DOWNLOADABLE PDF: Roanoke Valley Educational Institutions – By The Numbers
What makes the school systems in and around the Roanoke Valley great? Who better to ask than the people who have experienced the excellence first-hand?
From teachers to former students and principals to superintendents, we asked for input on the top five qualities of each school system in the area. Dedicated teachers, a supportive community and emphasis on the importance of a good education seemed to be a common theme – certainly good qualities to possess.
Roanoke City Schools
Samantha Von Hoene, a new teacher at Madison Middle School
1. Student population, in general, is the coolest thing about this district. It’s a small district compared to where I came from in Houston, but there’s so much diversity with students from all over the country who are in Roanoke for different reasons and all have unique experience. In Houston, most of the students had come from Central American countries and Mexico and had similar backgrounds.
2. The people – staff, faculty, teachers, central office staff – are very hands on and ready to listen. When I took a trip to Africa with a group from Carilion and Jefferson College of Health Sciences to do public health work and education outreach, they helped with the whole process of planning for my absence. And when I came back, I thought I might have to do some re-teaching, but they had hardly skipped a beat.
3. Roanoke City is like a small town with big ideas. The city is very forward thinking for being a smaller district, even looking at what can be done to make an impact beyond Roanoke. We use a lot of technology – projectors, laptops, computer labs and online interactive programs.
4. We have very active parents and community involvement. I’m impressed with the activity bus, which allows kids who normally wouldn’t be able to stay after school for sports or other extracurricular activities to do so. It takes a village, and we’re all doing some very positive things.
5. Everyone is open-minded. The answer to something is never “no,” it’s “let’s see how we can make this work.” We get fast response on requests for supplies, as people are very motivated to help teachers get what they need for the classroom. Our science field trip was going to cost $10, which was too high, so the PTA jumped in and said it would cover $5 per student.
Roanoke County Schools
Liza Rosa, a senior at Hidden Valley High School and president of the Student Advisory Council
1. The camaraderie among students at all schools is great. We can lay aside any rivalries and come together for good causes. Students have held fundraisers for Kendall Bayne, a classmate who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and participated in activities to support student Lindsay Nanz, who underwent a liver transplant.
2. Our administrative staff is very approachable. You see them at games, the grocery store, and if you need to talk to them, you know you’ll see them at a school function. They are very good at taking care of problems when you ask them to.
3. A lot of schools are focused on AP students, dual enrollment and test scores, but Roanoke County Schools focus on making sure everyone is doing well and getting a good education. It’s more about quality than quantity.
4. We have expanded opportunities through the Burton Center for Arts and Technology and Governor’s School. They don’t limit us to our core subjects; we’re able to choose what we want to do.
5. Roanoke County Schools never settle. They are always looking at ways to improve education and help us prepare for the real world. It seems like at every school board meeting, they are talking about ways to make things better for the students, such as online textbooks. Block scheduling and the 10-point grading scale that was implemented makes it easier for students to transition to college.
Salem City Schools
Jerrel Ledbetter, a graduate of Salem High School and current student at William & Mary College
1. The City of Salem maintains a strong focus on education. The school system is important to the local government, and they do their best to appreciate the work of the faculty, staff and students. The motto “Children First” definitely shows in the City Council’s involvement with the local schools.
2. The teachers are not just teachers, but they also play other roles in the community. Many of the teachers that I have had played active roles in religious organizations and volunteered at programs that the school did not sponsor. The teachers are not just people that students see in the classroom, but also people that work to improve their local surroundings.
3. I have also had nothing but positive experiences with the staff at Salem City Schools. Custodial workers, librarians and the administrative staff have been some of the nicest people I have met at Salem. They are willing to help, regardless of whether the person is a student or the principal. The staff is also very encouraging towards students, and they always have words of support.
4. The resources in classrooms are very nice, especially for a district of our size. The use of technology in Salem City Schools has continued to grow, and it has often surprised me when I heard about how much had changed between when I had a class and when my brothers (differences of two and four years) took those same classes.
5. The surrounding community plays a key role in Salem City Schools. People without kids in the school system still attend both football games and plays. The citizens of Salem do what they can to support Salem City Schools, so I want to thank them all for every school event they have attended and every tub of cookie dough they have bought in support of us students.
Botetourt County Schools
Janet Womack, principal at Lord Botetourt High School
1. Our students are great. Botetourt County Schools offer students many opportunities and programs. Student achievement across the county reflects a student population that is motivated to succeed.
2. Our community is supportive and dedicated to providing a strong education for students in Botetourt County. Business partnerships and investment in the future of our school system is a valuable part of our success.
3. Our faculty and staff are caring and dedicated to training students for the future. Teachers and staff members work with students in the classroom, in athletic opportunities, and in many service-oriented ways. Our employees are dedicated to train and nurture students in education.
4. Our parents are great! Parents’ involvement is key to academic success and a supportive environment for students. Our parents are dedicated to supporting school programs, and they volunteer many hours to provide opportunities to the students and the community.
5. The Botetourt County School Board and the Board of Supervisors have a positive working relationship that results in support for our school system. Leaders work together to maintain a quality school system in challenging times. This relationship reflects a loyalty to promoting excellence in education and providing opportunities for the students.
Franklin County Schools
Dr. Charles Lackey, superintendent of Franklin County Schools
1. We’ve achieved one of the highest academic levels in this area at one of the lowest costs. Because we have one of the lowest tax rates in the state, we’ve had no choice but to keep finances low, but we haven’t let that keep us from performing academically. We could not have achieved what we did if we didn’t have the best teachers, bus drivers, custodial workers, maintenance teams and other staff.
2. Our schools excel on a national level. Rocky Mount Elementary School was named a 2011 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education based on overall academic excellence. Advanced Placement (AP) scores tripled at Franklin County High School, and the school won an award as one of the best in the nation. Our schools also have been accredited for the last 30 years.
3. The work ethic in Franklin County Schools has been appreciated by significant people. The presidents of community colleges in Martinsville and Roanoke told me our students’ work ethic is among the best they see. There’s something about agricultural country, where we help our neighbor and support the community, that is carried on by our students as they move on to other opportunities. They have the reputation of being well prepared.
4. We have the lowest percentage of special education students in the state because of our RTI (Response to Intervention) program. It is a significant effort to identify those that could become special education students and use supportive services to keep them from being labeled.
5. The Center for Efficient Design (CEED) building at the Leonard A. Gereau Center, funded from non-general fund sources, is an innovative facility that’s all about energy and efficiency. It features the latest in wind systems, solar panels, environmental design and rainwater harvesting. CEED is open for eighth grade programs, as well as to the public, community service agencies and vendors.
