO for newspapers. There is no fast-forward button with a 78% 71% 66% of local newspaper newspaper. There is no satellite, commercial-free newspaper. Our readers of adults with college of adults with household readers say they are likely to make a purchase after seeing an ad buy our products for the news AND the advertising. And we have their trust. There is no TIVO for newspapers. There is no fast-forward button with a newspaper. There is no satellite, commercial-free newspaper. Our readers degrees regularly consume newspaper content income over 100K read newspaper content buy our products for the news AND the advertising. And we have their trust. of local newspaper readers say they are likely to make a purchase after seeing an ad

78% 252-446-516171% 66% of adults with college of adults with household degrees regularly consume income over 100K read newspaper content newspaper content

78% 71% 66% of adults with college of adults with household degrees regularly consume newspaper content income over 100K read newspaper content of local newspaper readers say they are likely to make a purchase after seeing an ad

of local newspaper readers say they are likely to make a purchase after seeing an ad 252-446-5161

252-446-5161

252-446-5161

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Tarboro Conservatory of Music

Alex is performing at Carnegie Hall for the fifth time!

MUSIC LESSONS Piano - Guitar - Voice

Gustave, Carol and Randy Ferri Teachers-Directors

Gustave Ferri, Vice President of Rocky Mount Piano Teachers Association

Carol Ferri, Recital Chairperson of Rocky Mount Piano Teachers Association

Recitals - Auditions Competitions

912 North Main Street Tarboro, NC 27886 (201) 230-7979 (201) 919-1089

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