Education
Learning Alliance
Schools and businesses join forces in educational partnership
Residents and businesses in Greenbrier County take great pride in their public school system. They have supported school levies for more than 50 years, with the most recent levy passing in 2003 with an 81% approval rate. Currently, 84 businesses participate in an active "Partners in Education" program in which schools and businesses are linked in mutually beneficial, one-on-one relationships.
The implementation of the Middle School Educational Concept is underway, with a full transition scheduled for the 2005-2006 school year. When realized, the county's high schools will include grades 9-12 and the junior high schools grades 6-8. The County is mandated by federal policy to have a pre-K 4-year-old program at each school by the year 2012.
On July 1, 2003, The Greenbrier Community College became one of four major campuses of New River Community and Technical College, essentially serving southeastern and south central West Virginia. Students may choose from 18 associate degree programs and seven certificate programs ranging from general business to emergency management, nursing and liberal arts studies. The Greenbrier Valley campus also serves as the hub of the college's rapidly expanding online course program.
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine educates primary care osteopathic physicians for rural, underserved communities. The school is dedicated first and foremost to service for West Virginia and prepares graduates for the special health care needs of the elderly. WVSOM's affiliated on-campus clinic - the Robert C. Byrd Clinic -- is currently undergoing a renovation that will double the size of the existing facility and will add a Geriatrics wing. WVSOM, which has a $42 million dollar economic impact on the Greenbrier Valley, also serves the educational needs of the community through seminars and on-campus science enrichment programs for the county's public schools.
Following is a look at Greenbrier's elementary, junior and high schools:
Elementary Schools: All 10 elementary schools in Greenbrier County are equipped with computers and "learning enhancement" software programs. Many schools use whole language and integrated instruction strategies to accelerate learning. Curriculum emphasis on the development of basic skill competencies has yielded great success stories as Lewisburg Elementary School has been designated as a national "Blue Ribbon" school. Significant renovations and additions have taken place at White Sulphur Springs Elementary School, while a new Ronceverte Elementary school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2004.
Junior High School: Completed in 1992, Eastern Greenbrier Junior High School in Fairlea is a state-of-the-art facility offering programs for the gifted and handicapped, satellite courses in languages, and vocational-technical programs. Rupert's new Western Greenbrier Junior High School opened in 2000.
High School: The county has two consolidated high schools - Greenbrier East in Fairlea and Greenbrier West in Charmco. The schools offer college preparatory programs, vocational-technical, general and special education programs that meet the needs of all students, including those of the gifted and handicapped. Both schools have strong extra curricular programs and consistently excel in sports and music. Greenbrier East is undergoing significant renovations that will greatly enhance its campus.
Private Schools: There are three private schools in Greenbrier County that offer a Christian-based curriculum; Seneca Trail Christian Academy and Rainelle Christian Academy provide K-12 instruction while Greenbrier Episcopal School offers classes for kindergarteners through fifth graders.
For more information, visit each school's individual web site via http://boe.gree.k12.wv.us/
You may also visit the West Virginia Department of Education online at http://wvde.state.wv.us
