3 minute read
EDUCATION
Jaide Mozingo, left, shares a laugh with Sydney Shearin as she helps her find a Google Docs folder during an AVID seminar on Jan. 16, 2019, at Nash County Early College High School. (File Photo)
EDUCATION is a priority
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By Amelia Harper
The Twin Counties offers a wide range of educational choices for families in Nash and Edgecombe counties.
The two public school districts, Nash County Public Schools and Edgecombe County Public Schools, serve most of the prekindergarten to grade 12 students in the area.
But alternative options exist as well.
Nash County Public Schools was formerly known as Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools until the name changed in July 2020. Though the school district is composed of schools in Nash County and most schools in the City of Rocky Mount, it is now primarily funded by the Nash County Board of Education. Because some of the Rocky Mount schools lie in Edgecombe County, Edgecombe County is a partial funder as well.
Nash County Public Schools serves roughly 15,000 students in a 591-squaremile area. The school district has 29 schools, including 16 elementary schools and six middle schools. However, three of the older elementary schools in the northern part of the county are slated for closure in the next two to three years. In their place, a new state-ofthe-art consolidated elementary school will be constructed in the Red Oak area.
The list of schools also includes four traditional high schools and an alternative high school for students who face challenges in a traditional setting. In addition, the school district has two innovative high schools: the Nash County Early College High School, which works in partnership with Nash Community College to help students earn an associate degree in addition to a high school diploma, and CITI High School, which offers students the opportunity to earn career certifications in addition to their diploma.
Nash County Public Schools also offers a Virtual Academy that allows students in K-12 to learn at home under the auspices of the public school district using a district-approved curriculum.
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Steve Ellis is the superintendent of Nash County Public Schools. Ellis joined the school district in March 2020 just prior to the closure of the classrooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Valerie Bridges is the superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools, which serves most students in Edgecombe County.
The Edgecombe County school district provides instruction to more than 6,000 students in 14 schools, including five elementary schools and four middle schools.
In addition, Martin Millennium Academy uniquely serves students in kindergarten through grade eight in a program designed to emphasize global strategies. Among these strategies is the option to begin the study of Spanish in an immersive program at an early age.
Edgecombe County Public Schools is recognized by state education leaders as one of the most innovative school districts and is known for its emphasis on equity in education, resiliency training and paths for teacher advancement. These ideals are reflected in its equity vision statement: “Edgecombe County Public Schools will be a place where opportunities are no longer predicted by social, cultural or economic factors.”
The Twin Counties also offers several nontraditional education options, including two charter schools, four private schools and a vibrant home school community.
Rocky Mount Preparatory School in Nash County is one of the oldest charter schools in the state. North East Carolina Prep in Tarboro is less than 10 years old but is steadily gaining momentum as one of the highest achieving schools in Edgecombe County.
While there are currently no private schools in Edgecombe County, Nash County is host to Rocky Mount Academy, a private secular school. In addition, there are several religious private schools, including Faith Christian School, New Life Christian Academy and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School.
With so many options to choose from, families in the Twin Counties are likely to find an educational setting that meets the needs of their children.
Cle’andria Boone, left, helps Zoey Watson with class work on Aug. 27, 2018, at Williford Elementary School. (File Photo)
Kenya Burden, right, teaches her fifth-grade class the 12 powerful words song on March 5, 2015, at Benvenue Elementary School. (File Photo)
